AFRICA'S NO.1 FOOD, BEVERAGE & MILLING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

Coca-Cola European Partners eyes acquisition of Coca-Cola Amatil Limited

Oct 26, 2020Oct 26, 2020 Editor

ASIA – Coca-Cola European Partners, the largest independent bottler of Coke by revenue, made a non-binding offer to acquire 69.2% shares of Coca-Cola Amatil in an effort to expand in the Asia-Pacific region. Coca-Cola Amatil (CCL), based in North Sydney, has a market value of about US$7.8 billion and is one of the largest bottlers of non-alcoholic ready-to-drink beverages in the Asia-Pacific region. The Australia based company is also one of the world’s five major Coca-Cola bottlers and its acquisition will give CCEP access to almost 300 million consumers in…

Eat Just partners with Proterra to launch its first factory in Asia

Oct 21, 2020Oct 21, 2020 Editor

SINGAPORE – Eat Just, a plant-based food startup, has partnered with a consortium led by Proterra Investment Partners Asia to build and operate a plant protein production facility in Singapore, Eat Just’s first factory in Asia. The consortium will provide up to US$100 million in funding to build and operate the factory, while Eat Just will invest up to US$20 million. The resulting Eat Just subsidiary, Eat Just Asia, will serve Just Egg manufacturing and distribution partners across the continent. The new factory, the company’s first in Asia, will generate…

Asia bans imports of pork from Germany over fears of African swine fever

Sep 15, 2020Sep 15, 2020 Editor

GERMANY – Germany’s pork producers have been cut off from key Asian markets after a boar with African swine fever was reported, a major setback in an already challenging year for meat producers following COVID-19 outbreaks at plants. Japan joined China, South Korea and Singapore in halting German pork imports. The bans followed quickly after German officials confirmed the presence of the porcine plague in the carcass of a wild boar. African swine fever spreads through contact with infected animals and can also be spread by people and trucks. It…

Coffeehouse chain Starbucks to launch plant-based food and beverages to menus across Asia

Sep 9, 2020Sep 9, 2020 Editor

ASIA – Starbucks Corporation, a multinational chain of coffeehouses and roastery reserves, has announced that it will add plant-based food and beverages to menus across Asia from September, including products from Impossible Foods, Oatly and Beyond Meat Inc, as it targets more environment-conscious diners. The Seattle-based coffee chain said it was introducing products in markets such as Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand, Taiwan and Thailand that suit local tastes and preferences. Producing plant-based food and beverages is less demanding on the environment compared with items relying on animal agriculture, which…

Twelve African entrepreneurs among 21 finalists in the nutrition pitch competition for African and Asian SMEs

Jul 29, 2020Jul 29, 2020 Editor

AFRICA – The Global Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Pitch Competition 2020, organised by the SUN Business Network (SBN), seeking to scale innovative approaches to bring improved nutrition to low income consumers in emerging markets, has selected Twelve African entrepreneurs among 21 finalists. As the COVID-19 pandemic presents unprecedented challenges to the food system, the pitch competition, to take place on 30th July 2020, will highlight the innovation and investment opportunities within the private sector to increase access to nutrition in low- and middle-income markets. According to the organizers of the…

Global Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Pitch Competition 2020 to award best African and Asian innovators

Jul 10, 2020Jul 10, 2020 Editor

AFRICA – The Global Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Pitch Competition 2020, organised by the SUN Business Network (SBN) seeking to scale innovative approaches to bring improved nutrition to low income consumers in emerging markets, is set to take place on 30th July 2020, virtually where the finalist of the competition will showcase their initiatives. According to the organisers of the event, the finalists of the competition who are African and Asian entrepreneurs, have been selected through a series of 24 National SUN Pitch Competitions over the last year. The SUN…

Cargill to open its first chocolate manufacturing operation in Asia

Jun 23, 2020Jun 23, 2020 Editor

INDIA – American food and confectionery firm, Cargill is partnering with a local manufacturer in western India, to open its first chocolate manufacturing operation in Asia, enabling the company capitalize on the growing demand of chocolate products in the Asia market. The facility is expected to begin operating mid-2021 and will initially produce 10,000 tons of chocolate compounds. Cargill said adding that the site’s operations will create approximately 100 new jobs. As consumer demand for chocolate products continues to grow steadily in the Asia market, the company has also signaled…

Kemin Food Technologies names DKSH its distributor in Asia’s emerging markets

Jun 22, 2020Jun 22, 2020 Editor

SINGAPORE – Kemin Food Technologies, the food ingredient subsidiary of Kemin Industries, has has entered into a partnership with Diethelm Keller Siber Hegner (DKSH) to be the distributor of its food safety and shelf-life solutions in Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia. Kemin Food Technologies said that DKSH’s distribution services will strengthen its market synergies and provide a foundation to further expand its presence within Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia. By joining with DKSH, the food ingredients manufacturer hopes to optimize its distribution network and improve its service in these emerging countries. “Food…

Specialty ingredients supplier AAK appoints Sten Estrup as President Asia

May 4, 2020May 4, 2020 Editor

SWEDEN – Provider of value-adding vegetable oils & fats, AAK has appointed food industry veteran and former chief executive at Biomega Group, Sten Estrup as the company’s new President of Asia. Following his appointment, AAK also noted that Sten will be part of the company’s Executive Committee and will be based at the company’s Singapore office. Estrup, a Danish native, joins Sweden-based company with more than 25 years of experience across the food and health industries, holding executive roles within operations, sales, marketing, and commercial development. Most recently, he was…

Investcorp closes US$275m Asia food brands private equity joint venture vehicle

Apr 15, 2020Apr 15, 2020 Editor

ASIA – Bahrain-headquartered global alternative investment manager, Investcorp has announced the first closing at US$275 million, of its Asia food brands private equity platform that the investment firm jointly runs with its Chinese partners. The platform was established in November last year by Investcorp, China Resources, one of the world’s largest owners and distributors of food brands in Greater China and Fung Strategic Holdings Limited, a member of Fung Investments aiming to invest US$500m in food brands and manufacturing sites in Asia. The investment platform primarily focuses on capturing the…