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

Louis Dreyfus Company forms joint venture with Japanese specialty coffee merchant Zephyr Japan

Sep 13, 2021Sep 13, 2021 Editor

JAPAN – Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC), a leading merchant and processor of agricultural goods has signed a joint venture agreement with Zephyr Japan, specialty coffee merchants based in Japan providing premium coffees to Japanese consumers. The partnership represents LDC’s first venture in Japan, a fast-growing market for specialty coffees, aimed to position LDC to increase premium coffee flows into Japan and East Asian markets. This another positive step forward for LDC’s specialty business, growing its market share in a segment specialty coffee market which is expected to exceed US$83 billion…

Diageo eyes greater share of Japanese spirits markets with minority investment in Kanosuke Distillery

Sep 10, 2021Sep 10, 2021 Editor

JAPAN – British multinational alcoholic beverages company Diageo is eyeing a greater share of Japanese spirits market with its latest investment in ultra-premium whisky producer Komasa Kanosuke Distillery. Founded in 2017, Kanosuke Distillery debuted its first ultra-premium single-malt whisky in June of this year. Diageo’s investment made through Distill Ventures will support the company’s growth by enabling increased production of whisky, development of new products and the extension of its international sales and marketing teams. Following the investment, Kanosuke Distillery will be joining Denmark’s Stauning Whisky, Australia’s Starward Whisky and Oregon’s Westward American Single Malt Whiskey in Distill Ventures’ portfolio of whisky brands. …

Global craft beer company Brew Dog partners Asahi to expand presence in Japan

Sep 7, 2021Sep 7, 2021 Editor

JAPAN – Scotland-based independent craft brewer BrewDog has entered into a joint venture (JV) in Japan with Asahi Breweries, to accelerate distribution of the company’s craft beers in the Asian country. The JV will be known as “BrewDog Japan” and is the first of its type for BrewDog, which says it will retain a controlling interest. BrewDog Japan will operate as a standalone entity with its own sales, marketing, and back-office teams and will focus exclusively on the distribution and marketing of key BrewDog brands such as Punk IPA, Hazy Jane and Elvis Juice…

Next Meats builds new facility in Japan to expand alternative protein production capacity

Aug 2, 2021Aug 2, 2021 Editor

JAPAN – Japanese meat alternative company Next Meats has begun construction of a new eco-friendly, alternative protein production facility in Nigata, Japan in an effort to expands its production capacity amid rising demand. According to a Food Bev report, The Next Factory will be a ‘one-stop hub’ dedicated to the production of alternative protein products and will feature both an R&D lab and a production line. It will incorporate DX systems as well as solar panels and other sustainable technologies and will prove critical in Next Meat’s mission to accelerate the growth of the alternative meat industry…

Satake drives efficiency in grain processing with launch of a new optical sorter

Jun 28, 2021Jun 28, 2021 Editor

JAPAN – Satake, a leading Japanese food and agricultural equipment manufacturer, has launched a new optical sorter aimed at helping agro-processing companies efficiently sort grains, pulses, seeds and many other products. According to the company, the new optical sorter dubbed “NIRAMI series” is larger and comes in various sizes, all featuring extra wide chutes and flexible configurations, to meet the needs of grain processing companies at different stages of growth. Additionally, the sorter’s newly designed optics detect and distinguish subtle color differences utilizing RGB full color cameras. Nirami also comes equipped with shape recognition technology to…

20% of all Starbucks stores in Japan to be powered by renewable energy

May 20, 2021May 20, 2021 Editor

JAPAN – Starbucks Japan has announced plans to transition all 350 free-standing company-operated stores to 100% renewable energy by the end of October 2021. The transition of the stores which account for approximately 20% of the company’s portfolio are part of Starbucks global commitment to decrease carbon emissions by 50% by 2030, the company said in a statement. Starbucks says thatas of April 2021, the transition has been completed in 301 stores, and will extend to 350 locations including stores in Hokkaido, Tohoku and Okinawa by the end of October.…

Sofina Foods, Agrana make new acquisitions to expand capacity, market share

Mar 30, 2021Mar 30, 2021 Editor

US/JAPAN – Canadian manufacturer of primary and further-processed protein products, Sofina Foods has agreed to acquire seafood and pork provider Eight Fifty Food Group from funds managed by private equity firm CapVest Partners. Founded in 2019 following the acquisition of Young’s Seafood by CapVest-owned Karro Food Group, Eighty Fifty has grown into an international multi-protein food group, employing 8,300 people across 23 manufacturing sites. Its acquisition is expected to complement Sofina Foods’ North American platform, with Eight Fifty CEO Di Walker continuing to lead the business under the new ownership.…

Amano introduces savory animal-free enzyme as “climate conscious” Pizza enters the Australian Market

Mar 10, 2021Mar 10, 2021 Editor

JAPAN/AUSTRALIA – Japanese food ingredients giant Amano Enzyme has released its latest animal-free enzyme solution for use in the plant protein industry. The company says that the enzyme dubbed Umamizyme Pulse is designed to use in a wide variety of plant protein products to produce a savory, umami flavor, similar to monosodium glutamate (MSG). Additionally, Amano notes the new ingredient also imparts kokumi “a sensation of richness and complexity” when used in foods. “As consumer interest in plant-based proteins continues to grow, our customers are striving to develop more plant-based…

Next Meats launches accelerator program to initiate collaboration in the alternative protein industry

Mar 7, 2021Mar 7, 2021 Editor

JAPAN – Japanese alternative meat company Next Meats has launched an accelerator program to serves as a platform to conduct worldwide open innovation among the players in the alternative protein industry. Dubbed the “Next Meat Accelerator Program” the new initiative hopes to bring together experts, companies, and climate change-conscious individuals to cultivate worldwide business opportunities that benefit the planet and everyone involved. Next Meats believes that the fight against climate change can be much more effective and swift if skilled, passionate entities came together and combined their technologies, expertise, network,…

Japanese beverage giant Kirin supports healthy aging with new memory-supporting ingredient

Mar 5, 2021Mar 5, 2021 Editor

JAPAN – Kirin Holdings has introduced a new functional ingredient to support “support the maintenance of memory, which declines with age.” Called Beta-Lactolin, the new ingredient reportedly targets those who are healthy but have started to become forgetful or slower in making decisions due to the natural aging process. To ensure market success, Kirin is partnering with a number of local food companies to launch the product in various forms including a beverage, yogurt, and supplements. New products to be released throughout Japan include beta-lactolin by Kyowa Hakko Bio on…