Trend Tracker: Asian megatrends, gulf exports, edible insects and organic momentum revealed
Six Asian food system megatrends revealed by Cargill…and the opportunities they offer food firms
A new research report has identified six megatrends in food systems in Asia, along with several opportunities and recommendations for companies and policymakers in managing these.
The report, Separate Tables: Bringing Together Asia’s Food Systems, was a joint piece of research by The Economist Intelligence Unit and Cargill, with the aim of providing regional context about food systems in Asia.
It also sets the scene for follow-up reports on more specific critical issues that Asian food systems will face from now until 2030.
Find out the megatrends identified by the report.
Similar eating habits and taste profiles: Why Pakistani food find success in the Middle East
Pakistani food and beverage manufacturers are increasingly leveraging on the similar food trends and eating habits that they share with the local population in order to find success Middle East markets.
Pakistan’s food exports surged 21.7% from July last year to February this year, reaching US$2.84 billion, according to the country’s bureau of statistics.
The GCC region is one of the major buyers of Pakistani food products.
In an interview with FoodNavigator-Asia, Rafiq Rangoonwala, president of Pakistan Food Association (PFA) revealed that frozen food, rice, flatbread, and spices were some of the key products exported to the GCC.
Deep freeze: Demographic changes spur Japan supermarket to target frozen food growth
Supermarket chain Ito-Yokado hopes to grow its frozen food category by 10% with the launch of new frozen meals and side-dishes.
Ito-Yokado is a member of convenience chain store Seven & i Holdings – which manages convenience stores, department stores, and specialty stores.
It recently launched the brand “EASE-UP”, which consists of 14 frozen meals and side-dishes, including sushi, clams, noodles, and meat. The frozen food can be consumed after stir frying, boiling or microwaving.
Changing social demographics was the main reason that pushed the demand for frozen products, a spokesman said.
Original or Angry Sichuan? ‘World’s first’ silkworm powder snack launches on the Chinese market
Bella Pupa, touted as the world’s first silkworm powder snack, has been launched in China as a ‘sustainable and nutritious product’ benefitting from the availability of 500.000 tons of silkworm farmed in the country each year.
Typically, the makers of processed food containing bugs mostly use crickets and mealworms from farms in Canada, USA, Netherlands and Thailand.
But now manufacturer Bugsolutely has tapped into the potential of silkworms.
Silkworms are a byproduct of the silk industry, and they are fed only with leaves from mulberry trees – resulting in a perfect circular economy.
Two-thirds of UAE consumers buy organic foods more than once in a month: YouGov Survey
61% of consumers from the UAE buy organic food more than once in a month, according to a survey conducted by YouGov and commissioned by Arla Foods.
In addition, 38% of consumers said they have bought more organic food in the last 12 months compared to the previous year.
1,000 individuals responded to the online survey conducted in February. The findings were revealed last week (September 19), a few days before the International Organic Day (September 22).
