Trend Tracker: Coca-Cola Japan and trends in food industry advances, alternative meat and more feature in our round-up
Holistic health and sustainability to drive future food industry advances, says IFF
Holistic health and sustainability are the top two opportunities for food manufacturers to tap into, according to IFF.
The firm revealed this prior to a talk at Gulfood Manufacturing Foodtech Summit, Dubai World Trade Centre on October, 30.
FoodNavigator-Asia spoke to IFF’s Karen Stanton, the global marketing and branding director, and Mamdouh Seoudy, Middle East business development and marketing manager who told us the health trend was taking precedence.
No meat, no worries: Food security to drive growth of alternative meat trend in China
While ethical, environmental and health concerns may be the main drivers of alternative and plant-based meat products globally, in China the most important trend is food security, according to a new report.
China is home to 1.4 billion people and is the world’s largest market for meat, consuming 86 million tons annually - more than twice the amount eaten in the US.
Meat consumption (poultry, pork, beef, veal) in China have grown from 42kg per capita in 2000 to a projected 48kg per capita in 2019, said the Fitch Solutions agribusiness team, which produced the report.
Seasonal shine: Coca-Cola Japan’s ILOHAS releases white grape flavoured fruity water
Coca-Cola Japan’s natural mineral water and fruit-flavoured water brand ILOHAS has launched a new white grape flavoured water in the country, in tandem with the autumn season.
The autumn months in Japan are from September to November, and grapes are considered a seasonal fruit in the country.
“White grapes [are the] seasonal food of autumn in Japan, [so] we thought of using this to [bring the taste of Japanese autumn] to consumers,” a Coca-Cola Japan spokeswoman told FoodNavigator-Asia in a statement.
The ‘fresh taste’ of the drink is also one of its major marketing points, with Coca-Cola Japan emphasising that it ‘makes one feel like they are drinking freshly squeezed grapes’, and that it is ‘sweet and refreshing but not so sweetened that it cannot be drank’.
Convenience, cost and clean label key for Middle East success - Ingredion
Consumers in Middle East are increasingly more willing to try out new trends, but demands for convenience at an affordable price can pose a challenge for manufacturers.
According to data from Euromonitor International, the Middle East and North African food and beverage sector is predicted to achieve 7.4% annual growth over the next three years.
Esen Kural, the business development manager at Ingredion Middle East, said keeping up with the pace of change could be a challenge.
These include “the increasing demand for convenience products that fit into the needs of a busy lifestyle away from the home, to the challenges facing more indulgent categories such as dairy, where ingredients like fat, protein and milk can be subject to fluctuating price and supply.”
QR and AR: How smarter packaging can appeal to Middle East’s younger consumers
The Middle East’s growing younger population is driving consumption of packaged food and beverage products, with firms turning to new packaging innovations to entice this lucrative market.
The F&B growth rate in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) is second only to Asia, and ahead of Europe and the Americas.
This means manufacturers are exploring new packaging solutions that can attract the attention of the younger consumer, while not compromising on quality and safety.
Abdelghany Eladib, chief operating officer, Middle East & Africa at SIG Combibloc Obeikan FCZO, told us these consumers wanted more digital engagement and product transparency.
“(Consumers) are demanding better food safety and assurance and seeking more tailored and engaging content from brands,” he said.
