South Korean food giant Nongshim remains optimistic for the prospects of its plant-based meat alternative brand Veggie Garden, believing that the sector still has a bright future in the South East Asian region and especially Thailand.
The Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) has expressed cautious optimism in the country’s food self-sufficiency rates, after a couple of years of stable production and import numbers.
Japanese beverage major Kirin Group has seen its launch of a new beer brand as well as investments into functional beverage innovation and overseas whiskey expansion bear fruit in the first quarter of 2024.
The Japanese government has declared that all international markets should lift ‘all restrictions and other measures’ on Japanese food exports that were previously affected by the Fukushima nuclear powerplant disaster.
The South Korean government has revealed instant noodles (ramen), confectionery and processed rice-based products as the key categories leading food export growth for the country in 2024.
Morinaga Milk Industry has launched a series of functional foods across yogurt, sachet powder, milk formula, and fermented drinks to support the nutritional needs of Japan’s rapidly ageing population.
Singapore-based Jääde is actively strengthening its presence in the local market for its packaged Finnish spring water, while working to expand across the region in the long run.
New data from Japan’s most recent consumer diet and lifestyle survey has revealed that product affordability and local origins are the most important drivers for Japanese consumers when it comes to making food purchases.
The South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has named the 11 top-performing food and beverage firms in the country for 2023, with the first and second rankings going to CJ Cheiljedang and Lotte respectively.
South Korea’s domestic demand for red ginseng has slowed down in the past year, but the sector is seeing opportunities overseas, especially in neighbouring East Asian countries and Vietnam.
Japanese adults in their 20s and 30s are most interested in personalised nutrition as compared to the other age groups, a survey conducted by Suntory-backed start-up Rem3dy Health has found.
Indian brand Swizzle, which was founded in Bengaluru as a mocktail kit delivery firm in 2019 and is now available in 1,500 stores nationwide, is aiming to launch across APAC with its ready-to-drink (RTD) mocktails.
South Korea believes that its inclusion in the European Union’s list of antimicrobial-compliant markets will give it a leg up in securing a larger share of the animal-based products market as well as future trade negotiations.
China dairy giant Yili has ventured into the ready-to-drink (RTD) tea segment with an entirely new product concept dubbed the ‘instant brewed tea’ under its INIKIN brand as it looks to capture a new base of local consumers.
Vitamin D supplementation improved body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and other health markers for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), indicating its potential for managing PCOS-related metabolic dysfunctions, a study finds.
India snack specialist Farmley has revealed new data showing that makhanas and dry fruits are popular across generations, with chocolate and vanilla flavours among the top favourites in its 2024 Healthy Snacking Report.
The designer of Suntory’s internationally successful BOSS RTD coffee brand has revealed how empathy and metaphorical references have been crucial to the long-lasting and widespread growth of the 32 year-old brand across the world.
Japan beverage giant Asahi has seen significant growth in its RTD alcoholic beverages category as well as the South East Asian market as major contributors to profitability over the past six months, despite negative impacts from Oceania sales.
Spain-headquartered edible oils firm Aceites Naturales Del Sur (ANDS) is looking to set foot into China, where avocado oil is gaining interest from the younger population despite a lack of product awareness and availability in the market.
Chinese dairy brand Shiny Meadow has launched an upgraded version of its fresh milk product, which contains higher protein and calcium content, to meet evolving consumer needs.
AI-powered food fingerprint platform ProfilePrint has emphasised its complementary role to humans in ensuring quality and safety as it expands its portfolio to include wet ingredients including oils and alcohol.
Chinese snacking heavyweight Three Squirrels says constant innovation is required to retain consumer interest, with the firm doubling-down on domestic growth ambitions in the country's buoyant sector.
The South Korean government has announced new regulations mandating food and beverage firms to indicate portion size changes and any sweetener usage on their product labels.
Danone is doubling down on its specialised nutrition offerings, including infant formula and Foods for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP) for China, a market which it said has delivered “stellar performance” for the first half of 2024.
Morinaga Milk Industry zeroed in on the weight management efficacies of Bifidobacterium breve B-3 (B. breve B-3) probiotic strain, and its potential for preventing age-related metabolic issues, at the Growth Asia Summit 2024.
Chinese coffee company Saturnbird, which entered Singapore and Malaysia earlier this year, is looking to attract young consumers with cafe-quality instant coffee that is convenient and wallet-friendly.
Nestle China is expanding its range of products containing white mulberry leaf extract clinically shown to reduce postprandial blood sugar increase, with its latest launch a no-sugar Oolong tea.
Chinese firm GanoHerb has identified untapped opportunities in the Middle Eastern market, where awareness and availability of ganoderma products are relatively scant.
Samyang, CJ Cheiljedang, GS25 and more large South Korean corporations have joined a government initiative to boost SME food exports and distribution channels.
Campari China has embarked on a collaborative mission with baijiu giant Wuliangye to make the traditional liquor an international beverage by creating the ‘wugroni’ cocktail, hoping to emulate tequila’s success with the margarita and Tequila Sunrise.
South Korea’s OEM manufacturer Kolmar BNH is wooing the China market with herbal formulations, as it believes that the concept of 'foods as medicines' is seeing a revival in the country.
Singapore start-up Strictly Nuts is hoping to convince consumers that fox nuts are versatile go-to snacks for all ages, with a focus on heath and versatility to grow its reach in the market.
Japanese tea company ITO EN is gearing up to set foot into the Indian market for the first time with its flagship ready-to-drink green tea brand Oi Ocha.
The South Korean government has refined its new expiration dates system with the launch of a new database that is equipped with a search function and specific guidance on ‘use-by’ timeframes for processed foods.
Amway is focusing its resources on several key categories, including gut health and anti-ageing, based on major trends that it has observed and believes possess immense potential for growth.
Curcumin can fight chronic diseases by reducing key inflammatory markers, offering a promising natural intervention for conditions including obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, according to new research.
South Korean brand Harim seeks to meet growing consumer demand for protein-rich products in the country with a new cookie range and ready-to-heat chicken breasts seasoned with popular local flavours.
The Japanese government has released new data highlighting the safety of genetically modified crops to placate public concerns that accidental spillages were affecting biodiversity.
CJ CheilJedang’s food brand bibigo recently introduced its frozen rice rolls in supermarket chain Woolworths in Australia, a market where the firm is reaping significant sales growth.
Singapore-based Everiday Foods has identified a gap in the market for clean eating, but the vegan start-up sees educating consumers and justifying the higher prices of wholesome foods as its main challenges.
Swiss-based Origen X, which acquired the world’s oldest vodka brand, hopes a focus on heritage and authenticity will lead to success in key Asian markets.
PepsiCo China has revealed its snacking strategies based on localisation and indulgence that have successfully captured and retained the interest of younger local consumers in the market.
Findings from a Korean study showed that a higher intake of prebiotic and probiotic foods was significantly associated with lower severity of anxiety symptoms.
Manufacturers of Foods with Function Claims (FFC) are legally bound to four newly added requirements from September 1 – the latest move in regulating Japan’s functional foods industry since Kobayashi Pharmaceutical’s red yeast rice scandal broke out.
Austrian ketchup brand Curtice Brothers says a focus on natural ingredients, heritage and sustainability is helping it compete with local and international condiment giants in Asia, with the firm seeing success in China, Singapore and Japan.
Chocolate giant Ferrero believes that freshness and flavour variety are key factors for chocolate brands to ensure lasting power in the China market, with product innovations needing to be both diverse and unique.
