‘Next gen growth’: Asahi reveals plans to strengthen APAC business
Asahi’s core business has long been focused on beer products including Asahi Super Dry and confectionery Mintia, but the firm believes it will increase long-term corporate value by building up ‘next-generation growth’ areas.
The firm plans to boost its whiskey, water and non-alcoholic product portfolios to drive growth in Japan, South Asia, South East Asia and Oceania.
Japan will also see a new initiative from Asahi focused on helping consumers to manage their daily water consumption, tapping vending machine and identification technologies for this new rollout.
Production revolution: Japan seeks to modernise dairy and beef sectors via new five-year policy
According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), beef and dairy makes up around 42% of Japan’s total agri-food output, dwarfing rice (16%) and vegetables (24%), making the advancement of this sector a top priority.
“The beef and dairy sectors are very important, converting raw milk and raw beef into high-quality protein products for consumers to consume,” MAFF said via a formal statement.
“They play a very important role in supporting the local economy particularly in the rural and mountainous areas of Japan, as well as to boost tourism and improve food self-sufficiency, and the government is very keen to modernise these to simultaneously revitalise these local areas.
Japan tightens dairy rules to improve standardisation, probiotic fortification safety
Japan has enforced new rules for dairy products, including condensed milk, powdered milk and products containing non-milk ingredients.
This was announced by the local Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) after Japan transferred the administration of national food safety standards from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW).
The major products expected to be impacted by these new requirements are functional foods and drinks fortified using probiotics, as well as infant formula developed with probiotics.
Kewpie looks to expand focus ‘beyond the salad bowl’ in Asia
Japan’s Kewpie believes that there is a role for its mayonnaise-based sauces in consumption occasions outside salads in Asia, targeting areas such as RTE meals and bakery.
“Kewpie is very established when it comes to being used as a dressing for salads or a condiment for burgers, sandwiches and the like, but we believe there are much wider uses for our products in the market beyond the salad bowl,” Kewpie Singapore Sales Executive Wee Xin Yi told FoodNavigator-Asia.
Keeping up with trends, evolving preferences key to attracting new-age consumers – Roku Gin
While consumers today are exposed to a wider repertoire of how gin is presented in different occasions or serve formats, the category remains perceived to lack excitement in terms of innovation.
To appeal to alcohol enthusiasts, it is important to understand consumers’ motivations behind alcohol consumption and what spurs gin appreciation, said Leanne Kee, Senior Brand Manager (Premium Spirits) for South East Asia (SEA) at Suntory.
“Historically, we’ve always showcased our brand and product offerings through the bar community. The growing cocktail culture and sudden spike in demand for gin craft cocktails also championed the growth of the category within SEA, particularly Singapore and Malaysia.”
AloJapan.com