Japan’s agricultural ministry has lifted its ban on imports of Canadian wheat, after trade was suspended in June following the discovery of GM wheat plants in southern Alberta.
Japan has contributed ¥400m (just under US$4m) to support nutrition and food security for Palestinians in Gaza, under the United Nations (UN) World Food Programme (WFP).
Allergen-Free Foods, an arm of Nikkoh Co., is targeting growth with free-from chocolates after establishing an independent factory to develop products that do not contain 27 types of allergens.
Ingredients firm AAK has been rapidly growing its footprint in Asia-Pacific across a number of categories, backed by plans for a new plant in the Philippines and a customer innovation centre in Japan.
Japan appears to have won the latest World Trade Organization (WTO) battle over South Korea's post-Fukushima disaster food import ban and restrictions, but the trade spat between the East Asian giants looks set to continue.
Japanese wagyu beef exports to Taiwan are set to soar as meat producers tap into demand following the lifting of a 16-year ban on the product, while riding on the tailwind of a Japanese government promotional campaign.
Here's a recap of our top 10 food and beverage industry stories this month, featuring Australia and New Zealand's stance on GM golden rice, China's domination of the 2017 APAC food scandal chart, sugar taxes in Asia Pacific, and more.
Japanese confectionery giant Meiji is expanding production of health-focused chocolate in response to the growing consumer demand for cocoa’s purported health benefits.
European confectionery association Caobisco fears rules of origin on sugar may harm its export competitiveness to Japan despite improved market access through a new trade deal.
The Tokyo 2020 Olympics organisers will serve visiting officials food from Fukushima and other areas hit by 2011’s tsunami to show that the produce is safe.
More than half a decade after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster led to widespread restrictions of Japanese food and agricultural imports, Southeast Asian nations are being urged to lift their ban on shipments from affected prefectures.
Probiotic supplier Ganden says its recent acquisition by Kerry Group will allow it to fast-track the growth of its products in Asia, with China and India having bene identified as two markets that are "impossible to ignore".
Organic miso manufacturer Hikari Miso launched its new website for English-speaking markets following sales lifts in the US, Europe and the Middle East.
Major Malaysian retailer group Bison is accelerating its move into food manufacturing by partnering with two Japanese firms to produce bakery and ready-to-eat convenience goods.
Work is underway to promote Japan’s quality wagyu beef to athletes and tourists visiting Tokyo for the 2020 summer Olympic Games to boost exports in the long term.
DuPont in Japan says it is striving to spur innovation in the supplement and functional food space for the ageing population by launching 11 ‘smart ageing’ concepts at this week’s HI Japan show.
The raft of new supplement and functional food regulations introduced in the past two years, or those imminently pending, have been broadly welcomed by the industry in APAC, according to the findings of our inaugural State of the Supplements, Health &...
Last week the EU and Japan agreed to a bilateral trade agreement, which will set significant duty-free quotas on EU exports of ingredients such as starch, butter, whey and processed foods.
NutraIngredients-Asia had launched a new China email newsletter to shine the spotlight on one of the most crucial nations for the industry's growth, with articles published in both Chinese and English.
The US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) is partnering with supermarket chains and event organisers in Japan’s regions to strengthen already high US red meat sales by localising marketing, public relations and consumer interaction campaigns.
Japan’s meat consumption broke new records in the 2016 fiscal year (April 2015 to March 2016) according to recent data, with projected year-on-year growth set to be the fastest in five years.
Inclement weather has led to Japan’s smallest harvest of potatoes since 1983, prompting the country’s snack giants to stop production of several potato snacks.
European dried, cured and smoked meat producers are poised for a rapid expansion of export sales to Japan, with growing demand for such products that cannot be satisfied by Japanese specialist producers.
The leader of Taiwan’s delegation to FoodEx Japan says there is still scope for more exports to the country’s second largest trading partner, while the agriculture minister has left the door open for new trade agreements between the two nations.
The 17-strong delegation of Philippine food firms showcased at FoodEx Japan this week is targetting record total sales topping US$28m from the four-day event – with banana-based products booming in the Far East.
Belgian luxury confectioner Fairy Chocolates has introduced a mini version of its éclair praline fusion Cho’clair as it concentrates on expansion in Asia.
Butchers, supermarkets and barbecue restaurants in Japan are gearing up for the national meat trade’s busiest day of the year, dubbed ‘Meat Day’ – on 9 February.
Two of Japan’s biggest conglomerates are planning huge expansion of their ‘beef bowl’ fast food chains across China in order to compensate for low growth in a saturated Japanese marketplace.
Food and nutrition firms in APAC have to contend with a diverse and at times contradictory regulatory landscape across the region, with rules and laws being amended or introduced all the time. And 2016 was no exception.
British food firm Chaucer has been sold to Japanese manufacturer Nagatanien in a £102.8m (€122.8m) deal which the freeze-dried food manufacturer says will help it expand into the US and Asia.
Several superfoods are now becoming mainstream in Japan because consumers are acutely aware of the “nutrient powerhouses” and their functional benefits.
With just 100,000 Muslims among a population of 127m, its perhaps little surprise that halal products have not been the top priority for Japan’s food manufacturers.
The functional food ingredients market in Asia Pacific is being tipped to rise from $2.85bn at the end of 2016 to $5.04bn in 2026 with probiotics projected to be the fastest growing segment over the forecast period
Yonekyu Corporation, one of Japan’s leading processed meat companies, has applauded the impact of Sealpac’s thermoformers on its production lines, claiming the equipment is “extremely strong”.
Seven EU member states are eagerly awaiting approval from Japan to increase its imports of European beef, following its recent restoration of trade with Italy.
The Australian government is in talks with political counterparts in Japan after the latter imposed a trade ban on live cattle imports, following a virus outbreak.
