Cargill unveils its upgraded innovation hub catering to evolving market needs
The hub is designed to offer global innovation expertise and deep consumer insights to help customers stay close to Asian consumer needs.
SINGAPORE – Cargill, a global company providing food and ingredient solutions, has opened its refurbished Innovation Center, an initiative supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG).
According to the company, the Asia Pacific foodservice market size reached a value of nearly US$406.30 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 15.7% between 2025 and 2034 to reach a value of around US$1.55 trillion by 2034.
The site includes an expansive culinary suite replicating the setting in restaurants and cafes, as well as a modern kitchen inspired by the quick-service restaurant. It is fitted with the latest commercial gear that supports culinary experimentation and rapid prototyping.
In addition to these newly revamped spaces, the Center’s core capabilities comprise specialised laboratories for developing innovative beverage solutions and sensory facilities for assessing aroma, taste, texture, and mouthfeel to achieve precise formulation and desired product attributes.
It also has an advanced core science lab which focuses on the study of food ingredients to improve their functionality and enable progressive innovation discoveries.
The company stated that it aims to help its food manufacturing and food service customers develop commercially successful products for the Asian market.
John Fering, Group President, Food APAC, Cargill, said, “Today’s Asian consumer is increasingly adventurous yet discerning. We see great potential for our customers to grow by addressing consumer demand for new flavors, formulations and menus, driven by convenience, novelty, health, and indulgence trends.”
He added that the upgraded Innovation Center is designed to enhance customer outcomes by co-developing products tailored to local consumer preferences and the region’s competitive dynamics.
He emphasised that this initiative aims to shape the future of food in Asia with solutions created specifically for the Asian market.
Michelle Tan, Vice President and Head of Environmental Sustainability and Agrifood at EDB, highlighted that the initiative strengthens Singapore’s role as a hub for food innovation and encouraged other companies to leverage Singapore’s R&D ecosystem and insights into the Asian market to create solutions that address the region’s evolving consumer needs.
Amreeta Eng, Executive Director of Trade at Enterprise Singapore, expressed her support for Cargill’s enhanced Innovation Center, noting the exciting opportunities this initiative creates for partnerships with local food accelerators, SMEs, and startups to develop solutions tailored to the region’s diverse and growing needs.
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