Product affordability, versatility crucial for Indonesian food firms to stand out during economic adversity
Affordability and versatility need to be key NPD drivers in price sensitive markets such as Indonesia, according to industry experts.
Supply chain
Three emerging food and beverage categories to watch for major growth in 2025
With many companies both large and small within the Asia Pacific food and beverage sector on the lookout for new and innovative product strategies to stand out and attract consumers with added value amidst trying economic conditions, we believe these...
Five major trends set to shape APAC food and beverage industry growth in 2025
We take a closer look at five of the top trends that look set to have a major impact on the growth of the Asia Pacific food and beverage industry in 2025, from affordability and accessibility taking centre stage, alternative protein rejigs,...
Science spotlight: Our Top 10 most-read science, research and tech stories in 2024
See our top 10 most read science, research and technology stories from 2024, featuring the use of science in policy formulation, plant-based dairy research, 3D food printing and more.
Big news 2024: FoodNavigator-Asia’s Top 10 most-read stories this year
We bring to you our top 10 most viewed stories from the APAC food and beverage sector in 2024, featuring household names like Nestle’s coffee ambitions, India’s spice industry scandal, various regulatory updates throughout the region and more.
2024 Top Trends: This year’s top 10 APAC food and beverage industry trends stories
From alternative protein developments, increased sustainability-focused initiatives, sugar reduction mandates and more, we bring you the top 10 most-read trends stories from the food and beverage industry throughout 2024.
Asia Pacific AgriTech Innovation Summit
Asia can still lead protein transition - product improvement, government support needed
Asia is still set to be the region leading global protein transition away from traditional animal meat production and consumption, but much more work on existing products is still needed in order to see this realised.
This year in alt proteins: The Top 10 APAC alternative protein stories in 2024
We bring you the top 10 most-read alternative protein stories from the APAC food and beverage industry in 2024, featuring cultivated meat challenges, plant-based dairy terms, protein made ‘out of thin air’ and more.
Dairy opportunities in Asia abundant for foreseeable future – expert insights
There is a wealth of opportunities for the dairy sector in Asia to grow and innovate particularly China and South East Asia, say experts.
Regulatory review: Our 2024 Top 10 most-read APAC F&B regulation and policy stories
We reveal the top 10 most viewed regulation and policy stories from the food and beverage industry in 2024, featuring the EU Deforestation Regulation, Malaysia milk regulations, South Korea recycled PET approval and more.
APAC must overcome policy, behaviour gaps to meet nutrition goals – expert panel
The Asia Pacific region still needs to overcome major gaps in policy implementation and consumer behaviour management in order to meet ideal nutritional goals, according to an expert panel.
Palm oil and soybean oil sectors look to India as major 2025 target market
India is set to become one of the world’s largest food commodity consumption markets in 2025, particularly for edible oils such as palm oil and soybean oil.
Brands in business: Our 2024 Top 10 most-read APAC food and beverage brands news
We reveal the top 10 most viewed brands stories from the APAC food and beverage sector in 2024, featuring well-known names like Nestle, Mondelez, PepsiCo and more.
Indonesia updates genetically modified food regulations to clarify sale requirements
The Indonesian government has updated regulations governing the production and sale of genetically modified (GM) foods.
Asia Pacific Agri-Tech Innovation Summit
Precision fermentation sector needs to be ‘realistic’ in light of fading funds
The precision fermentation sector in Asia Pacific needs to take a more ‘realistic’ approach to operational and infrastructural management with a shift towards collaborative attitudes, in light of funding becoming increasingly scarce.
Our Top 10 APAC food and beverage industry food safety and security stories in 2024
We reveal the top 10 most-read food safety and security stories from the APAC food and beverage industry from 2024, featuring chemical leaching and antibiotic fears, package labelling to ensure safety, import regulations and more.
Elevate your nutrition knowledge with our biggest ever global broadcast series
Eight free webinars, over 50 experts and one unmissable opportunity to turn nutrition insights into action. It’s FoodNavigator’s global Positive Nutrition event
FNA DEEP DIVE: CULTIVATED MEAT
Luxury or complement? What does the future hold for APAC cultivated meat?
The cultivated meat and seafood sector in APAC has gone through various ups and downs in recent years – but now that the dust has settled, what does the industry truly see as the path forward?
Indonesia WTO submission warns food firms against high sugar, salt or fat content
The Indonesian government’s latest notification to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has included a stern warning to both domestic and foreign food firms against introducing products with high sugar, salt or fat content.
India’s nutra regulations: Inter-ministerial committee report receives mixed industry response
An inter-ministerial committee from India has put forth a list of recommendations on how nutraceuticals could be regulated, which has received mixed industry response, especially around disease risk reduction claims.
South Korea RTE kimchi sales soar amid rising vegetable costs
Retail companies in South Korea are banking on the increasing demand for ready-to-eat (RTE) packaged kimchi that has resulted from the surge in cabbage prices and shifting consumer preferences.
Asia food sector must push past digital ‘comfort zone’ for AI to break through
Food and beverage companies in Asia will need to move beyond just understanding the benefits of digital technologies such as AI and blockchain and actually embrace their use in order to reap benefits in terms of food safety, security and sustainability.
Asian dairy drive: Lactose-free milk innovation could be key for Nordic firms to gain foothold in region – Valio
Finnish dairy co-operative Valio believes a focus on lactose-free milk innovation with an identical taste profile to regular dairy is the way to gain more prominent recognition within the Asian dairy market.
Trump’s tariff threat: China botanical extracts suppliers look to SEA to mitigate economic impact
There are plans among China botanical extracts suppliers to build operations in South East Asia in a bid to bypass potential tariffs hikes under the new Trump administration.
Fruity strategy: Polish government eyes South East Asia as next major export market for apples and aronia berries
The government of Poland has set its sights on South East Asia as the next major trade and exports market for its various food products, particularly apples and aronia berries.
‘Sunburnt and discoloured’: Japan steps up efforts to mitigate global warming impact on food security and quality
Japan is seeking to alleviate the impact of global warming on its domestic food supply chain after new data showed how rising temperatures are hitting crops and increasing food loss.
Inflation issues: Unilever India announces ‘calibrated price increases’ after being hit with major palm oil and tea cost hikes
Hindustan Unilever India (HUL) has announced plans to implement ‘calibrated price increases’ in light of inflationary pressures leading to significant cost hikes in palm oil and tea.
Slash the silos: Greater food industry collaboration needed in SEA to mitigate climate and supply threats
Greater cross-border collaboration across food chains is urgently needed in South East Asia to meet the rising threats of climate change, supply risks and geopolitical uncertainity.
High hopes for hub: Indonesian food sector calls for a 'larger scale' food innovation centre to move sector forward
The food and beverage sector in Indonesia believes that it is high time for a larger scale food innovation centre focusing on the advancement and development of domestic companies to be established in the country.
FNA DEEP DIVE: FOOD SAFETY & TRACEABILITY
Digital defence: Why APAC food firms are prioritising tech investments for food safety and traceability
Investments into food safety and traceability tech are becoming major priorities for many food and beverage firms across the Asia Pacific region, with regional experts telling us this is inn response to rapidly-evolving local needs.
Safe food, safe kids: South Korea eyes legislation-led improvements in rural Children’s Diet Safety Index
South Korea is looking to improve the Children’s Diet Safety Index in its rural areas, after seeing poorer results compared to urban cities and the national average.
Garbage in, garbage out: Artificial intelligence could become ‘crucial’ nutraceutical industry tool if 'care is taken'
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the nutraceuticals industry could become a ‘crucial’ component of innovation and regulatory compliance processes, but care must be taken regarding the information that is fed into the technology.
Fastest wins: Tate & Lyle on why innovation speed and digitalisation is key for success in Asia
Tate & Lyle has highlighted that speedy innovation and operational digitalisation are more important to the food and beverage sector in Asia than anywhere else in the world, amidst the unveiling of its new globally-connected research laboratory.
Gautam eyes top rice importer spot in Middle East, anticipates Saudi to be biggest growth driver
Gautam General Trading (GGT) aims to build on its success in the UAE and Oman to expand in Saudi Arabia, which it believes will be a key market to drive growth and help it claim top spot among rice importers in the region.
Risk minimisation: South Korean ministries urge national information-sharing collaboration to combat illegal food trade
South Korean ministries have signed a formal data-sharing agreement with local organisations in order to formulate more timely responses to illegal food and beverage trade at its borders, in response to a reported rise in such cases.
U-turn ahead: Nestle reunites Greater China management with rest of Asia as new CEO pledges ‘core’ growth focus
Nestle is reintegrating the Greater China region with the rest of Asia, as new CEO Laurent Freixe unveiled a significant U-turn from its 2021 geographical ‘sharpening’ strategy.
Not so straightforward: Singapore food industry voices concerns over cost, efficacy of extending Nutri-Grade system to sodium and fats
The Singapore food industry has voiced several concerns over government plans to extend the Nutri-Grade traffic light nutritional labelling system to sodium and fats.
Sustainability victory: PepsiCo eyes thermal energy collaboration with new Greenhouse Accelerator APAC champion
Global food and beverage giant PepsiCo has granted the winner of its 2024 GreenHouse Accelerator APAC programme Alterno US$100,000 to develop its thermal energy solution, with an eye on further collaboration with the firm in this area.
Malaysian Palm Oil Forum (MPOF)
Confusion still rife: Malaysian palm oil sector extends call for EUDR criteria clarity amidst proposed postponement
Malaysia’s palm oil industry representative body has argued that many aspects of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) still lack clarity, and that more transparency regarding its criteria is needed before it should be implemented.
Vitafoods Asia 2024
‘Future alternative protein’: Microbial yeast protein must expand product formats in order to reach larger audience
Microbial alternative proteins such as those made from yeast need to expand into trending product formats in order to secure the awareness and acceptance of a larger consumer group.
Vietnam’s Vinh Hoan appeals to children and elderly averse to fish with surimi-wrapped dumplings
Vietnamese firm Vinh Hoan aims to appeal to children and the elderly who dislike eating fish with its surimi-wrapped dumplings, which are part of its product portfolio targeting the needs of time-strapped consumers.
Visible relief: Palm oil industry welcomes announcement of EUDR postponement – but troubles not over yet
The palm oil and other agrifood sectors may have breathed a collective sigh of relief at the European Commission (EC) announcement that EUDR enforcement will be delayed – but experts are warning that the root problems are yet to be resolved.
Food companies' regenerative ag strategies 'lack ambition'
Beef and dairy companies put greater focus on claiming lower emissions through regenerative ag practices over embracing the concept holistically, a new report has found.
‘Positive progress’: Japan rejoices over Taiwan’s relaxing of restrictions on food exports affected by Fukushima nuclear disaster
The Japanese government has warmly welcomed Taiwan’s long-awaited decision to relax import restrictions on food exports affected by the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, dubbing this as ‘positive progress’ towards full trade recovery.
Growth Asia Summit 2024
Food-smart cities in Asia: Personalised nutrition can 'unlock health, wellness, and sustainability benefits'
Scaling personalised nutrition to the population level would help reduce waste, optimise health, and contribute to sustainability.
Beyond cosmetics: K-beauty brand Clio debuts beauty-from-within supplements in Japan
South Korean firm Clio has debuted its ingestible beauty brand, TRUE RX, in drugstores across Japan, underlining its expansion endeavours in this market beyond the cosmetics sector.
Milkfish producer Fisherfarms aims to beat stiff competition in Asia through convenience foods, widening market access
Filipino aquaculture firm Fisherfarms hopes to overcome strong competition for milkfish products in Asia through convenience food innovations, as well as international accreditations to improve market access.
Could links to longevity boost plant-based sales?
The plant-based trend has slowed in recent months, but new research could be set to restore its fortunes.
Halal advancements: Indonesia on the brink of ‘golden opportunity’, but quality and infrastructure focus needed
Indonesia will be able to capitalise on a ‘golden opportunity’ with its halal food products industry as long as it improves product quality, safety and infrastructure, according to a leading halal certification official.
Hidden hunger horrors: Indonesia needs more mandatory food fortification to address triple malnutrition threat – expert insights
Indonesia will need to implement more mandatory food fortification in staple foods if the country hopes to address the serious triple malnutrition threat that it currently faces, according to local food industry experts.