Industry Trends
January 2024
See what has been happening in Asia’s food and beverage industries over the last weeks. What are experts and industry magazines talking about?
What has been happening?
Alcohol-free, vitamin-enriched beer “that makes you healthier”, Regeneratively farmed products, Peach is 2024’s flavour of the year, and more. Find out what journals and industry experts have been discussing in the last four weeks.
Latest Industry Articles
Thrive unveils alcohol-free, vitamin-enriched beer “that makes you healthier”
Belgium-based beer company Thrive launches a healthy beer, Thrive Play, that contains ten vitamins, including 50% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin D3 and all B vitamins per can. With the new beer, the company aims to expand its target audience beyond people doing sports, for which it previously developed an alcohol-free sports beer with 10 g of protein per serving.
Regeneratively farmed products predicted to eclipse organic food sales
Matthews Cotswold Flour MD Bertie Matthews is a huge advocate of regenerative agriculture ‘ but what exactly is it and how does it differ from organic farming?.
Peach is 2024’s flavour of the year: Chosen to inspire community, kindness and comfort
It’s expected to be a year of blush ‘ with dsm-firmenich declaring Peach+ as its 12th annual Flavour of the Year, inspired by Pantone’s Colour of the Year, Peach Fuzz.
Entering the limelight: Three emerging categories to watch for food industry growth in 2024
As the Asia Pacific food and beverage steadily moves out of the shadow of the pandemic, geopolitical instability and inflationary pressures ‘ we believe that these three emerging categories will come into their own in 2024.
UN FAO produces end-of-year guide to equitable nutrition and climate change mitigation
The Food Systems Countdown to 2030 Initiative (FSCI) is calling for equitable access to healthy diets that mitigate the impact of climate change, following the publication of its latest study.
Unilever unlocks healthier foods with positive nutrition standards for reformulation
Unilever calls for the food industry to broaden the scope of product formulation beyond ingredient restrictions, following the results of a recent study conducted by its Unilever Foods Innovation Centre in Wageningen, the Netherlands. The study highlights the potential impact of the company’s Positive Nutrition Standards, which are defined to increase the consumption of recommended ingredients and nutrients and align with a healthy, sustainable diet.
Probiotic-infused cream cakes adds dollop of health to Fonterra’s bottom line
Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd has reported a strong start to the year, driven by the success of new products for various markets, such as a cake containing probiotics for China and a protein-packed adult milk powder that targets muscle loss in Japan.
12 of the best breakfasts ideas for the DASH diet, one of the healthiest ways to eat
Eggs, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains help to make up a DASH-friendly breakfast. The DASH diet promotes low-sodium meals with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Eggs, oats, whole-wheat toast, and yogurt with fruits or veggies make up a DASH-approved breakfast. Wraps, smoothies, overnight oats, and parfaits are great on-the-go options for breakfast. Avocado toast with salmon and arugula is a protein-packed breakfast idea.
Cheaper alternative? Consumer market gravitating towards functional beverages as spending tightens
Functional beverage is becoming a cheaper alternative to health supplement as consumers tighten their budget amid the current microeconomic environment, according to the observations of functional ingredients distributor Brenntag.
Sugarless Sweet: New liquid sweetener brand Zerup can help more beverages go zero-sugar in compliance with Singapore Nutri-Grade
New liquid sweetener brand Zerup believes its products will open new avenues for more beverages in Singapore to go zero-sugar with no compromise on taste, helping firms to comply with the local Nutri-Grade requirements more easily.
Kalsec expands global reach in Singapore to facilitate innovation and sustainability
Provider of natural ingredient solutions, Kalsec, has expanded its international presence with the inauguration of its new Finishing and Distribution Centre in Singapore. This move is set to enhance the company’s services to food and beverage brands and manufacturers worldwide, offering a range of natural taste and sensory, color, food protection, and hops solutions.
“Marine breadbasket”: China’s new plan for offshore fish farming amid climate threats
China has announced plans to expand its offshore aquaculture operations to ensure food security and adapt to climate change. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, together with the Ministry of Natural Resources, released guidelines this week that detail strategies for transforming the nation into a “marine breadbasket.”
‘Point of difference’: Aussie organic formula firm Nutura Organic to debut in Thailand via CP Foods partnership
Australian infant and adult milk formula firm Nutura Organic will be making its debut in Thailand through a distribution deal with major Thai food producer CP Foods.
Inside Symrise’s food tech hub: Diving into sustainable flavor concepts in Singapore
Symrise has launched its “Enhanced Naturals @SPark” facility in Singapore, where the German taste and nutrition house is leading new developments in natural flavor craft, rescuing upcycled ingredients from waste side streams. It is also focusing on the biotransformation of food solutions through precision fermentation.
Countering counterfeits: Japan establishes first physical facility to find fake food ‘exports’ in Thailand
Japan has set up a physical anti-counterfeit consultation desk in Thailand to fight against a rising number of food and agriculture products claiming to be of Japanese origin.
FiE 2023: Infant formula ingredients “grow up” into broader applications amid lower birth rates
Staple infant nutrition ingredients like demineralized whey and galactooligosaccharide (GOS) fiber are finding fresh applications in food and beverages for the wider population, such as cheese, confectionery, prebiotic drinks and sports nutrition. The category expansion comes as birth rates in China have slowed, and breastfeeding rates worldwide have increased.
Vietnam: Drought And Salinity In The Mekong Delta Threatens Food Security
The Mekong Delta in South Vietnam has been the country’s rice granary for generations, feeding more than 20 million people today. But climate change resulting in droughts and salinity of the river-fed waters is now threatening food security.
Starbucks Thailand Raises Beverage Prices Due to Production Costs
Starbucks (Thailand) announced on Thursday that it is raising the prices of its drinks by 5 baht starting January 4, 2024. This price adjustment has been effective in all channels, including storefronts and online orders through various platforms such as Lineman and Grab. The American coffee chain cited a higher production cost. “This price adjustment is due to the current economic situation. Operating expenses and management have continued to increase throughout the past period.
Major PHL sustainability trends in 2024
Sustainability is no longer a mere buzzword but an indispensable guiding principle steering global practices toward a more ecologically conscious future. From innovative technologies to community-driven initiatives, the world is witnessing a remarkable surge in sustainable trends that echo a collective commitment to addressing climate change and environmental degradation.
Chiang Mai Researchers Identify New Edible And Medicinal Mushrooms
Russula pseudomodesta and Russula sribuabanensis are edible mushrooms that have long been used as wild food, but their scientific names have not been correctly identified. A team of researchers from the Center of Excellence for Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, has discovered these two new Russula species (Russulaceae, Russulales) from northern Thailand.
Philippines extends tariff cuts on imported rice, other food items to fight inflation
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved the extension of reduced tariffs on rice and other food items until the end-2024 to keep prices stable amid a threat of dry weather in the coming months, his office said on Tuesday. The modified rates first approved in 2021 had already been extended this year due to high inflation …
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