Retail News CRM

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.

  • Philippines rice imports up 19% in 8 months

    Philippines rice imports up 19% in 8 months

    Rice imports to the Philippines amounted to 2.8 million metric tonnes (MT) during the first 8 months of this year, 19% higher than he same period last year, data from the country’s Department of Agriculture (DA) showed.

    In its latest report, the department’s Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) said in August alone, rice from abroad increased to 296,350.9 MT compared to 167,403 MT in July. However, it was still lower than the average monthly arrival of 400,000 MT logged in the earlier months.

    Agriculture Assistant Secretary and spokesman Arnel de Mesa said rice prices have been decreasing. Regular and well-milled rice is sold at around 45 PHP (US$0.8) per kilo and even as low as PHP42, he added.

    According to the report, Vietnam remained the Philippines’ top source of the staple during the period, shipping over 2.17 million MT or around 77% of the country’s total imports in the January-August period. It was followed by Thailand (371,390 MT), Pakistan (156,121 MT) and Myanmar (66,910 MT).

    Last year, inbound shipments of rice totaled 3.6 million MT, down 5.9% from the record-high 3.82 million MT in 2022. The DA projects rice imports for this year will not exceed last year’s volume.

  • Malaysia’s Zus Coffee secures $57m funding, to expand into Singapore, Brunei

    Malaysia’s Zus Coffee secures $57m funding, to expand into Singapore, Brunei

    Malaysian coffee chain Zus Coffee has secured a US$57.27 million (RM 250) investment to support its expansion in Singapore and Brunei this year. The funding was secured from a consortium comprising private equity firm KV Asia Capital, Malaysian pension fund KWAP, and Indonesia’s Kapal Api Group.

    Founded in 2019, Zus Coffee has expanded to become one of Malaysia’s largest coffee chains, with an estimated  550 stores.

    It has also extended its footprint to the Philippines, where it operates 50 stores. This is following a strategic partnership with the Filipino hospitality group Choi Garden Restaurant Company, which acquired a 35 percent stake in the company last year.

    The Edge reports that the investment from KV Asia Capital will be raised in two phases: an initial US$10.7 million (RM 50 million), followed by an additional $42.8 million (RM 200 million) at a later date.

    KV Asia Capital has already invested in several other companies in Southeast Asia. These include the Taguig-based Wildflour Hospitality Group, the Vietnamese logistics firm Bee Logistics, the Indonesian beauty brand Victoria Care, the health food supplement company DXN, and the Malaysian supermarket chain TF Value Mart.

    Ernst & Young Malaysia acted as an adviser for the transaction.

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  • Some markets ramp up imports of Vietnamese durian

    Some markets ramp up imports of Vietnamese durian

    Vietnam’s durian exports to several markets like Thailand, Hong Kong and South Korea rose by double digits year-on-year in the first seven months.

    China remained the biggest buyer as exports rose by nearly 53% to US$1.47 billion, accounting for 92% of all shipments.

    Thailand was second with $65 million, up 51%, followed by Hong Kong, $19 million, up 24%.

    Exports to South Korea, Papua New Guinea, Japan, and Cambodia increased by at least 50%.

    Total exports were also up 50% to $1.6 billion.

    Ngo Tuong Vy, CEO of fruit exporter company Chanh Thu, said Vietnamese durian is more competitively priced than those from Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines.

    Her company saw exports rise by 30% this year because of a decline in Thai output due to unfavorable weather.

    Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruits & Vegetables Association, said many countries are craving Vietnamese durian because of its high quality and availability all year round.

    Vietnam and China’s recent protocol on frozen durian exports would also help boost exports, he added.

    Vietnam exported $2.3 billion worth of durian last year, 90% of it to China.

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  • Domino’s chooses Made With Plants mozzarella for vegan pizzas

    Domino’s chooses Made With Plants mozzarella for vegan pizzas

    Domino’s is now using Made With Plants‘ dairy-free and gluten-free mozzarella for its vegan pizzas across Australia.

    The pizza chain has been serving plant-based pizzas since 2019. Its vegan-friendly offerings include pizza variants Spicy Veg Supreme and Vegan Margherita and sides such as vegan cheesy garlic bread.

    “At Domino’s, we’re passionate about choice,” said Michael Treacy, head of new product development at Domino’s ANZ.

    “As the world’s best bonding food, it’s important that all our customers can share in the joy of pizza, regardless of their religious, ethical, dietary or lifestyle choices, which is why we’re proud to offer a new and improved vegan cheese.”

    Made With Plants mozzarella is also now available at select Domino’s stores and at Coles and Woolworths supermarkets.

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  • Vietnamese passion fruits enter Australian market

    Vietnamese passion fruits enter Australian market

    Passion fruits have become the fifth kind of Vietnamese fruits to be officially exported to Australia, following mango, longan, lychee, and dragon fruit.

    On Monday, the Plant Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in collaboration with the Australian Embassy in Vietnam held a ceremony to announce the export of Vietnamese passion fruits to Australia and the import of Australian plums into Vietnam.

    Huynh Tan Dat, Director of the Plant Protection Department, underlined that Vietnam has great potential and advantages in tropical fruits.

    Currently, Vietnamese fruits are available in over 60 countries and territories. Specifically, passion fruits have been exported to 20 countries in various forms such as fresh, frozen, and juice.

    The area of passion fruit in Vietnam is currently over 12,000 hectares and is expanding, mostly in the northern mountainous region. Many provinces in the Central Highlands are also expanding the cultivation area of this fruit.

    In recent years, Vietnam has concentrated on improving passion fruit quality by promoting chain production and ensuring traceability for the product, focusing on two varieties of yellow passion fruit and purple passion fruit.

  • Domino’s chooses Made With Plants mozzarella for vegan pizzas

    Domino’s chooses Made With Plants mozzarella for vegan pizzas

    Domino’s is now using Made With Plants‘ dairy-free and gluten-free mozzarella for its vegan pizzas across Australia.

    The pizza chain has been serving plant-based pizzas since 2019. Its vegan-friendly offerings include pizza variants Spicy Veg Supreme and Vegan Margherita and sides such as vegan cheesy garlic bread.

    “At Domino’s, we’re passionate about choice,” said Michael Treacy, head of new product development at Domino’s ANZ.

    “As the world’s best bonding food, it’s important that all our customers can share in the joy of pizza, regardless of their religious, ethical, dietary or lifestyle choices, which is why we’re proud to offer a new and improved vegan cheese.”

    Made With Plants mozzarella is also now available at select Domino’s stores and at Coles and Woolworths supermarkets.

  • Heinz launches pickle-flavoured ketchup in Australia

    Heinz launches pickle-flavoured ketchup in Australia

    Heinz is making a twist on its classic tomato sauce by introducing a new pickle-flavoured ketchup in Australia.

    The new flavour blends ketchup with dill pickle for a flexible sauce, which the company ensures “to thrill both pickle fans and ketchup lovers nationwide”.

    The new Heinz Pickle Flavoured Ketchup is already available in Coles stores and will be available countrywide at Woolworths and Metcash on October 14 with an RRP of $5.00.

    Last month, Heinz introduced two new mayo flavours – Cheesy Garlic Bread Aioli and Margherita Pizza Mayonnaise – which it describes as “criminally tasty”.

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  • Belgian brewery Rodenbach launches cherry-flavoured beer

    Belgian brewery Rodenbach launches cherry-flavoured beer

    Belgian craft brewery Rodenbach has made its cherry-flavoured craft beer, Fruitage, available in Australia.

    The beer is made from a blend of ripened and aged ale, young ale, and 7 per cent cherries, processed through “meticulous” fermentation.

    “The main fermentation and warm maturation occur with top-fermenting yeasts at ambient temperatures between 15 to 25 Celsius,” explained the brewery.

    “Secondary fermentation takes place over a two-year maturation period in oak casks, facilitated by bacterial flora and wild yeasts present in the oak.”

    These microorganisms initially produce organic acids, which are then transformed into fruity esters, giving Fruitage its distinct, vibrant taste.

    Rodenbach Fruitage is available in Dan Murphy’s and BWS stores nationwide at an RRP of $17 for a four-pack and $84.99 for a case.

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  • Kopi Kenangan to enter the Philippines and India

    Kopi Kenangan to enter the Philippines and India

    Indonesian coffee chain Kopi Kenangan – also known as Kenangan Coffee – is expanding its global footprint, beginning with the launch of its first stores in India and the Philippines.

    The company will open its first Philippine store in October at SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City.

    In India, Kopi Kenangan will make its debut early next year through a licensing agreement with a local F&B business. However, specific details have yet to be finalised.

    During its initial expansion phase in Southeast Asia, the company said it would focus on establishing at least 10 stores in shopping centres.

    “Our expansion into Malaysia and Singapore is a testament to our commitment to serving quality coffee to more people around the world,” said Edward Tirtanata, founder and CEO of Kopi Kenangan.

    “Moving forward, we hope to continue expanding our reach by opening 500 international Kenangan Coffee outlets across various countries,” he said.

    Founded in 2017, Kopi Kenangan is one of the largest branded coffee chains in Indonesia, with more than  900 outlets across 60 cities.

    The brand made its international debut in Malaysia in 2022, followed by an expansion into Singapore last year, where it currently operates 48 and seven locations, respectively.

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  • As it exits other markets, Flash Coffee doubles down on Indonesia

    As it exits other markets, Flash Coffee doubles down on Indonesia

    Flash Coffee is expanding its footprint in Indonesia, with new store openings planned across Jakarta and Bandung and the rollout of new food and beverage offerings.

    The coffee chain said each outlet offers a larger space with a sit-and-stay design to encourage customers to have their coffees in-store. At the same time, it launched a more user-friendly process for digital ordering on its proprietary app.

    After last year’s restructuring, the company said its main focus is now on Indonesia and franchising the brand in other countries, following the closure of Flash Coffee in other Asian markets and the sale of its brand in Thailand as a franchise.

    Flash Coffee founder and CEO David Bruinier thanked its customer base and said the company is “just getting started” on its Indonesian expansion.

    “We are now expanding our footprint in the country, with plans to add many new stores to our portfolio within the next 12 months,” he added.

    The coffee chain now operates 67 stores and reported an increase in revenue per store by over 50 percent from early this year, reaching operational profitability.

    Launched in Singapore in 2020, the “tech-driven” coffee chain is now backed by New York-based venture capital firm White Star Capital as its largest shareholder after raising US$50 million in a Series B funding round last year.

    Jakob Angele, executive chairman of Flash Coffee and venture partner at White Star Capital, said the company is pleased with the brand’s success in Indonesia.

    “Indonesia is one of the most exciting and vibrant coffee markets worldwide. Flash Coffee is uniquely positioned to serve its growing demand for high-quality coffee,” he concluded.

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  • Wendy’s Philippines sold to new owner as Dennis Uy exits food retail

    Wendy’s Philippines sold to new owner as Dennis Uy exits food retail

    Wendy’s Philippines and Conti’s Bakeshop, run by Filippino businessman Dennis Uy, have been sold to a local entrepreneur.

    Uy has decided to sell his Eight8Ate Holdings company, which operates the two chains, to Crystal Jacinto. The sale comes after the multibillion-peso food retailing business bundle has been on the market for almost two years.

    Jacinto, who runs European Wellness Villa Medica Manila – a health and wellness centre specialising in anti-aging and disease management solutions, will take full control of the company, according to the news agency’s sources. She is also reportedly backed by her husband and Malaysian businessman Jaya Sudhir.

    Wendy’s, which had 70 stores as of June, and Conti’s, which had 74 stores, were acquired by Uy in 2019, shortly before the pandemic.

    Conti’s is considered the more profitable of the two brands, which led to the bundling of Wendy’s in the deal.

    The sale also includes the remaining shares of Conti’s founding sisters – Cecille Conti Maranon, Carole Conti Sumulong, and Angela Conti Martinez – who have agreed to sell their residual stake directly to Jacinto, cites the news agency.

    Neither Uy nor Jacinto has yet to comment on the transaction at the time of writing.

    Apart from Eight8Ate Holdings, Uy is also the founder of Udenna, a conglomerate involved in petroleum, oil and gas, shipping, logistics, real estate, education, and gaming.

  • Rice exports top $3.8B in 8 months

    Rice exports top $3.8B in 8 months

    Vietnam exported 6.16 million tons of rice worth nearly US$3.85 billion in the first eight months of this year, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has said.

    This marked a 5.9% increase in volume and a 21.7% growth in value from the same period last year.

    According to the MARD, along with the increase in output, the average rice export price in the period also rose about 14.8%, reaching $625 per ton.

    In the domestic market, prices of many types of rice in the Mekong Delta region remained stable last week compared to the previous week.

    Specifically, prices in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang remained unchanged for popular varieties such as Dai Thom (fragrant rice) 8, OM 5451 and OM 18.

    Regular rice retails at VND15,000-16,000 (US$0.6-0.64) per kilogram, while long-grain fragrant rice is sold at about VND20,000-21,000.

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  • Vietnam pepper exports to top $1B in 2024

    Vietnam pepper exports to top $1B in 2024

    Vietnam could ship more than US$1 billion worth of pepper abroad for the whole 2024 on the back of high global demand and limited supply, according to the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association (VPSA).

    The pepper industry, the association said, is on track to return to the “billion-dollar” club, with export revenues hitting US$764.2 million as of July 30.

    During the seven-month span, more than 164,300 tonnes of pepper was sold to foreign markets at an average export price of $4,568 per tonne for black pepper and $6,195 per tonne for white pepper, up 32.7% and 25%, respectively, year on year.

    The U.S. was the largest purchaser, followed by Germany, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and India.

    Brazil, the world’s second-biggest black pepper producer and exporter, has suffered crop failure, driving global prices skyward for the remaining months of 2024. Production in Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia is also forecast to fall sharply due to the impacts of El Nino.

    In the next three to five years, pepper supply will lag behind demand.

    Domestic pepper prices in July fetched VND150,000 (over $6) per kilogram, rising 82.9% against January, and 120.6% year-on-year.

    The VPSA forecasts a fluctuation in pepper prices in the coming time due to formidable challenges in the market.

    According to a survey conducted by the VPSA in three Central Highlands localities in July, along with extreme weather caused by climate change, farmers chose durian and coffee production over pepper as the first two fetch higher prices.

    Vietnam’s key pepper planting areas of Gia Lai, Dak Lak and Dak Nong in the Central Highlands, and Binh Phuoc, Dong Nai and Ba Ria–Vung Tau in the southeastern region slashed cultivation acreage by 50% as compared to peak cultivation times.

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  • Thai durian dominates Chinese market

    Thai durian dominates Chinese market

    Thailand is consolidating its position as the leading supplier of durians to China, reported the South China Morning Post.

    Shipments of fresh durians from Thailand to China – the world’s top consumer of the pungent fruits – rebounded in the second quarter after a drop earlier this year. It is attributed to a seasonal harvest spike and a lasting reputation for quality.

    Data from China Customs showed that durian imports from Thailand reached nearly $2.67 billion, accounting for 75% of total fruit imports. This figure is a significant improvement compared to the 42.5% recorded in the first quarter of this year. In addition, Thailand accounted for 68% of China’s durian import market share in 2023.

    Thailand’s main competitor, Vietnam, supplied almost all of the remaining shipments in the second quarter. Vietnamese durians are more competitive in terms of price than their Thai peers in China due to lower transport costs thanks to the use of land border.

    According to Liang Yan, an economist at Willamette University in the U.S. state of Oregon, Thailand has long had a “first mover advantage” among Chinese consumers.

    The second quarter of each year marks the major harvest season for Thai durians, observers said, while consistency of flavour and brand recognition grant additional appeal.

    Thailand’s increased share in the second quarter can be mainly attributed to the seasonal peak of Thai durian production, their strong and established trade networks, and consumer preference for Thai durians during this time, said Lim Chin Khee, an adviser with the Durian Academy, an institution that trains Malaysian growers.

    China, the world’s biggest buyer of durians, imported 1.4 million tonnes in 2023. Dubbed “king of fruits” by many consumers, it is treated as a delicacy and has even been given as a gift to celebrate special occasions such as weddings.

    Thai durians remain popular in China largely because the flavour seldom wavers, though the fruits lack the variety of taste, said Song Seng Wun, an economic adviser at the Singapore-based financial services firm CGS.

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  • Vietnamese no longer spend $4 on coffee

    Vietnamese no longer spend $4 on coffee

    Young entrepreneurs looking to start a coffee shop should be aware that customers are increasingly reluctant to spend over VND100,000 ($4) on a cup of coffee, opting instead for more affordable alternatives.

    I used to visit coffee shops regularly, but in recent years that is no longer the case. I feel like I can work from home just as easily, and spending VND50,000-70,000 ($2-2.8) on a cup of coffee for a few hours at a shop does not seem worth it.

    In a recent survey, the most common spending range was between VND41,000 and VND70,000 VND per cup, according to 45% of respondents. Many Vietnamese have stopped spending VND100,000 per drink, the survey said.

    Going to coffee shops has become much more expensive ever since I started brewing coffee at home. Even if I am in a rush, I will buy machine-brewed coffee from a street vendor for just VND15,000.

    Coffee shops, however, need to cover a variety of costs, including labor, ingredients and most importantly, rents. To open a good coffee shop, the location has to be prime and spacious, but the rent is far from cheap.

    I have observed that my friends now visit coffee shops less frequently. They only go when they have meetings with clients or business partners, and even then, not very often. For casual chatting and socializing, they prefer affordable street cafés.

    In my opinion, these trends indicate that competition in the food and beverage industry, especially in the coffee shop sector, is becoming increasingly fierce. The closure of 30,000 establishments in the first half of the year is one clear example of this.

    With this in mind, those of you looking to start a business by opening a coffee shop or a coffee chain need to be extremely cautious and thoughtful. As consumers become more price-conscious, convincing them to spend money will become more challenging.