Thai company launches vegetarian ready-to-eat meals
expanded its frozen ready-to-eat meals line with the launch of a
line of vegetarian meals, claimed to be the first product of its
type on the market in Thailand. The company is also aiming to start
exporting the meals to the US, Europe and Australia.
The meals, which will be marketed under the Spa brand, are being targeted at growing demand for processed vegetarian foods in both Thailand and exports markets around the world. The company's Spa brand is currently being developed in attempt to expand the food business.
Managing director Nattanee Ratichon believes that the ready meals will serve a growing market for healthier foods that can be prepared quickly and easily and that do not involve any animal products.
The ready-to-eat meals are produced at the company's facility in Ayutthaya, situated about 100km north of Bangkok. The factory will supply a number of Thailand's leading supermarket chains, which will carry up to six varieties of the ready-to-eat meals in 350 - 400 gram packs.
The company also produces a range of other vegetarian foods, including artificial poultry, fish, lamb and prawn dishes aimed at the premium end of the market. In a number of Asian and Chinese cuisines, such soy-based dishes are manufactured to resemble the respective meats.
Although the Pan Group specialises in the manufacturer of shoes, Nutrition House was set up ten years ago as a division of the group focusing its attentions on vegetarian foods. Initially the company served the large domestic market for vegetarian foods, but in recent years the company has started to expand into the growing markets in Europe and the US.
Company director Nattanee Ratichon told the Bangkok Post she is hoping the company will also be able to target the US and Europe with the new line of meals. "We see a huge potential for our frozen vegetarian meals in both Europe and the US, where the popularity of Thai food is growing," she said.
Ratichon added that Nutrition House was sending sample meals to agents in countries such as Germany, UK, the US and Australia, where she is expected that its products should be well established within the next two years.
Currently Nutrition House is expanding rapidly on the back of strong domestic sales. During this financial year the company is expecting sales to grow by THB430 million (€8.46m).
