Food Bev Asia

According to the National Confectioners’ Association (NCA) in the US, 69% of Americans prefer chocolate over flowers on Valentine’s Day. The NCA surveyed over 1,300 consumers, with 83% of men saying they preferred chocolate, while only 59% of women chose sweets over flowers. Inside the box of chocolates, the most loved flavour is caramel (34%), according to NCA. This is followed by chocolate-covered nuts (24%) and cream-filled and chocolate filled chocolates (both 13%). In a random survey I made on men and women (Asians) I know, there seems to be an overwhelming preference for flowers for Valentine's. So I’m thinking maybe cultural differences impact this simple choice. Are Asians more romantic and Americans more practical? Or do Americans have a sweeter tooth than the Asians? But Asians are heavy eaters, and chocolates are also a favourite. No one I know says No to a piece of chocolate, especially these days when the choices are so wide and varied. You just have

What does it take to become a successful entrepreneur outside your own country?   In the February 2014 issue of FoodPacific Manufacturing Journal , we find out from Reynald Ricafrente. This Filipino sought a position in IT in a New Zealand firm a few years ago, where he is happy right now. But on the side, he has put up his own cake shop/restaurant serving Filipino dishes. Proof of a successful concept, he has expanded the business in Australia as well.   It seems unusual for someone with your background to be launching a major food business. How did it all start? The business simply started as a small university café called “Café 79” at Unitec Institute of Technology in Mt. Albert, Auckland, back in March 2010. I love cooking and baking. So, my business partner, Omar Ramos from Sydney, Australia, encouraged me to explore the food industry. Now, we have four stores under Gold Ribbon Foods: Café 79 (which is inside the university and caters to students), Kelston branch (a

What is the Asian market like for food & beverage ingredients makers? FoodPacific Manufacturing Journal February 2014 has its own answers. This issue contains our Outlook report on ingredients, which packs exclusive interviews with companies – Chr. Hansen (Stern Estrup), Corbion Purac Asia Pacific (Edwin Bontenbal), DuPont Nutrition & Health (Kobus de Klerk), Frutarom Health (Holger Riemensperger ), LycoRed (Eran Shani), and more. We also feature a Ringier one-on-one with Michael Brennan, vice president of Novozymes China. That’s not all. We have a Beroe report that weighs in on cocoa bean sourcing. If your business relies heavily on cocoa products, should you be considering alternate sources for these ingredients? In this issue, we also gathered some of the latest news on immune health and cholesterol in Health & Nutrition . We sum up the health feature with an article on fortified water products in Beverage . That's just a sneak peak. T

The  Middle East and Africa are two of the most important markets for the food and beverage industry. Trends that we saw this year will continue into the following year, with greater emphasis as we know on producing for the needs of the middle class – convenience foods, healthier options and speciality products.  “The prospects look very bright for the F&B industry in Abu Dhabi, the UAE and the GCC at large. The growth in tourism is one major factor behind this,” said Mohamed Jalal Al Rayssi, director of Communication and Community Service at Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA), during an interview with Ringier. "Internationally important events of the food industry such as SIAL Middle East being held in Abu Dhabi every year continue to draw attention to the country and the capital as a major center for food businesses, attracting new businesses and investments.”   Our Outlook report on the region also features the Savola Group, the Americana Group, Mondelēz Middle