June 2023

Vietnam Plus

The EU firms have an especially advantageous position to enter Vietnam’s food processing market due to the close trade ties between Vietnam and the bloc, as well as a favourable image of European products among Vietnamese consumers, according to Vietnam Briefing news site.

Channel NewsAsia

Though local food produce costs more than imported ones, Ms Doreen Chan still believes she is getting more bang for her buck by buying local, as they are “fresher” and “better in quality”. “I like hydroponic vegetables because they are much cleaner to me,” said the 76-year-old, who works in the healing services industry. “I get local eggs too, like Seng Choon eggs, which I find to be fresher than imported eggs. They’re more expensive, by a dollar or so, but the quality of local produce is so much better.”

Bangkokpost.com

The Internal Trade Department says the droughts caused by the El Niño weather phenomenon have yet to affect the prices of local goods.

NST Online

Jakarta: The Asean Food Security Reserve Board (AFSRB) convened a meeting on June 7 in Bogor district, Indonesia’s West Java province, to address food-related challenges such as the food crisis, El Nino and food reserves.

Bangkokpost.com

Thailand’s future food industry is projected to grow 5% this year, driven by emerging trends and increasing demand for healthier and more environmentally friendly food options.

XinhuaNet.com

While worries about a possible recession have led to shrinking consumer buying power, the food and beverage businesses in Vietnam remain optimistic about their performance this year, Vietnam News reported on Monday.

The Malay Mail

The local halal food sector is seen to be growing as sales of halal food is expected to reach RM50 billion this year, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar. He said in efforts to become the centre of the global halal industry, the government has introduced various initiatives aimed at improving the quality of halal products and attracting more foreign investments to Malaysia.

BusinessWorld

The Philippines needs to produce about 2.4 to 2.5 million metric tons (MT) of sugar to be considered self-sufficient, a Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) official said. “Maybe we need to produce about 2.4 to 2.5 million metric tons to be called self-sufficient. So, our (objective) is really how to make the farmers improve their production,” SRA Acting Administrator and Chief Executive Officer Pablo Luis S. Azcona said at a Laging Handa briefing on Wednesday.

Daily Tribune

Entering the lucrative halal market among Islamic countries may become easier through the 19th edition of the Malaysia International Halal Showcase which is touted as a gateway for global businesses seeking to access the fast-growing global industry.

Vietnam Plus

Nearly 160 Vietnamese food producers are displaying their products at Thaifex Anuga 2023 in Thailand – the largest food and beverage trade show in Asia for retailers, supermarkets, hotels, and restaurants to introduce the latest products and innovations in the food and beverage industry.

BusinessWorld

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) needs to build resilience against future public health crises by raising investment in health and nutrition, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said. “Providing adequate healthcare services within and across the ASEAN community is a challenge, given interconnections of access to healthcare for everyone with poverty, water and sanitation, as well as with peace, stability, and governance,” the ADB said in a report.

FoodNavigator Asia

The Malaysian Ministry of Health (KKM) has released a statement seeking public opinion to update the local statutes governing food safety and quality of milk products in the country, citing concerns of fraudulent or unsafe products falling through the cracks.