The ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region has great potential for growth with a population of 625 million consumers with changing tastes. The region is recognised by the industry and leading market research firms as one of the major emerging markets for food ingredients. Indonesia is one of the strongest markets in the region with 41% growth in processed food consumption in the last five years.
Tapping the vast potential for growth of food ingredients industry in the region is the event Food ingredients (Fi) Asia, Bangkok, being organised for the last 20 years. This year, the event will be held from September 9 to 11, 2015, at Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC), Bangkok, Thailand.
Manu Leopairote, chairman, UBM Asia (Thailand), informs, “Fi Asia 2015 is Asia’s biggest event and is important to the food industry throughout the region. The event has been continuously recognised by leading food organisations. Consecutively held for 20 years, this year’s event is even more special than its previous counterparts, as it is the 20th event, and it comes to Thailand again after being held in Indonesia in 2014.”
He adds, “The space for the exhibition has been increased by 40 per cent. More than 650 exhibitors from 40 countries across the world are scheduled to join the exhibition, which is supported by many organisations, such as the ministry of industry, Food Processing Industry Club of the Federation of Thai Industries, National Food Institute, Food Science and Technology Association of Thailand, Thai Frozen Foods Association, and Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau.
According to Leopairote, the show is an opportunity for entrepreneurs throughout the region to learn about new technologies from every corner of the world, and that the event will result in the development of the technology and the productive capacity of the food industry across the region. This key factor is significant in a way that it enables ASEAN to become the world’s food hub, as planned.
Interestingly, this year, UBM Asia (Thailand), the organisers, have continuously promoted the event by organising road shows in Thailand’s neighbouring countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines and Vietnam.
Another interesting aspect this year is that visitors will enjoy a lot of activities that share knowledge of new innovations, and of appropriate marketing strategies and investments for SMEs and those who would like to invest in other food businesses.
According to the organisers, the event offers tremendous networking opportunities with 11,000+ visitors, 61% of which are c-suite professionals, coming from across 56 countries with exposure to the complete ASEAN food industry.
Not only that, the event promises to offer industry knowledge with a wide range of conference modules, exhibitor seminars and exciting onsite features to help one get the most out of time onsite.
It has scheduled various talks of experts which will help visitors gather intelligence and increase networking in only three days saving months of research, supplier meetings and travel costs.
Innovation Zone
Located at the entrance of Hall No. 103, the Innovation Zone allows visitors to discover an extensive selection of innovative products, showcased alongside insightful information. The zone would display all the recent launches from exhibitors who are at the forefront of developments in the industry.
The World of Food Ingredients, a publication on food formulation and ingredient trends, is collaborating with Fi Asia 2015 and Innova Market Insights on highlighting the most innovative ingredients to be presented at the Innovation Zone.
Packaging Zone
The event located at Innovation Zone would be showcasing latest packaging trends by renowned packaging companies. Few companies which are participants in this zone are Mars, Qi Feng, Singlz, Nongfu Spring, Mondelez, and Amalgamated Bean Coffee.
Guided Innovation Tours
The tours will be starting at the sales office between the entrances of Halls 103 and 104. These being guided, topic-focussed tours for visitors of Fi Asia, there is an opportunity to go on daily tours where an expert will take one around the show floor to meet with exhibitors specialising in key areas.
Discovery Tours
To find suppliers quickly, one can take self-guided Discovery Tours. For this one has to simply follow a theme to find innovative suppliers on the following solutions: Natural Colouring; New Sources of Proteins; Infant Nutrition; and Heart Health.
Several exhibitor seminars would be conducted at the event.
According to Rungphech Chitanuwat, business director, UBM Asia (Thailand), this year the show is seen as having good opportunities for food entrepreneurs in Thailand, as the country is known as the Kitchen of the World and is one of the first-ranked global food exporters.
She states, “Entrepreneurs will have the chance to find products that assist in promoting their manufacturing potential, and to create product differentiation by using food ingredients as the main factor in adding variety and to make good quality food and in meeting consumers’ needs and changing lifestyles in each market segment.”
Chitanuwat continues, “Apart from holding the exhibition to show food ingredients from around the world, we will also have academic conferences and seminars in the topics of technology, innovation, trends in food industry development and food safety b a network of leading food-related organisations in Thailand and other countries.”
Conferences
There are five separate conferences taking place across the three days of the show offering something for everyone. The top line-up of industry experts will share their knowledge and insights into these top trends – both technical and commercial – ensuring you are able to meet your customers' needs and stay ahead of the competition.
The innovative conferences offer opportunity to get acquainted with latest developments in the southeast Asian food ingredients market by attending one of the conferences at Fi Asia.
1. Halal International Conference
Demand for Halal ingredients is increasing rapidly, and the global market is set for further growth. It is predicted that by 2018, the Halal sector will have a value of US$6.4 tln, and by 2030, Muslims will comprise 26.4% of the world's total projected population.
Many companies are already seeking to take advantage of the opportunities presenting themselves. For those looking to gain a strong position in the market it is essential to keep on top of the latest market developments, several conferences organised based on topics like Science behind Halal, GCC Regulation and Standard for Halal Foods, Consumer Preference for Halal positioning, and Successful Halal Market- the Industry Experience.
2. Asia Food Beverage Thailand Conference
ASEAN accounted for over a third of all new product introductions in Asia in 2014. With the demand for innovative products to meet consumer trends such as clean label, healthy convenience and Halal continuing to grow, it is essential that F&B manufacturers are able to keep on top of the evolving consumer landscape.
In order to enter the market with successful products, it is necessary to fully understand the needs of the consumer. This half-day conference offers a brief but in-depth insight into the key trends driving the food and beverage market.
The presentation topics include: Key Ingredients to Capture Consumers' Hearts; Gain Consumer Insight Through Market Surveys; Create Awareness with Product Development; and Adjusting Products to Fit ASEAN Market.
3. EAS Strategies Globally Conference
This conference totally focusses on A Regulatory Outlook for the Asian Supplements Market. The not to miss conference will provide one with an update on regulatory requirements in Asia suitable for everyone involved in the development of innovative, added-value nutritional solutions in the food, beverage & wellness industry.
4. Thai Frozen Foods Association Conference
The topics to be covered in this seminar are Overview and Introduction of BAP, Overview and Introduction to BAP Standard, How Importance and Benefit of BAP to Seafood Business, and Interpretation of BAP Standard Requirement.
5. Food ingredients Asia Conference 2015
The food and drink industry is the largest manufacturing sector in Asia. The well developed technology advancement of research and development (R&D) to find answers for the consumers plays an important role for this industry. Extensive researches in both public and private laboratories have connected food science and technology, nutrition and health to come up with healthy, tasty and palatable food. The application of food science helps in manufacturing safe, wholesome and nutritious food products. The study of food technology is to develop new methods and systems for keeping food products safe and can protect consumer from natural harms such as bacteria and other microorganisms.
The conference covers topics relating to every aspect of food and nutrition including all major food and drink commodities towards all walk of life, solid sciences plus food products, food processing, food safety, food spoilage and biotechnology for the food innovation.
The topics to be covered in presentations are food health and nutrition, gastrointestinal health, health and beauty, joint & bone health, weight management chronic diseases, and healthy ageing.
Exhibitors
Fi Asia is the meeting place for the entire local and international food & beverage industry, offering exhibitors the opportunity to promote a company and products to a global audience of industry professionals in a highly effective and vibrant environment.
The event provides access to the entire southeast Asian food industry, which is one of the emerging markets for food ingredients industry. The show has grown by 25%, annually over the last four editions as the event has fetched good results to the past exhibitors.
According to organisers, maximum exposure is guaranteed as the event would have leading brands exhibiting this year. The list of 650+ exhibitors will include BASF, Brenntag Ingredients, DKSH, Doehler, Jebsen & Jessen, DSM, and Rama Production.
Visitors
The show attracts quality audience from all of the industry's sectors looking for innovation and eager to find new ingredients for their business.
The event though provides business opportunities from all over the world, 91% of attendees are domestic, who are leading local industry players.
Business potential across the sector
Fi Asia Thailand delivers an unrivalled mix of the food & beverage industry, from flavourings to bakery products and all categories in between. Flavourings 33.37%; Vitamins (extracts) 24.94%; Oils / Essential Oils 23.70%; Acidity Regulators 22.83%; Soy Products 20.94%; Food Enzymes 20.76%; and Bakery Products 20.70%.
Pavilions
Health ingredients Asia (Hi) & Natural ingredients (Ni)
Over the past five years, steps towards the ASEAN harmonisation of foods, health supplements and traditional medicines has been initiated significantly. Consumer demand for health and wellness products is increasing rapidly.
In Thailand, led by key nutritionists and Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the government has started a number of infant feeding and school initiatives related to obesity prevention. They have revised food labelling, increased promotion of fruits and vegetables, and worked on fat and oil reduction.
For companies, the ability to develop an effective market development strategy for their products is heavily dependent on understanding the existing and emerging legislative framework, and ensuring that their regulatory strategy is in line with this.
To effectively capture this market trend, Health ingredients (Hi) and Natural ingredients (Ni), Fi Asia created a powerhouse pavilion that will provide access to solutions in consumer health foods including sports nutrition, vitamins and dietary supplements, weight management, herbal/traditional products, allergy care and child-specific consumer health products.
Furthermore, the Hi & Ni Pavilion will facilitate the desire for international alignment of technical standards and guidelines that stimulate a series of harmonisation discussions and initiatives among the 10-member countries of ASEAN.
Exhibitors’ take
Bee Products Co., Ltd.
Siriporn Tantipong, president, Federation of Thai Industries Chiang Mai Chapter, and MD, Bee Products Industry Co. Ltd, one of the participating companies, states, “Fi Asia highlights food ingredients and the potential for Thailand to become a global hub. In addition, there will be a seminar offering knowledge and activities for entrepreneurs to develop their potential and more effectively compete in the marketplace. This event will add more value to your business and to Thailand’s economic advancement especially in the area of food production.
Bee Products Co. Ltd (BPI) was established in the year 1987 by pharmacist Veerapan and Siriporn Tantipong, in order to produce valuable dietary supplements from bees as well as spread the pathway and knowledge of alternative healthcare.
The company has always given top priority to quality of its products following the policy “manufacturing and developing bee products which are clean, green and safe for consumers.” According to Tantipong, the key factor to make the products outstanding and acceptable worldwide is via research and development (R&D) and reach for the highest standard. Researching and developing upon pharmaceutical techniques, BPI can standardise the quality as well as create uniqueness and value for its products.
With hygienic processes of manufacturing under reliable quality control systems such as GAP, GMP, HACCP, Codex and ISO 9001:2000, the company takes pride in offering finest bee products such as honey, bee pollen, royal jelly and propolis. All the products of the company are US FDA and EU compliant.
Premium Food Co., Ltd.
Established in 1997, Premium Foods Co. Ltd. has been processing wide variety of dehydrated products, such as dried vegetables, dried fruits, herbs, spices, - air-dried, freeze-dried and spray-dried, and liquid flavours. Its other products include ready-to-eat foods and soups, frozen vegetables and fruits, pastes and purees and pellets.
According to Suranart Kittirattanadech, MD, Premium Foods, the company is located in Chiang Mai, Thailand, which due to its well developed food industry is a major source of raw materials helping in controlling the availability and freshness of the products and maintaining original taste. We strive to enrich our customer’s health by delivering a world of hygienic and safety products.
Sun Sweet Co. Ltd
Sun Sweet Co. Ltd is located in the San Patong district of Chiang Mai, Thailand. It was established in 1991. In 1997, the Thai government granted Board of Investment approval to the company.
“Through the years we have constantly expanded, upgraded and improved our sweet corn processing operation in our continuing effort to provide our customers with the finest product at the highest international standard. We are proud to be one of Thailand’s leading exporters,” states Dr Ongart Kittikhunchai, CEO, Sun Sweet Co. Ltd.
The company is a well known manufacturer and exporter of canned fruits and vegetables in Thailand providing products through every channel to cover consumers in the Western world as well as neighbouring countries such as Vietnam with reliable services and quality products.
Chiang Mai Fresh Milk Co. Ltd
Chiang Mai Freshmilk Company Ltd was founded in 1992. It is known for offering processed milk and dairy products. Currently the company has a capacity of 160 tonne / day. The production is according to GMP, HACCP and ISO 9000-2008, according to Bulgul Tipnate, MD, Chiangmai Freshmilk Company Ltd.
