Asian tastes

Anti-extravagance and acquisitions in Asia rock global spirits market

Anti-extravagance and acquisitions in Asia rock global spirits market

By RJ Whitehead

Asia’s role in the global spirits market has surprised analysts over in recent months, with moves to curb extravagance in China, Suntory’s acquisition of Beam in January and Emperador’s winning bid to acquire White & Mackay each causing a stir.

Online shoppers go for grog over groceries

Australia

Online shoppers go for grog over groceries

By RJ Whitehead

More Australians buy alcohol online than groceries, though still less than one in 50 consumers click products into their virtual supermarket trolleys each month, according to the latest data by Roy Morgan.

Gorgeous grub: We need to make insect consumption 'sexy' to consumers

Dispatches from Vitafoods Europe 2014

Gorgeous grub: We need to make insect consumption 'sexy' to consumers

By Nathan Gray

Growing interest in the potential for insects as a source of healthy and sustainable protein was demonstrated again at Vitafoods Europe, where 4ento CEO Ana Day told us that insect consumption needs to become 'sexy'.

Who rules the world? Indian women, says Danone

Who rules the world? Indian women, says Danone

By Andrew Schreiber

French food major Groupe Danone is now turning to Indian women, rather than relying on its tested global strategies, to crack the competitive Indian market.

Cereal makers should consider incorporating black grains into products in China because of the health connotations, Datamonitor Consumer says

Digging into innovation & NPD with Datamonitor consumer

Black cereal: How to make a splash in China

By Kacey Culliney

Black ingredients are considered healthier in China and black breakfast cereals are making a debut splash in the market; a trend Western companies should take note of, says a Datamonitor researcher.

Norco secures fast-track fresh milk export pipeline to China

Norco secures fast-track fresh milk export pipeline to China

By Mark ASTLEY

Australian dairy Norco Cooperative has secured a deal with Chinese authorities that allows it to fast-track quarantine clearance for its fresh milk exports - slashing the time it takes to reach consumers in China to just seven days.

Mahou San Miguel establishes Indian beer subsidiary

Mahou San Miguel establishes Indian beer subsidiary

By Andrew Schreiber

Spanish brewer Mahou San Miguel announced yesterday that it has established its first international subsidiary in India through the acquisition of 100% of Arian Breweries & Distilleries.

Hard and crunchy = fewer calories?

Hard and crunchy = fewer calories?

By Maggie Hennessy

Consumers perceive foods that are either hard or have a rough texture as having fewer calories, says a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research.

Major breakthrough for Scotch in battle to beat Aussie fraudsters

Major breakthrough for Scotch in battle to beat Aussie fraudsters

By RJ Whitehead

Scotland’s whisky industry is celebrating a “major breakthrough” in Australia, where this the spirit was registered as a certification trademark. The move comes after a long battle by Scotch Whisky Association to counter fakes, for which Australia has...

Mars will start sourcing cocoa from India within the next two years

Mars to source cocoa from India

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Mars follows in Cadbury footsteps as it looks to source cocoa from India, a crop that still only accounts for a tiny fraction of world production.

Front-of-pack labelling gets more support in Australia

Front-of-pack labelling gets more support in Australia

By Ankush Chibber

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, which is one of Australia’s biggest health unions, has thrown its weight behind a front-of-pack labelling system for food sold in Australia.

NZ Prime Minister has his work cut out in China

NZ Prime Minister has his work cut out in China

By Ankush Chibber

New Zealand’s reputation in China as a provider of safe and quality dairy products has taken a heavy blow in recent times, a new consumer confidence survey suggests.

UAE date palm to be given UN honour

UAE date palm to be given UN honour

By RJ Whitehead

Along with the camel and the world’s highest tower, the humble date is one of the most enduring icons of the UAE, and soon it will be recognised for its importance to international agriculture.

KitKat launched its first boutique in Japan

'It is difficult to find shoddy things in Japanese stores'

Japan demands luxury look from packaging

By Rachel Arthur

Japan offers packaging companies an opportunity to develop more attractive products, with the importance of aesthetics built into its culture, according to market research agency Canadean.

Complementary medicine's hardman says it's time to focus on positives

Profile: Carl Gibson, CEO of Complementary Healthcare Council, Australia

Complementary medicine's hardman says it's time to focus on positives

By RJ Whitehead

For somebody who is often seen to be “slamming” an unfavourable study, or “hitting back” at research showing complementary medicine in a negative light, Carl Gibson is in a less belligerent mood today.