Breaking News on Food and Beverage in Asia Pacific

Olam, ADM acquire Cameroon cocoa processor

Singapore-based cocoa bean supplier Olam has jointly acquired the Cameroon cocoa processor Usicam with ADM, the world's largest cocoa processor, giving both firms greater economy of scale in the African market.

Food miles debate reignited by climate change report

New Zealand's kiwifruit is the latest food export to be named as a contributor to global warming, prompted by a new UK report on climate change.

China unveils plan to boost food industry profits

The Chinese government has announced a five-year plan for its food industry, designed to make the dairy, beverages and other sectors more profitable.

Vietnam food market to benefit under WTO

Food processors in Vietnam can expect to see higher quality raw materials and lower prices on imported ingredients as the country becomes a full member of the World Trade Organisation.

Daesang buys Doosan food business

South Korean machinery and food maker Doosan said on Friday that it has agreed to sell its kimchi and other food brands to rival food group Daesang for KW105 billion (€87m).

Coffee culture thriving in Hong Kong

Coffee culture is thriving in Hong Kong with close to one third of residents now purchasing ready-to-drink coffee outside of the home, according to a new survey.

Folic acid fortification on hold

A recommendation to introduce mandatory folic acid fortification for Australia and New Zealand's bakers will come under further review, said the country's ministers yesterday.

Australia launches plan to cut trans fats

Australia's government will work with industry to reduce trans fatty acids in Australian food, it announced this week, despite figures that suggest intake of the fats among the population is within safe limits.

Drought swells production costs for Australian poultry farmers

Poultry processors in Australia are expected to implement 'significant price increases' for chicken meat, as drought leads to surging grain prices, a major production cost for the country's chicken farmers.

Packaging giants see rapid growth in China

European makers of dairy and beverage packaging are planning further expansion in China as they continue to sign some of their biggest orders in this booming food market.

China to lift tariffs on Indonesian cocoa

China will remove the import duty on Indonesian cocoa from 1 January next year, a move likely to increase demand for the beans from the world's third biggest producer.

Australian drought could impact dairy prices

Buyers of Australian dairy products are facing uncertainty over future supplies and pricing as the country's farmers weigh up the impact of a prolonged drought on their output.

San Miguel enters Thai fruit juice market

San Miguel, the Philippines-based food and beverage conglomerate, has entered the Thai fruit juice market with the launch of the Berri brand.

New cold chain facility for Vietnam

Malaysian cold storage provider Haisan Resources has invested some US$3.6 million to set up a temperature-controlled logistics facility in southern Vietnam.

Kids' views on food count, says NPD expert

More foodmakers should do research with children before developing new products, says a sensory research expert.

Alcohol firms fight ad ban in Thailand

Alcohol importers and producers in Thailand are preparing to take their case against a planned ban on all alcohol advertising to the country's highest court, according to reports.

Quality adds value for China's milk suppliers

Demand for high-end milks, or those claimed to have higher levels of fat and protein, are outstripping supply by China's leading dairies, as consumers demonstrate that they are willing to spend more on high quality milk.

Japan's elderly create market for special foods

Foodmakers offering products designed specifically for the elderly should look at exporting to Japan, a market with one of the fastest growing elderly populations, says the Australian export agency Austrade.

Asian Citrus boosts profits with supermarket deals

Asian Citrus, the Chinese orange plantation owner, said its full-year pretax profit rose 17 per cent, helped by new direct supply contracts with supermarket chains in China.

Organic bakers call for exemption on folic acid

Organic bakers in New Zealand are calling for a let-out clause to folic acid fortification, which could become mandatory for breadmakers if Australian and New Zealand ministers give it the go-ahead next week.

Friesland to build second dairy plant in Vietnam

Dutch dairy group Friesland Foods will build a second dairy plant in Vietnam, it revealed last week, allowing it to meet strong demand for its products in the rapidly growing Vietnamese dairy market.

Indofood adds palm oil plantations to enter biofuel sector

The world's biggest instant noodle maker, Indofood, said yesterday that its edible oils division plans to buy majority stakes in three palm oil plantations giving it sufficient raw material to enter the emerging biofuels sector.

F&N takes over Nestlé milk business in Asia

Fraser & Neave, the Malaysian beverage and glass group, has signed a RM310 million (67.2m) deal with Nestlé to produce and sell the Swiss group's liquid milk products in south-east Asia.

Realcold boosts freezing system offering with Starfrost deal

Refrigeration group Realcold has signed an exclusive supply deal with the UK freezing and chilling equipment maker Starfrost, allowing it to offer IQF freezers and spiral tunnels at more competitive prices.

Asia's rising wealth boosts alcohol makers

Asia's elite are drinking more wine, champagne and imported beer as their growing spending power makes them increasingly important for the luxury goods industry.

Diageo overhauls Asia supply chain

Diageo, the maker of Johnnie Walker whiskey and Guinness stout, has opened a S$13 million (6.54m) logistics hub in Singapore to cut the time it takes for its alcoholic drinks to reach Asian markets.

Philippines to import chicken after typhoon destroys farms

The Philippines will import 3,000 tons of chicken from the US after the recent typhoon destroyed numerous poultry farms.

Australian nanotech firm promises better food packaging film

An Australian nanotechnology company has gained funding to develop a clear food packaging film with superior UV absorption to those products already on the market.

China to set standards for burgeoning colostrum market

Chinese regulators are developing standards for bovine colostrum, the first milk from cows that has a growing following as a health product among Chinese consumers.

Fonterra develops new milk powder quality test

Fonterra researchers have developed a flow cytometry test that can be used to assess the quality of milk powder.

China laps up healthy drinks

Beverages with a healthy twist are booming within the Chinese beverage market according to a report from global beverage research specialists Canadean.

Snow Beer produces largest volume of Chinese beer

CR Snow, a joint venture between SABMiller and China Resources, has become the largest brewer in China by sales volume and by brewing capacity, announced its owners last week.

Australian wheat crop could hit all-time low

Australian wheat production may reach less than 10 million metric tons this year, less than half of normal, due to drought and late-season freezes, according to industry experts.

Fast food craze in China good for potato processors

The rapid growth of China's fast food industry is boosting demand for frozen French fries and other processed potato products, helping to offset a downward trend in more mature markets due to consumer health concerns, reveals a new report.

Galactic j-v doubles lactic acid capacity in China

Belgian lactic acid producer Galactic will double capacity at its joint venture plant in China to meet rising demand for the additive in food production.

Membrane cleans water using live bacteria

An eating, breathing membrane technology uses bacteria to clean waste water and sewage.

Wrigley's pushes gum fortification down under

An application to add calcium to chewing gum has been lodged with Food Standards Australia New Zealand by Wrigley's, which would allow gum sold in Australia to be fortified with the mineral for the first time.

Dragon to build new nanotechnology packaging plant

Dragon International is expecting annual sales of $125m (€100m) from a new nanotechnology packaging plant being built in China.

FSANZ reviews enzymes in food processing

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has called for comment on proposed changes in the food code.

Company moves mill to new location

A company in South Korea has demonstrated that it may be more cost effective to move an entireplant to a new location, rather than rebuild.

New science strategy from FSANZ upholds safety in food processing

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has unveiled its new 'Science Strategy' 2006 to maintain safety standards in the food supply for food processors.

Coca-Cola increases its slice of Philippine bottling market

Coca-Cola is set to buy majority shares in Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines (CCBP) from San Miguel, arguably a move that would increase the multinationals slice of the market.

McDonalds New Zealand adopts new nutritional labelling

McDonalds New Zealand announced last week its intention to increase nutritional labeling with percentage daily intake (%DI), following a similar announcement by McDonalds Australia.

Weekly Comment

China: a victim of trade wars?

If the Chinese government gives in to mounting international pressure to revalue its currency, it could spell the end of cheap exports, a move that many anticipate would have a knock-on effect on raw materials costs for the food industry. But China may prove to be a less ready victim of western bullying than some expect.