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Category: Food

Retail News Asia is committed to providing both local and global retailers with the latest Food and Food & Beverage news throughout the Asian market. This on a daily base.

  • Launch of inaugural Café Cambodia 2017 and Franchise & Licensing Cambodia 2017

    Launch of inaugural Café Cambodia 2017 and Franchise & Licensing Cambodia 2017

    Phnom Penh took center stage as the host for the inaugural Café Cambodia 2017 and Franchise & Licensing Cambodia 2017. The exhibitions mark one of largest gathering of visitors from the local business community and the region and members of the coffee industry including baristas, café and coffee purveyors, coffee roasters, equipment distributors and members of the public. Malaysia is the shows’

    Official Country Partner, supported by Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (PNS). The inaugural shows were officially opened by His Excellency Cham Prasidh, Senior Minister, Ministry of Industry and Handicraft, Cambodia. The official opening this morning was also graced by the presence of Yang Berhormat Dato’ Henry Sum Agong, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism (MDTCC),Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Hasan Malek, Malaysia Ambassador to Cambodia, Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Sri Jamil bin Salleh, Secretary General, Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism, Malaysia and His Excellency, Mr Pak Sokhom, Secretary of State, Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia.

    Franchise and Licensing Cambodia 2017 and Café Cambodia 2017 offer exhibitors and participants a hub and a B2B platform for key decision makers to source for new business opportunities and explore new collaborations. Franchise & Licensing Cambodia 2017 will showcase well known Asian and international brands in various industries such as F&B as well as the educational and services sectors.

    This hub also serves the industry as a source for café supplies and equipment to cater to the demands of the rising number of specialty coffee drinkers. The show will gather coffee and tea industry players showcasing products such as coffee beans, specialty coffee, specialty tea and beverages, juices, coffee machine, roasting machines and equipment.

    Cambodia has enjoyed steady economic growth in the last two decades. This growth, the favourable investment climate, supportive infrastructure, the presence of established banking and financial institutions and a large domestic consumer market of 16 million population are important reasons why the two shows are timely and will be well received as Cambodia has been attracting an increasing number of international franchise brands and operators especially those in the food and beverage business.

    Café Cambodia plays host to the Cambodia National Barista Championship (CNBC) presented by Gourmet Beverage Solutions (GBS). This inaugural championship brings together Cambodia’s top baristas to showcase their talents and compete for the coveted title of National Champion. The competition focuses on promoting excellence in coffee and seeks to advance the barista profession regionally and globally.

    Positioned as the perfect place to meet coffee professionals of Cambodia and the ASEAN region and to understand the growth of Asia’s franchise, licensing and coffee industries under one roof, the shows boast of a comprehensive programme for visitors who can look forward to learn from franchising and licensing experts, attend an exciting line-up including live presentations, demonstrations and workshops on every aspect of the coffee, tea, gelato and baked goods industries. There is also an extensive range of specialty coffees and teas from around the world to sample. The 3-day exhibition will also be teeming with networking and business opportunities for trade visitors who are looking to elevate their business aspirations. Franchise & Licensing Cambodia exposition offers abundant opportunities for entrepreneurs and prospective franchisees to meet face to face with representatives of international brand concepts across various industries.

    Café Cambodia and Franchise & Licensing Cambodia are co-organized by Conference and Exhibitions Management Services (CEMS) with CamGlobe Business & Investment Consultancy, and are supported by the Cambodia’s Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Industry & Handicraft, and the Ministry of Tourism.

    Franchise and Licensing Cambodia is supported by Asiawide Franchise, Cambodia Franchise Association and World Franchise Associates. The Cambodia National Barista Championship is presented by Gourmet Beverage Solutions.

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  • McDonald’s Malaysia to double store presence

    McDonald’s Malaysia to double store presence

    McDonald’s Malaysia will expand its store stable over the next nine years, taking its current store total to 450 by 2025.

    The fast-food operator will invest 1.4 billion ringgit (US$317 million) to facilitate an almost doubling of store numbers in Malaysia.

    According to a press release, some 363 million ringgit will be used to open 33 new restaurants and refurbish 86 existing outlets by 2019, in an “aggressive three-year accelerated growth plan.”

    In addition, more than sixty per cent of outlets will have a drive-thru service, increasing consumer “convenience, anytime anywhere,” Azmir Jaafar, McDonald’s Malaysia managing director, told reporters.

    McDonald’s Malaysia also plans to open more McCafes, and launch mobile app-enabled delivery and 24-hour stores — slated for urban areas and on busy roadsides.

    The retail shakeup comes just 100 days after Lionhorn, part of Saudi Arabia’s Reza Investment Company, acquired the American restaurant’s franchise license to operate 400 McDonald’s outlets in Malaysia and Singapore.

    At the time, McDonald’s hailed the venture as positive with more flexibility for accessing capital, and more streamline decision making for business growth.

    As part of McDonald’s turnaround plan announced in May 2015, it was committed to refranchising 4,000 restaurants by end-2018 with the long-term goal of becoming 95% franchised. McDonald’s has now refranchised about 1,300 restaurants.

    U.S.-based McDonald’s shift to Developmental Licensee ownership in Malaysia has further allowed local market stores to create products for local consumption.

    Product customisation, coupled with McDonald’s burger icons, resulted in double-digit growth for McDonald’s Malaysia last year. Same-store sales surged 16% year on year in 2016, driven the Big Mac and the “Great Value” hamburger products.

    Looking forward, the fast-food operator projects double-digit growth for 2017 in Malaysia. It currently boasts a network of 262 restaurants and 12,000 employees and served 13.5 million customers monthly.

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  • Coca-Cola to restructure company and cut costs

    Coca-Cola to restructure company and cut costs

    Coca-Cola’s sales declined in the first quarter as it restructured its business, and the world’s biggest beverage maker said it will cut 1,200 jobs starting later this year as it deepens its cost-cutting.

    The maker of Fanta, Sprite and Smartwater said the job cuts will come from its corporate staff around the world. That would represent about a 22-per-cent reduction of its corporate staff of about 5,500, or a 1-per-cent reduction in its total workforce of 100,300 employees, according to FactSet.

    Coca-Cola Co. said the cuts would help it find another $800 million (U.S.) in annualized savings, in addition to the $3 billion the company previously said it is trimming. Most those savings are expected to be realized in 2018 and 2019, it said.

    The cuts are part of a comprehensive review and won’t be concentrated in any one place, the company said.

    The company has also been reshaping its business by selling back its bottling and distribution operations to independent bottlers. That means Coke is becoming more focused on selling concentrates to bottlers and marketing for its brands as its No. 2 executive, James Quincey, prepares to officially take over as CEO next week.

    Quincey has said he plans to focus on making Coke a “total beverage company,” meaning it will more aggressively seek growth in promising drinks other than soda to better reflect changing tastes. The efforts have included putting more marketing behind options like Smartwater, including a carbonated variety of the bottled water.

    When excluding the impact of refranchising, a negative impact from foreign currency exchanges and other structural changes, Coke said its revenue was flat.

    On a global basis, the Atlanta-based company said total sales volume was flat. That reflected a 1-per-cent decline in sodas, and a 3-per-cent increase for the category including water, enhanced water and sports drinks. Volume rose 2 per cent in the category including tea and coffee.

    For the first three months of the year, the company earned $1.18 billion, or 27 cents per share. Excluding one-time gains and costs, it said it earned 43 cents per share, a penny less than analysts expected, according to Zacks Investment Research.

    Total revenue was $9.12 billion in the period, topping analyst forecasts for $8.96 billion.

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  • Vietnam fruit exports have to meet high standards in foreign markets

    Vietnam fruit exports have to meet high standards in foreign markets

    Vietnam is well known for its tropical fruits, but it has to meet many strict requirements by importing countries in order to export its fruit. GDC said Vietnam’s fruit export turnover in 2016 reached $2.46 billion, a sharp increase of 33.6 percent compared to 2015. Turnover has been increasing in the last three years: by 28.4 percent in 2014 and 23.7 percent in 2015.

    China remains the biggest market for Vietnam with exports increasing by 45.8 percent to $1.74 billion.

    China bought 70.4 percent of Vietnam’s fruit exports, while the US only consumed 3.4 percent, Japan 3.1 percent and South Korea 3.6 percent.

    However, in order to obtain the modest figure of 3 percent, Vietnam had to go through some hardships because the markets are all choosy.

    As for the Japanese market, for example, only some kinds of fruits, such as bananas, mango and dragon fruit, can be exported to the country as they have met the requirements set in Japan’s plant quarantine law.

    Vietnam’s Ministries of Industry & Trade (MOIT) and Agriculture & Rural Development (MARD) had to spend many years to persuade the Japanese side to remove the technical barriers against certain kinds of fruits.

    The company owned by Vo Quan Huy became the first Vietnamese enterprise selling Fohla brand bananas to Japan. About 2-3 containers of bananas are exported to the Japanese market each week.

    Huy said that before signing the contract on buying bananas, the Japanese side sent staff to his banana farms to take soil, water and air samples to bring to Japan for testing 230 physiological and biochemical indicators.

    The aim was to make bananas safe, clean and delicious, with no heavy metal residue, no bacteria, no pesticide residue and no growth stimulus.

    Australia is another fastidious market. It sets high requirements on farm produce imports, especially requirements on radiation that not many Vietnamese companies can satisfy.

    To date, only two kinds of fresh fruits have licenses to enter the Australian market – litchis (received in 2015) and mango (2016).

    A senior executive of a fruit export company said there is always an American expert from FDA in charge of checking fruit samples before putting fruit into radiation.

    If the expert discovers soil or insects on fruits, the whole consignment will be refused. The company once had one consignment of rambutan rejected.

  • Starbucks Reserve opens 10th Singapore store in Changi airport

    Starbucks Reserve opens 10th Singapore store in Changi airport

    American coffee house Starbucks has opened its 10th Reserve café in Singapore. Located inside Singapore’s Changi airport, the 24-hour airport outlet has opened in T3’s public area, in the United Square section.

    While patrons will be familiar with Starbucks, Starbucks Reserve is the coffee chain’s more high-end version of a café or coffee bar.

    Every year, Starbucks coffee buyers travel to coffee-growing regions to find and purchase some of the world’s finest Arabica coffee beans. Starbucks Reserve then offers these to its customers, which are in limited quantity and only available at select Starbucks Reserve stores and online.

    On the ground, Starbucks Reserve allows customers to ask exactly how they would like their coffee brewed at the bar: Starbuck’s proprietary Clover brewer, the Chemex coffeemaker, the traditional Coffee Press and Pour-overs, mimicking a more boutique coffee house.

    While there are several other Reserve outlets in Singapores, the Changi store is the first to feature the interactive Coffee Bar, along with the Black Eagle espresso, and the Nitro Cold Brew, which is served from the tap.

    However, Reserve customers can still order normal Starbucks coffee as seen available at the regular stores.

    For the last financial quarter ending January 26, Starbucks reported revenues of $5.7 billion, up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis.

    Starbucks is a roaster, marketer and retailer of coffee. As of October 2016, the company operated in 75 countries.

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  • Vietnam looks for shrimp farming to save the Mekong Delta

    Vietnam looks for shrimp farming to save the Mekong Delta

    About 700 000 hectares of rice and other agriculture crops in Vietnam were destroyed by climate-induced natural disasters in 2016, reports the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

    Consequently, rice production, which was hit the hardest, fell by some 800,000 tons, which has forced the Ministry to fast track implementation of remedial climate change adaption measures.

    Under one initiative, rice cultivation in several Mekong Delta provinces has been converted to growing fruit trees and grapes that require less water yet provide suitable alternative sources of income for farmers.

    Vietnam is the third largest exporter of rice, behind India and Thailand. Nicknamed the ‘rice bowl’, the Mekong Delta region comprises 12% of the arable land of the country and is responsible for nearly 50% of the rice production.

    This past paddy season, the culprit was salt water intruding upstream from the coast, said Mekong wetlands ecologist Nguyen Huu Thien.

    In turn, he places the blame squarely on dams that have been constructed at locations in Laos and Cambodia that are blocking the free flow of water and sediment, which allows for saltwater to make its way in the opposite direction the waters of the river naturally flow.

    Last year, a severe drought in much of Southeast Asia compounded the problem.

    In May, the Vietnam government observed the Mekong River at its lowest level since 1926, but eventually successfully convinced China to release water from its upstream dams, which helped to alleviate some of the problem.

    The Ministry has also helped other farmers migrate elsewhere in the country where they can earn a living and, as part of their main initiative, assisted many rice farmers to experiment with saltwater shrimp farms in lieu of growing rice.

    The Mekong Delta is gradually losing the capacity to support the populace, say Ministry spokespersons and it will fall apart if a corrective action plan isn’t put in place to address the fundamental problems post haste.

    Shrimp farming appears to be the best alternative but even the farming of shrimp, a salt-tolerant creature, can be challenged by excessively salty conditions.

    However, Ministry spokespersons say some of the challenges facing shrimp farming in the Mekong are being addressed by using a three-pond shrimp and fish farming strategy, in which one pond holds fresh water that is used to dilute water in the other two ponds when they become too salty.

    Research is also underway to find the most suitable commercial shrimp species to raise and to identify synergies in the processes that may benefit shrimp production in the Mekong Delta.

    Many Vietnamese and global organizations, say Ministry spokespersons, are supporting these efforts and others intended to help sustain food production in the Mekong.

    Shrimp farming seems to be a win-win situation for all involved. The farmer in the Mekong can earn more money with it than rice and the consumer in the main importing regions of the EU, US and Japan, can eat healthier shrimp.

    Shrimp farms can also play a role in ensuring the future of the Mekong Delta. Even when the saltwater rises.

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  • McDonalds’ Q1 sales boosted by its all-day breakfast menu

    McDonalds’ Q1 sales boosted by its all-day breakfast menu

    In November, credit ratings agency Fitch warned that the breakfast-driven rebound the chain is experiencing won’t last forever. While that prediction still may prove correct someday, Fitch can’t claim victory just yet: McDonald’s reported better-than-expected first quarter same-store sales Tuesday, thanks in no small part to a continued boost from the most important meal of the day.

    McDonald’s reported Tuesday that its global same-store sales increased 4% during its first fiscal quarter of 2017. “There’s a sense of urgency across the business as we take actions to retain existing customers, regain lapsed customers and convert casual customers to committed customers,” McDonald’s president and CEO Steve Easterbrook said in a statement Tuesday morning.

    The growth in same-store sales didn’t completely translate to gangbuster top-line sales, with first quarter revenue ticking down 4% to $5.68 billion (a figure that nonetheless managed to come in ahead of the $5.5 billion Wall Street consensus). McDonald’s explained the dip by pointing to the refranchising effort that is a part of its broader turnaround plan, and the costs associated with that effort.

    Net income for the quarter, meanwhile, grew 8% to $1.2 billion, resulting in earnings of $1.47 per share — a figure that came in well ahead of the Street’s $1.33 per-share consensus.

    “Our efforts to build a better McDonald’s are yielding meaningful results with continued positive momentum and a strong start to 2017 that includes positive comparable sales across all segments, higher global guest counts and enhanced profitability,” Easterbrook continued. “We’re challenging ourselves to identify and pursue initiatives that can bring the biggest benefit to the most customers in the shortest possible time. I’m confident that we’re on the right path and well-positioned to unlock incremental growth and deliver against our growth plan for 2017 and beyond.”

  • Japan’s Pokka Starts Making Soft Drinks in Indonesia

    Japan’s Pokka Starts Making Soft Drinks in Indonesia

    Pokka Sapporo Food & Beverage is ramping up Indonesian operations in soft drinks, switching to local production to strengthen its market foothold and save on costs.

    The Japanese beverage maker set up a production facility through a joint venture with local distributor Dima Indonesia and began shipments in late April. Pokka aims to sell 1.4 million cases in the first year.

    Since predecessor Pokka Corp. set up shop in Southeast Asia back in 1977, Pokka has become well-known in the region for its green tea, mainly in Singapore. The company has also shipped drinks produced in Singapore to Indonesia for sale.

    The first products coming out of the Indonesian plant include bottled jasmine green tea and lemon black tea. Pokka’s drinks are a little pricier than rival brands, costing the equivalent of 40 yen to 70 yen (36 cents to 63 cents) more per bottle. The company plans to use sales channels of Dima and expand sales through supermarkets and other volume retailers.

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  • Healthy living tops Indian consumers’ list of goals and aspirations

    Healthy living tops Indian consumers’ list of goals and aspirations

    It seems the pursuit of a healthier lifestyle is a nationwide obsession in India as healthy living tops the list of consumers goals and aspirations. New research from global market intelligence agency Mintel reveals that nearly half (48%) of consumers in India aim to live a healthier lifestyle, followed by better time management (30%), improving relationships with family and friends (25%), and travelling (24%).

    Further down on the agenda, just 8% of consumers say they wish to get married in the next three years, rising to less than three in 10 (27%) of those who are still single. Meanwhile, just 5% of consumers say they’d like to have a child, making this the lowest priority on the list of consumer’s goals and aspirations.

    Close to three in four (72%) Indian consumers report increased happiness as their motivation for leading a healthy lifestyle, while over half say that they aim to live healthily in order to look better (56%) and to feel better (53%). Additionally, two in five (41%) say they aim to lead a healthy lifestyle in order to live longer, while just 10% wish to do so to manage their health conditions. Currently, over half (52%) of Indian adults say they eat a healthy diet as part of their healthy living habits.

    Ranjana Sundaresan, Senior Research Analyst at Mintel, said: “Many Indians believe leading a healthy lifestyle will have a knock-off effect on their personal happiness. There has been quite a bit of publicity regarding the rise in lifestyle diseases among Indians, and, thus, growing awareness of the importance of being healthy.”

    While healthy living tops the list of consumers’ aspirations, it seems few are taking steps towards living a healthier life. Just one in three (34%) say they are always trying new things to improve their health, while one in four (26%) say they research health concerns and 10% say they research or think about health a lot but rarely make changes. This opens up quite a bit of opportunity for companies to offer consumers convenient solutions that could encourage making that change.

    Research from Mintel indicates that the food industry has already taken steps to appeal to consumers changing demands. According to Mintel Global New Products Database (GNPD), “natural” was the second largest claim carried on food launches in India last year, behind “suitable for” claims, accounting for 28% of all food product launches in 2016, up from 22% in 2012.

    As a result between 2012 and 2016, India had the highest number of food product launches carrying a natural claim in Asia and was the fifth largest market for these launches globally, accounting for 6% of the world’s food launches labelled as ‘natural’.

    Indeed, while India is leading the charge with Asia’s natural food production, Mintel research reveals that one in five (19%) Indian consumers say they would like to see a wider variety of natural snacks. Furthermore, as many as half (47%) of those who snack think it is important for snacks to be healthy.

    And it seems that consumers in India are willing to pay more for healthier snack options as two in five (39%) Indians who snack are willing to pay extra for fruit or vegetable snacks, while one in four (25%) would pay more for snacks with added nutrition.

    “It is known worldwide that healthy and natural foods tend to be more expensive, and many think twice before making a purchase. However, powered by higher disposable income and increasing health consciousness, India’s growing middle-class urban population is now more willing to pay the additional cost for healthier options.” Ranjana concludes. Ranjana concludes.

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  • The KAfe, Coffee Inn died young, but milk-tea chains thriving

    The KAfe, Coffee Inn died young, but milk-tea chains thriving

    The KAfe, Coffee Inn and Saigon Café recently shut down, following the closure of big foreign chains Gloria Jean’s and NYDC in recent months.

    Discouraged by the departure of such chains, many investors have postponed their plans to open new shops.

    Meanwhile, more and more milk tea chains have been established, especially in the north and in Hanoi. This has been a surprise to analysts, as the north is a conservative market where people prefer coffee to sweet drinks like milk tea.

    It is estimated that 170 milk tea brands have appeared in the market so far this year, both privately branded and franchised ones.

    Unlike the ‘milk tea waves’ in previous years, this year witnesses the mushrooming of  milk tea shops in non-Hanoi provinces, especially in Bac Ninh, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh and Phu Tho.

    In Bac Ninh alone, 30 milk tea brands turned up in the market in March and April with hundreds of shops, both small kiosks to larger shops (15-20 tables).

    Ding Tea is the best known brand with 100 sale points, followed by Toco Toco with 50 shops. Other brands have been present in the market for a long time, such as Chatime, ChaGo and ChaChaGo.

    Other milk tea chains, franchised ones, such as Bobapop, Citea Fund and Blackball, have been expanding rapidly in the capital city. GongCha and TraTien Huong originated from HCMC, and have also landed in Hanoi.

    Amy Truong, the owner of Toco Toco, said milk tea is suitable to different groups of consumers, from youth to office workers.

    Two brands, which have just appeared, have been developing at a fast pace – Goky and Mr.Good Tea. Goky has more than 100 shops after five months of operation, while it plans to open six more shops in May.

    Meanwhile, Mr. Good Tea has more than 20 sale points after half a year of making its debut, not only in Hanoi, but in many other northern provinces.

    Analysts said there were two reasons that had made milk tea become the favorite investment field.

    First, investors don’t have to spend too much money on shop decoration, setup, staff and formula. Second, milk tea is said to bring big profits. Sources said VND2,000 worth of tea powder is used in a glass of milk tea priced at VND20,000.

    “It seems that it is now easiest to sell milk tea,” the CEO of a beverage chain said. However, he warned that those who want to jump into the market will have to compete with dozens of existing brands.

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  • India is among the world’s fastest growing chocolate markets

    India is among the world’s fastest growing chocolate markets

    While the global chocolate confectionery market posts slow growth, new research from global market intelligence agency Mintel reveals that India is defying the odds. Indeed, India is now one of the world’s fastest growing chocolate confectionery markets.

    Sales of chocolate confectionery in retail markets grew by 13% between 2015 and 2016 in India, followed by Poland which saw sales growth of 2%. In comparison to the rest of the world, Poland and India were the only two markets to see sales of chocolate grow in 2016, with sales in the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), Germany and France flat over this period, while sales fell in Russia (-2%), Brazil (-6%), and China (-6%).

    Data from Mintel also reveals India’s chocolate confectionery market has had a strong CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 19.9%, in retail market value, between 2011 and 2015, and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 20.6% from 2016 to 2020.

    When it comes to chocolate confectionery consumption (volume sales), it seems India is a nation of chocolate lovers, as Mintel research reveals that India consumed 228 thousand tonnes worth of chocolate in 2016. Other markets that have consumed in excess of 200,000 tonnes of chocolate last year include France (251 thousand tonnes), Brazil (236 thousand tonnes), and China (202 thousand tonnes). Meanwhile, Australia and Indonesia consumed 95 thousand tonnes and 94 thousand tonnes worth of chocolate in 2016 (respectively). The US and the UK, on the other hand, consumed 1.3 million tonnes and 555 thousand tonnes of chocolate (respectively).

    Marcia Mogelonsky, Director of Insight, Mintel Food and Drink, said: “Chocolate confectionery had an uneven year in 2016. Volume sales in developed markets remained flat, while the picture was a bit brighter in emerging markets, like India, where sales generally fared better.”

    Indeed, according to a consumer study by Mintel, 42% of Indian consumers have eaten sweet or sugary snacks (other than biscuits) like chocolates and cakes in the past three months, rising to 53% of consumers aged 18 to 24. On the benefits of chocolates, Mintel research reveals over two in five Indian consumers (44%) find sweet or sugary snacks like chocolates and cakes to be healthy, while over one in three (35%) Indians believe these snacks provide them with energy.

    Meanwhile, as many as one in two (49%) Indian consumers associate sweet or sugary snacks like chocolates with convenience. Data from Mintel also reveals 43% of Indians consume sweet or sugary snacks like chocolate and cake between lunch and dinner, with over half (53%) of Indian consumers reporting that they tend to snack in between meals because they get hungry.

    “Our research shows that seasonal chocolate tops all chocolate new product development, a testament to the popularity of seasonal treats among consumers across the globe. This reflects the fact that these products are typically bought to help celebrate holidays or special occasions. With this in mind, seasonal chocolate is somewhat immune to recessionary pressures as these products are bought on an occasional basis.”

    Proving chocolate lovers have a heart, interest in ethical products remains relatively strong, with 17% of new products claiming some sort of “ethical-human” positioning, which could include fair trade, Rainforest Alliance, or some other independent “bean-to-bar” certification. Although still a small part of the category, accounting for less than 6% of global new product introductions in 2016, launches of chocolate confectionery with an organic claim increased 6% between 2014 and 2016.

    Finally, Mintel research shows that consumer demand is likely to be the major impetus for more conversion to organic offerings. In India, as many as 19% of Indian consumers would like to see a wider variety of natural snacks that have no additives or preservatives, for instance.

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  • Accolade to showcase new Aussie wines in Singapore

    Accolade to showcase new Aussie wines in Singapore

    Accolade Wines will be introducing an enhanced portfolio to visitors at the upcoming TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition (Basement 2, J5) following the acquisition of six wine brands from Australia: Petaluma, Croser, St Hallett, Knappstein, Stonier and Tatachilla.

    These newly introduced brands reside in some of Australia’s most renowned wine regions, including Adelaide Hills, the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and the Mornington Peninsula.

    Rupert Firbank, Commercial Director, Accolade Wines, comments: “We have been experiencing significant growth in global travel retail and domestic markets over the past six years.

    “This has been supported through the acquisition of up-and-coming brands that have allowed us to expand our global footprint and add a great breadth to our portfolio.

    HARDYS APPROACHES 165TH BIRTHDAY

    “Our previous acquisitions of Geyser Peak in the United States, Grant Burge Wines in Australia, Mud House in New Zealand and Vina Anakena in Chile have been hugely successful, so we are confident that these new additions will add another dimension for our customers.

    “TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference is the ideal opportunity to introduce these new wines to our Asian partners.

    “Being able to sit down face-to-face with them makes a big difference in being able to fully explain the story behind each brand. We invite visitors to the show to come and experience our exciting new wines and our current brands, most notably Hardys wine which is fast approaching its 165th birthday.

  • Illva Saronno brands in the spotlight in Singapore

    Illva Saronno brands in the spotlight in Singapore

    Italy’s Illva Saronno returns to this year’s TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference with the aim of consolidating its brand presence and meeting new clients.

    The brand’s main focus will be on its trademark Disaronno, which is also available as a limited edition with the Disaronno wears Etro bottling.

    Each year, Disaronno forges a partnership with an Italian fashion designer to produce a bespoke bottle. This year’s upcoming collaboration remains under wraps for now, says the brand.

    Also on display will be new packaging for acclaimed coffee liqueur Tia Maria, which is backed by a cerebral marketing campaign fusing traditional marketing with neuroscience and psychology to test customers’ reactions to products and brands.

    Meanwhile, Italian aperitif Rabarbaro Zucca, which is made from an infusion of rhubarb rootstocks and a secret collection of rare herbs, will also be presented to buyers.b

    Zucca is prepared using the root of the true Chinese rhubarb, which grows in mountainous regions of the Gangsu province.

    DISARONNO RISERVA

    Furthermore, Disaronno Riserva – a blend of Disaronno Originale and blended Scotch whisky from the Highland and Speyside Islands – will be presented to buyers.

    The limited edition, which features an eye-catching bottle design, marries the fluid in oak barrels that contained Marsala wine reserves, with Illva Saronno believing the product is particularly well suited for buyers in Asia Pacific.

    Wines from Duca di Salaparuta and Florio will also be showcased, including Duca Enrico, made from Nero d’Avola grapes harvested in an area of south-western Sicily that benefits from a unique relationship between its micro-climate, vines and land.

    Domenico Toni, International Sales Director, Illva Saronno comments: “Asia Pacific is still a very new region for us, and we have been slowly introducing our brands over the past year.

    “We are planning on greatly building our business there, in both travel retail and domestic, over the next 5 years, so the TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference is a vital resource for us to accomplish our goals.

    “We first exhibited at the show last year, and received plenty of interest from buyers. We have high hopes that this year will be even more successful for us.”

    Visitors to the TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference can sample Disaronno’s famous Disaronno Sours cocktail at the TFWA Asia Pacific bar, situated on level 4 of the convention centre, from Monday to Wednesday at selected times.

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  • Vietnam fish exporters aim to crack Europe

    Vietnam fish exporters aim to crack Europe

    The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) is showcasing Vietnamese seafood products at the Seafood Expo Global, which is being held in Brussels, Belgium, from Tuesday to Thursday. In a 264sq.m. booth, the association introduced Viet Nam’s seafood specialties, including tra fish (known as pangasius), shrimp, tuna and tilapia fish, as well as cattle fish, octopus and dried seafood products, all of which come from 25 Vietnamese seafood producers and exporters.

    The pavilion attracted foreign businesses, which shared experiences in trading aquatic and seafood products.

    In the context of a pangasius crisis in Spain and the Carrefour supermarket chain ceasing to sell Vietnamese pangasius, VASEP and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development held a press conference at the exhibition to provide clear information about Viet Nam’s pangasius processing and exports to European partners.

    In his interview with Vietnam News Agency correspondents, VASEP general secretary Truong Dinh Hoe said the press conference aimed to create a correct information channel to deal with the communication crisis on pangasius, targeted at increasing exports of Vietnamese aquatic and seafood products to Europe.

    Alfons van Duijvenbode, a Dutch consultant, said European consumers have a bad impression of Vietnamese pangasius due to false information on social media.

    In recent years, the consumption of Vietnamese pangasius has fallen in the EU, meanwhile other fish have maintained or even increased sales volum, he said.

    He suggested the Vietnamese aquaculture industry interact more with consumers to provide them exact information about the products.

    Head of Vietnamese Trade Office in Belgium Nguyen Canh Cuong said that the office had worked with local partners such as Foreign Trade Association to provide information to Belgium businesses and consumers.

    Also at the event, Viet Nam held other trade promotion activities, including a dialogue for shrimp value chains and a programme for visitors to try Vietnamese seafood.

    Seafood Expo Global, the largest of its kind globally, drew the participation of over 1,600 exhibitors from 77 countries and territories this year.

    It is expected to attract more than 26,000 visitors and exporting and trading enterprises from 144 nations and territories.

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  • Gloria Jean’s Coffee leaves Vietnam

    Gloria Jean’s Coffee leaves Vietnam

    Australia’s Gloria Jean’s Coffee Vietnam has closed its last coffee shop in Ho Chi Minh City, in the Phu My Hung urban area of District 7, after ten years in Vietnam. It arrived in Vietnam in 2007 under a franchise license secured by the VietLifestyle JSC.

    The ten-year deal saw the master franchisee launch coffee shops in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, each involving investment of $200,000.

    VietLifestyle had aimed to open a further 20 locations over the next two years, offering espresso-based, chocolate-based, and cocoa-based drinks to young people, expats, and foreign tourists familiar with the brand.

    The master franchisee was to achieve this in part through sub-franchising the concept and providing operational, marketing, management, and business development support.

    A slowdown hit a few years ago, however, when its prime corner location on Dong Khoi Street in Ho Chi Minh City closed, partly because of high rents.

    Other locations then began to disappear. By the end of last year, only two stores remained: one on Cong Truong Quoc Te in District 1 and the Phu My Hung outlet in District 7.

    Gloria Jean’s was founded in Australia in 1996 with the ambition of being the most loved and respected coffee company worldwide.

    The chain currently has more than 900 outlets in 39 markets worldwide, including more than 400 in Australia.

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