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Tag: food and beverage

  • Twelve Chinese Food and Beverage Brands Reach $63.4 Billion Valuation

    Twelve Chinese Food and Beverage Brands Reach $63.4 Billion Valuation

    Twelve Chinese food and beverage brands expanded their collective brand valuation to $63.4 billion this year, according to valuation data from consultancy Brand Finance.

    The gain reflects steady domestic volume and pricing power across packaged food, dairy, and drinks makers in China. Brand valuation measures the net economic benefit that a brand owner achieves by licensing the name in the open market.

    Domestic Scale and Category Strength

    Consumer staples manufacturers across the country have focused on product differentiation and distribution depth in lower-tier cities. Brand Finance tracks consumer enterprises globally, applying royalty relief methodology to calculate future revenue attributable to brand equity.

    Chinese producers have converted local consumer familiarity into commercial resilience. Direct control over supply chains and rapid adaptation to retail trends helped the 12 brands maintain their valuation trajectory.

    Shifting Competition Across Asian Aisles

    For multinational food groups operating in East Asia, the strength of domestic Chinese labels presents a persistent competitive hurdle. Global conglomerates face rivals that command supermarket shelf space while dominating live-commerce channels and local delivery apps.

    Several Chinese packaged goods producers have also expanded distribution across Southeast Asia, placing products directly into supermarkets in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.

    Investors and retail operators now look to upcoming quarterly financial filings from Chinese consumer staple producers to see whether higher brand value translates directly into operating margin expansion.

  • Comvita Swings to NZ$7.7 Million Annual Profit on Honey Reset

    Comvita Swings to NZ$7.7 Million Annual Profit on Honey Reset

    New Zealand Manuka honey producer Comvita swung to a net profit after tax of NZ$7.7 million for fiscal 2026, rebounding from a NZ$104.8 million loss a year earlier.

    Operating profit reached NZ$14 million for the twelve months ended June 30, reversing a NZ$29 million operating deficit booked during the previous financial year.

    Margin Recovery and Cost Discipline

    Gross profit climbed 38.8 per cent to NZ$114.8 million across the period. That performance expanded the group gross margin to 53.9 per cent as efficiency measures took hold across manufacturing and inventory handling.

    The return to the black follows an intensive reset programme that targeted operational costs after heavy inventory impairments and market softness damaged earnings in fiscal 2025.

    Asia Demand and Export Execution

    Comvita built its business on premium functional food demand across Greater China, Southeast Asia and North America. Premium specialty honey brands in the region spent the past two years battling cautious consumer spending, cross-border channel resets and distributor destocking across East Asian department stores and cross-border platforms.

    Market attention now turns to export volume trends in Asian retail channels over the first half of fiscal 2027 to verify whether the margin gains hold up in core consumer accounts.

  • It’s Olio Reaches Seven Figures and Targets $2 Million in Online Sales

    It’s Olio Reaches Seven Figures and Targets $2 Million in Online Sales

    South Australian olive oil brand It’s Olio has reached seven figures in revenue three years after launching on an initial budget of $10,000. The direct-to-consumer label now targets more than $2 million in online sales before the end of 2026.

    Founder Alec Randall conceived the business after travelling through Sicily in 2022 and attending local cooking classes. He started commercial operations the following year, focusing on premium olive oil marketing and digital direct sales.

    Cross-border digital distribution

    The business built its initial customer base in Australia before adding distribution across New Zealand and the United States. Online sales provide the core revenue engine, allowing the producer to handle fulfilment and marketing across three separate national markets.

    Self-funded pantry startups across the region increasingly bypass traditional supermarket contracts early in their lifecycles. High grocery shelf fees in major retail chains make pure-play e-commerce a leaner route to prove export demand before pursuing physical wholesale distribution.

    Targets for the current financial year

    Direct export logistics remain the main testing ground for boutique Australian food labels selling into North America and Australasia. Controlling fulfilment costs across multiple shipping zones will decide whether the brand maintains gross margins as volume scales.

    The company is now working to convert its offshore digital traffic into recurring subscriptions, with management targeting the $2 million online sales threshold before the close of the calendar year.

  • I’m Donut? Expands into Southeast Asia with Kuala Lumpur Store in September

    I’m Donut? Expands into Southeast Asia with Kuala Lumpur Store in September

    Japanese bakery brand I’m donut? Will open its first Southeast Asian store in Kuala Lumpur this September. The store brings the company’s signature raw nama donuts to Malaysia for its regional debut.

    The concept built long queues across Tokyo with fried dough that uses pumpkin puree and high hydration to achieve a soft texture. The brand now enters Southeast Asia as international food and beverage operators target urban shopping destinations across the region.

    Expansion beyond Japan

    Malaysia frequently serves as an entry point for Japanese food brands testing regional appetites. Operators rely on high consumer familiarity with Japanese retail concepts and strong mall foot traffic in the Klang Valley to build brand momentum before expanding into neighbouring countries.

    Specialty dessert brands across Southeast Asia have shifted toward focused single-item menus. High-turnover bakery concepts allow operators to keep production footprints compact while driving customer traffic through distinct product formats.

    Competition in premium baked goods

    Artisanal bakery chains and overseas dessert operators are competing directly for prime retail space in major Malaysian retail centres. Premium baked goods have maintained steady foot traffic even as broader consumer discretionary spending faces pressure from food inflation and import costs.

    RetailNews Asia notes that dessert chains expanding internationally must balance localized supply chains with the need to match the taste profiles of their original domestic stores. The company plans to announce the exact retail site and opening schedule in Kuala Lumpur ahead of the September launch.

  • Moondarra Expands Dairy Line with Cranberry Vanilla Cream Cheese at Woolworths

    Moondarra Expands Dairy Line with Cranberry Vanilla Cream Cheese at Woolworths

    Australian dairy brand Moondarra Cheese has rolled out a cranberry and vanilla soft cheese across selected Woolworths supermarkets nationwide, priced at $4.20 for a 120-gram tub.

    The product uses the manufacturer’s triple cream cheese base blended with cranberries and vanilla. Alongside the new SKU, Moondarra refreshed the packaging design across its broader line of marinated cheeses to improve shelf visibility in the specialty deli and dairy aisles.

    Supermarket Dairy Competition

    Sweet and savoury combination cheeses have gained shelf space in Australian grocers as producers target entertaining platters and snacking occasions. Woolworths and rival Coles have both reshuffled their specialty cheese sets over the past two years, replacing slower-moving European imports with local flavoured cheeses that offer higher margins and shorter supply chains.

    For Moondarra, the rollout secures valuable facings in Australia’s largest supermarket network. Supermarket dairy aisles remain tightly contested as private-label options squeeze mid-tier branded producers on everyday staples, pushing commercial cheese makers toward higher-value sweet and marinated segments.

    Distribution and Retail Presence

    The new cheese formulation is now available in selected Woolworths stores across the country. Moondarra will monitor sales performance across the network ahead of the key summer entertaining season.

  • New Zealand Children Food Brand Odi Launches Direct Sales in Australia

    New Zealand Children Food Brand Odi Launches Direct Sales in Australia

    New Zealand children’s food maker Odi entered Australia on August 28, 2026. The launch brings direct-to-consumer sales in the brand’s first international expansion outside its home market.

    Domestic retail distribution across New Zealand came first. Now, the company is targeting Australian shoppers through an online-first model.

    Direct Sales Before Supermarket Shelves

    Odi sells directly to households through its website during this initial launch. Later, it plans to secure distribution agreements with nationwide Australian grocery and food retailers.

    This export push tests whether New Zealand brand momentum translates across the Tasman without immediate supermarket placement. Direct shipping builds customer demand data first. That gives the brand use before it negotiates wholesale terms with major supermarket chains.

    Scrutiny on Infant Food Formulations

    Regulators in Australia are paying closer attention to packaged children’s food formulations. Government research found commercial infant and toddler products are major sources of dietary sugar. That finding puts pressure on established FMCG manufacturers to reformulate ranges.

    Retail buyers have responded by reviewing children’s food ranges, opening shelf space for newer independent labels. Direct sales offer New Zealand brands a fast entry point while buyers evaluate these category shifts.

    Odi will run direct fulfillment in Australia while it finalizes retail supply partnerships for a planned nationwide physical store rollout.

  • Lotte GRS to Re-Enter Indonesia with 10 Angel-in-Us Coffee Outlets

    Lotte GRS to Re-Enter Indonesia with 10 Angel-in-Us Coffee Outlets

    South Korean restaurant operator Lotte GRS will reintroduce its Angel-in-Us coffee brand to Indonesia through a master franchise agreement with Surabaya-based Bogajaya Group.

    Bogajaya plans to open 10 outlets across Indonesia over the next five years, starting with a debut location before the end of 2026.

    The agreement brings Angel-in-Us back to Southeast Asia’s largest economy after Lotte pulled its direct operations in 2020. Bogajaya Group, an Indonesian food and retail operator with nearly 50 years of operating history, specializes in travel retail and runs concessions across the country’s major airports.

    Airport operator takes the master franchise

    Lotte GRS operates several consumer foodservice brands across Asia and the United States, including burger chain Lotteria, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Villa de Charlotte, and food hall concept Plating. Outside its home market in South Korea, the group runs locations in Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and the US.

    Securing a local franchisee with established airport concessions allows foreign food groups to avoid the heavy capital commitments and real estate bottlenecks that often hamper direct store operations in Indonesia. South Korean food operators have increasingly favored asset-light franchise partnerships across Southeast Asia, shifting operational risk to domestic companies with existing commercial lease networks.

    Southeast Asian expansion targets

    The Indonesian rollout follows Lotte GRS’s push into neighboring markets earlier this year. The company introduced its Lotteria fast-food chain to Singapore in February with an opening at Jewel Changi Airport.

    Bogajaya will begin store buildouts immediately, targeting its first Angel-in-Us site launch before January 2027 as it starts the 10-unit rollout schedule.

  • F&N Expands NutriWell Line with Pistachio Chocolate Oat Milk

    F&N Expands NutriWell Line with Pistachio Chocolate Oat Milk

    Fraser and Neave launched NutriWell Pistachio Chocolate Oatmilk in Singapore this week, adding a flavored nut-and-grain blend to its packaged wellness beverage portfolio.

    The formulation pairs dairy-free oat milk with pistachio and chocolate flavoring, positioning the product directly at shoppers looking for plant-based indulgence.

    Flavour Blends in Plant Milk

    NutriWell formulated the new release entirely free of dairy to cater to lactose-intolerant consumers and vegan shoppers. The recipe pairs oat milk with pistachio, a flavour that has gained rapid traction across regional bakery, ice cream, and specialty coffee menus over the past twelve months.

    Packaged in ready-to-drink cartons, the drink provides an alternative to conventional chocolate cow milk and plain soya drinks. F&N designed the line to sit in chilled retail cabinets alongside standard dairy items rather than specialty vegan shelves.

    Chilled Dairy Alternatives in Southeast Asia

    Regional beverage makers across Southeast Asia have shifted away from plain soy and almond bases toward composite grain formulations. Major bottlers now combine oat bases with dessert-inspired profiles to protect shelf space as standard plant milk volumes plateau in mature supermarket channels.

    Retail distribution is rolling out across Singapore supermarkets and convenience outlets this month, with regional channel expansion across Malaysia scheduled for the following quarter.

  • Chinese Restaurant Chains Target US Market as Domestic Growth Slows

    Chinese Restaurant Chains Target US Market as Domestic Growth Slows

    Chinese restaurant chains are expanding across the United States to offset slowing growth at home, betting American diners are finally ready to embrace authentic regional menus.

    The push enters a market that already counts more Chinese dining spots than individual locations of almost any major American fast-food chain. For decades, those menus relied heavily on Westernised adaptations like chop suey and fortune cookies, both created in the United States rather than mainland China. Traditional fare struggled to gain traction during the twentieth century as immigrant chefs navigated widespread consumer resistance and discrimination.

    Shifting from takeout staples to authentic menus

    Domestic headwinds across China’s dining sector are now accelerating the overseas push. Operators face tighter consumer spending and intense margin pressure in their home cities, making international expansion an urgent priority rather than a long-term experiment.

    Instead of modifying dishes to suit Western palates, newer entrants are bringing specialized formats straight from the mainland. Concepts range from high-end Michelin-starred Peking duck houses to regional hotpot and noodle formats. The shift reflects growing diner familiarity with authentic Chinese culinary traditions, moving the market away from generic takeout boxes toward distinct regional identities.

    Navigating saturated overseas markets

    Breaking into the American market presents operational hurdles despite the historical presence of Chinese food. Mainland chains must manage higher labor expenses, complex local supply chains, and entrenched domestic competitors while maintaining recipe authenticity.

    The test for Chinese operators is whether authentic regional concepts can capture mainstream suburban foot traffic or remain confined to dense urban centers with established Asian diaspora populations.

  • 888 Tea and Coffee Partners with Tourism Malaysia for Teh Tarik Push

    888 Tea and Coffee Partners with Tourism Malaysia for Teh Tarik Push

    Malaysian beverage brand 888 Tea & Coffee has partnered with Tourism Malaysia to promote traditional teh tarik culture. The joint effort comes ahead of the Visit Malaysia 2026-2027 tourism campaign.

    Under the agreement, the homegrown manufacturer becomes an official strategic partner for the national push. It will use the country’s pulled-tea culture to market local food and beverage heritage to incoming travellers.

    Cultural marketing and national campaign rollouts

    Organisers launched the collaboration in Putrajaya ahead of Merdeka Day 2026 under the campaign title Bersama Kita Tertarik. The brand also produced a multicultural musical collaboration featuring Malaysian performers Alif Satar & The Locos, Danny Koo, and Kidd Santhe.

    Mohd Akbal Setia, deputy director general of promotions at Tourism Malaysia, said the project supports wider work to position the country as a primary gastronomy destination. Traditional kopitiam and mamak stall formats remain major entry points for culinary tourism across Southeast Asia.

    Alvin Ang See Ming, executive director of 888 Tea & Coffee, said the family-founded merchant wants to connect traditional beverage rituals with modern retail and hospitality channels.

    Beverage brands tap domestic heritage for regional reach

    Heritage food and drink makers across Southeast Asia regularly lean on state tourism drives to defend domestic market share against imported ready-to-drink brands. Similar state-backed promotions in Thailand and Indonesia have helped turn traditional beverages into exportable packaged goods.

    Tying product lines directly to national campaigns secures shelf visibility as retail channels prepare for higher tourist traffic.

    Next, Tourism Malaysia and the brand will roll out promotional activations across transport hubs and retail trade counters through the official launch of Visit Malaysia 2026-2027.

  • Every Half Coffee Roasters Secures $8 Million in Series A Funding

    Every Half Coffee Roasters Secures $8 Million in Series A Funding

    Vietnamese specialty coffee chain Every Half Coffee Roasters has secured $8 million in a Series A funding round to expand its retail footprint and supply operations.

    The capital injection provides the Ho Chi Minh City-based roaster with fresh resources to scale its cafe network and upgrade processing facilities across domestic markets.

    Expanding Roastery and Store Footprint

    Founded to champion Vietnamese specialty beans alongside international varieties, Every Half operates a growing roster of cafe locations alongside its roasting business. The new financing enables the company to accelerate new outlet openings in key urban centers, while bolstering direct sourcing partnerships with domestic coffee farmers.

    Operating in an increasingly sophisticated domestic cafe market, the brand focuses on single-origin offerings, specialized brewing methods, and modern retail store formats designed for urban consumers.

    Shifting Dynamics in Vietnam’s Coffee Market

    Vietnam remains the world’s second-largest coffee producer, yet its retail landscape has long been dominated by traditional robusta street stalls and large domestic chains like Highlands Coffee and Phuc Long. Over the past five years, consumer preferences in major cities have shifted toward premium arabica, specialty roasters, and traceable sourcing.

    Independent chains across Southeast Asia are tapping institutional capital to challenge both legacy domestic operators and global giants such as Starbucks. For RetailNews Asia readers tracking regional food and beverage investments, the round confirms sustained venture interest in premium cafe concepts that control both roasting and retail touchpoints.

    Every Half now turns to executing its multi-city rollout schedule as competitors race for prime commercial real estate in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

  • South Korea Tightens Regulatory Requirements for Foreign Food Facility Imports

    South Korea Tightens Regulatory Requirements for Foreign Food Facility Imports

    South Korea has strengthened its regulatory framework for food imports, imposing tighter requirements on overseas facilities that manufacture and process products bound for the domestic market.

    The updated measures target foreign food manufacturing plants and export facilities, increasing scrutiny on safety standards and compliance records before shipments clear customs.

    Stricter oversight for overseas facilities

    Under the enhanced framework, overseas food production sites supplying South Korean buyers must meet updated registration and safety verification rules. Importers and foreign operators must maintain verified documentation confirming compliance with national safety standards, reducing contamination risks across cross-border supply chains.

    Border authorities retain the mandate to audit and inspect overseas facilities directly when risk factors or compliance discrepancies arise during entry processing.

    Regional trade and compliance demands

    Regulators across East Asia continue to raise the bar for food safety governance, aligning import protocols with domestic manufacturing standards to protect consumers. Stricter facility requirements place heavier administrative obligations on international food brands and regional suppliers exporting packaged food, raw ingredients, and agricultural commodities to South Korea.

    Foreign suppliers and domestic importers must complete required registrations and facility filings ahead of scheduled shipping cycles to prevent port delays and product rejections.

  • Mondelēz Rolls Out Three Limited Oreo Flavours in National Consumer Vote

    Mondelēz Rolls Out Three Limited Oreo Flavours in National Consumer Vote

    Mondelēz International released three limited-edition Oreo flavours across Australia on August 24. Consumers will vote on which variant secures a permanent production run in 2027.

    The Twist, Lick, Vote promotion opened with an online presale before stock hit supermarket shelves nationwide. Banana Pudding, Deep Fried, and Chicken & Waffles make up the experimental trio.

    Flavour profiles and voting mechanics

    Banana Pudding combines banana and vanilla pudding flavoured creme in a dual layer between vanilla wafer cookies. The other two entries rely on savoury and novelty profiles to drive social engagement and trial purchases.

    Shoppers cast votes online after sampling the range. The flavour with the highest tally transitions to regular factory production next year.

    Crowdsourced menu strategy

    Packaged food manufacturers across the Asia-Pacific region frequently run voting campaigns to test unconventional formulations without committing to full manufacturing lines. The tactic limits inventory risk while driving retail footfall.

    Mondelēz has not disclosed production volumes for the limited batch or the exact closing date for voting. Tally results and the winning permanent flavour will follow once polling wraps up.

  • BioCheese Launches Protein-Fortified Vegan Cheddar at Coles for $9

    BioCheese Launches Protein-Fortified Vegan Cheddar at Coles for $9

    BioCheese has launched a protein-fortified plant-based cheddar shred across Australian supermarket chain Coles, priced at $9 for a 200-gram pack.

    The product delivers 10 grams of protein per 100 grams, making it the first added-protein dairy-free cheese stocked in Australian grocery aisles.

    Pea Protein and Melting Performance

    Formulated with pea protein, the shredded cheese is built specifically for hot and cold culinary applications. The brand designed the shred to melt in toasties and baked dishes while holding texture in tacos and salads.

    Each unit ships in a resealable 200-gram pouch intended for standard refrigerated dairy and plant-based sections across Coles supermarkets nationally.

    Protein Claims in Plant Dairy

    Plant-based cheese alternatives have historically faced pushback from shoppers over low nutritional value compared to traditional dairy cheddar. While standard dairy cheese provides around 25 grams of protein per 100 grams, standard coconut oil and starch-based alternatives often register near zero.

    By adding 10 grams of functional plant protein, BioCheese is testing whether enhanced nutritional metrics can defend premium shelf space as price-conscious shoppers scrutinise grocery spending across the Asia-Pacific region.

    Distribution is now live across Coles stores, with retail buyers watching whether the $9 price point can sustain regular basket repeat rates against traditional dairy blocks.

  • Noumi Revenue Climbs 8.8 Percent to $648.4 Million on Dairy Demand

    Noumi Revenue Climbs 8.8 Percent to $648.4 Million on Dairy Demand

    Noumi grew full-year revenue 8.8 per cent to $648.4 million for the twelve months ended June 30, led by gains in its dairy and nutritionals division.

    Adjusted operating earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation rose 7.6 per cent to $61.8 million, up from the prior corresponding period.

    Earnings improve despite shipping drag

    The Sydney-listed maker of MilkLab absorbed an estimated $2 million hit to second-half operating EBITDA caused by trade disruptions linked to conflict in the Middle East. Statutory net loss after tax narrowed 55.2 per cent to $67.2 million as legacy liabilities and exceptional costs receded.

    Operational gains came largely from higher processing volumes across dairy and plant-based beverage lines. Factory throughput remained steady across packaging facilities, offsetting higher ingredient costs with targeted wholesale price adjustments in key commercial accounts.

    Regional cafe demand supports volume

    Plant-based beverage suppliers across Asia-Pacific have faced stiff competition from local co-packers and expanding oat milk capacity. Noumi has leaned on barista-grade distribution across Southeast Asian coffee chains to protect margins that grocery private-label contracts often erode.

    Investors are tracking Noumi’s upcoming annual general meeting for detailed export segment breakdowns and full-year capital expenditure plans.