5 key APAC food & beverage trends to watch in 2026
We take a look at five of the most crucial APAC food & beverage trends redefining the industry in 2026, from localisation and AI driven-growth to new innovation directions
Supply chain
EU dairy hit by Chinese tariffs
EU dairy exporters face new border duties as China seeks to shield its domestic industry amid oversupply and falling prices
Vietnam to tighten dairy, alcohol rules to advance food safety goals
Vietnam plans to update dairy and alcohol regulations in line with ongoing national goals to improve local food safety compliance and public health
AI in food production: PepsiCo APAC accelerator winner eyes regional growth
The reigning APAC champion of PepsiCo’s Greenhouse Accelerator (GHAC), Beijing AIForce, has revealed major plans to expand across the region after taking home the main prize
Scandals and more: 10 stories that shook up the APAC F&B sector this year
From restructuring and demergers, to drug accusations and sex scandals, here are 10 of the most shocking and influential stories that shook the APAC food sector in 2025
Singapore firm upcycles food byproducts into diabetic-friendly noodles
KosmodeHealth has turned peanut and sweet potato byproducts into low-GI noodles designed to deliver energy without sugar spikes
Start-up Spotlight: Indonesia SME halal, global top 30 food-tech and more
Indonesia SME halal, global top 30 food-tech firms and more feature in this edition of Start-up Spotlight
Our top 10 APAC food safety and security stories from 2025
We reveal our top 10 food safety and security stories this year, featuring safety-driven regulatory changes, China’s pesticide woes, food fraud and more
Supply stars: The Top 10 APAC F&B supplier stories from 2025
We bring you 2025’s top 10 most popular supplier stories from the APAC food industry, featuring Kerry, Cargill, McCormick and many more.
Why Amazon Fresh is using French foods to sharpen Asian e-commerce play
Rising demand for European foods in Asia has prompted Amazon Fresh to expand its European range with French products in this region
Food Tech 2.0: 3 innovations reshaping global food production
The next wave of food tech is boosting production through innovation, efficiency and lessons from the past. Explore 3 key technologies – and pitfalls to avoid
High sugary drink intake still prevalent in Chinese schoolkids
Over 80% of China’s schoolchildren are still choosing sweet drinks, sparking calls for tougher control measures
Danone becomes the largest B Corp
The achievement gives Danone a competitive advantage over the likes of Nestlé and Unilever and is a boon for investor confidence
AI-powered, human-led kitchens redefine RTE vending in Asia
Singapore’s first AI vending machines cooking ready-to-eat (RTE) meals on demand, 24/7 are targeting global growth
3 crucial steps to harmonise halal standards across regions
Halal food trade faces challenges in regional, much less global, standardisation – experts outline three key steps to move toward a unified system
North India UPF consumption nearly twice that of South India
Consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) across South Asia varies significantly depending on location, age, gender, and socioeconomic status, according to new findings.
Vietnam’s Vinh Hoan meets convenience and wellness needs with pangasius
Vietnam’s Vinh Hoan is maximising pangasius fish commercial potential with a circular model supporting convenient nutrition and supplement innovation
Fi Asia 2025
Indonesia commits to easier halal certification for food SMEs
Indonesia aims to simplify halal certification for food SMEs, boosting global competitiveness and ensuring inclusive access for small businesses
Nutri-Score ‘most effective’ nutrition label for Saudi consumers
Nutri-Score has outperformed other internationally recognised labelling systems in a Saudi context, a new study has confirmed
Malaysia-US Trade Agreement: Food Sector Implications
Malaysia’s latest trade deal with the United States could have significant impacts for the food sector – but not so soon, and not all will benefit
Unilever India confident GST reforms will aid growth despite Q2 declines
Hindustan Unilever India (HUL) is optimistic that the government’s recent tax reforms will help drive growth in the long-run, offsetting current impacts on sales
What it takes to build better-for-you brands in Asia
Asia holds vast growth potential for health-focused brands – but capturing it demands a balancing act between quality, affordability, and consumer trust
CP Foods’ Food as Medicine roadmap for preventative health
Thai food giant CP Foods has developed a dedicated platform to support consumers making healthier food choices towards preventative healthcare
GROWTH ASIA SUMMIT 2025
Ageing Asia: 3 expert food and nutrition takeaways for industry action
Experts at the Growth Asia Summit share 3 key insights to help food and nutrition firms tap into Asia’s burgeoning healthy ageing market
Sustainable pricing? Japan’s Fair Price Project shows food cost realities
Japan’s Fair Price Project urges consumer empathy and awareness as food producers face rising costs, in hopes of ensuring food supply sustainability
UN atomic body stresses post-Japan wastewater release food safety
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has launched three new reports to reiterate that Japan’s nuclear water release does not affect seafood safety
Another EUDR backflip: How did we get here?
In a dramatic pivot, the EU’s anti-deforestation law looks like it will be pushed back for some, and reworked for all. Here’s a timeline to help with the whiplash
UAE food sector embracing AI, cloud tech to drive efficiency
AI and cloud tech are transforming the UAE food industry amid government initiatives to modernise operations, reduce costs, and enhance supply chain efficiency
China updates organic certification standards for food sector
China has revised its organic food certification rules, strengthening requirements for products to obtain the Organic Product Certification Mark
Fi Asia 2025
Rice-based nutrition powering Laos’ health transformation
Rice is emerging as a vital tool for Laos in its quest to develop better nutrition and reduce stunting among children nationwide
New trout brand taps UAE fishing roots, convenience demand for launch
Finnforel has launched sustainably farmed rainbow trout in UAE, tapping the country’s fishing heritage and demand for clean-label convenient nutrition
Fi Asia 2025
Clean label demand fuelling fruit and vegetable opportunities
The clean label movement is driving fresh ways to use fruits and vegetables in food manufacturing and product innovation
APAC salt reformulation rises in response to grading schemes, salt taxes
With salt taxes looming and nutri-grade schemes making their mark, more APAC food firms must reformulate to meet health and regulatory demands
PepsiCo accelerator fuels food industry growth with real-world pilots
PepsiCo’s Greenhouse Accelerator (GHAC) APAC is driving agri-food innovation, with start-ups in the region piloting solutions alongside PepsiCo and key partners
Seafood Expo Asia 2025
Seafood sector pivots to Asia amid rising demand and US tariff woes
Asia’s seafood appetite offers growth as exporters diversify from US tariff-hit markets, experts say at Singapore Seafood expo
Fi Asia 2025
5 major food industry trends spotted at Fi Asia 2025
From cost-effectiveness to flavour favourites, these are the top 5 food trends seen at Fi Asia 2025, influencing new product development in the region
Pesticide residues dominate China’s latest food safety findings
A new China government food safety report shows potential pesticide risks, spotlighting challenges for authorities, industry, and consumers
5 food industry leadership scandals that shook the past 18 months
From corruption allegations to sexual misconduct, explore five high-profile food industry scandals that made headlines and reshaped leadership
Opinion
The snackdown: Trump calls ESG a scam – why snack giants call it survival
ESG’s under political fire in Washington, but the snack giants keep flexing. From Oreos to Doritos, their reports show that in today’s food industry, trust’s as valuable as profit.
Ireland eyes SEA as major market for grass-fed dairy, protein exports
South East Asia has become a key target market for Irish grass-fed dairy and protein-fortified exports, tapping rising demand for health and wellness
UAE to link beverage prices to sugar levels: What does industry need to do?
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will implement a tiered excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) from January 2026
Veolia tackles food waste and clean energy challenges in SEA
Proper waste disposal and renewable energy are key priorities for South East Asia, said the firm
PepsiCo and Unilever step up with new regen ag push
PepsiCo and Unilever have decided it’s time to get serious about soil: their new STEP up for Agriculture program throws money and muscle behind regenerative farming
Fi Asia 2025
What are the 4 most crucial AI applications in food innovation?
AI is driving food innovation and marketing strategies – here are four major ways experts at Fi Asia 2025 say it is shaping production and improving relevance
Sustainability September
3 key challenges to building sustainable food systems in Asia
Asian food systems face three major challenges towards achieving sustainability – find out what these are and what needs to be done to tackle them
Indonesia’s WTO winning streak could threaten EUDR viability
Continuous palm oil wins for Indonesia at the WTO cast doubts on how the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) will impact sustainability and trade
South Korea boosts K-Food security amid rise in fake products
South Korea is responding to fake food complaints with tighter controls, hoping to safeguard local food industry standards and export trust
Thai Union to ramp up overseas production in response to US tariffs
In response to US reciprocal tariff rates, Thai Union is planning expansions of its overseas manufacturing sites such as Ghana and the United States
Leaf-powered protein: Leaft blazes new trail in APAC with Lacto Japan
Exclusive: New Zealand-based Leaft Foods partners with Lacto Japan to bring its leaf protein into staple categories such as bakery and dairy foods
Is food and drink failing the planet? Share your view now
The global food and drink industry’s biggest sustainability call to action has kicked off in the first month-long Sustainable September event