TCM focus: Amway to build first organic farm in China
Amway is building its first organic farm in Sichuan, China, to support a growing demand for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) products.
Financial plays
Regulatory review: India’s inter-ministerial report, Malaysia’s modern claims and more
We look at the latest regulatory announcements happening across Asia-Pacific’s health and nutrition sector, including India’s inter-ministerial committee report on nutraceutical regulations, new updates on modern claims product approval in Malaysia and...
Bayer aims volume-driven growth with shorter new product development lead time
Bayer’s CEO has outlined key growth strategies for its consumer health business, such as increasing sales volume by introducing new products to the market quicker.
China sees persistent decline in infant formula, offline pharmacy sales - H&H
Swisse and Biostime owner Health and Happiness (H&H) Group’s Q3 results showed that China, its largest market, has been struggling with continued declines in sales across infant formulas and offline pharmacies.
VitamINSIGHTS
‘Emerging markets are where the opportunities are’: Singapore, Australia nutra brands on Cambodia’s appeal
Growth opportunities are plenty in Cambodia’s health supplements scene, due to a growing middle class and lower market competition, say Singapore’s Incontech and Australia’s Healthy Vitality which entered Cambodia in the last two years.
Trend tracker: Insights from Lonza, Haleon, Tummy Buddies
Here is a round-up on the latest nutraceutical trends in Asia-Pacific, including insights from Lonza on growing joint health interest among younger consumers, Haleon seeing China consumers increasing vitamin spendings in e-commerce, and popular demands...
Blackmores boost: Strong sales reduce losses for Kirin’s health science business
Blackmores’ strong sales performance in Q3 FY2024 has helped parent company Kirin reduce the operating loss coming from its health science business.
US still the #1 probiotics supplement market, but China is catching up: IPA Chief
The United States remains the number one market for probiotic supplementation, but double-digit growth in China could see the Asian country replace the U.S. in “a year, maybe two,” says the executive director of the International Probiotics Association...
BYHEALTH’s lacklustre performance continues into Q3 as profits slide 106%
China health supplements giant BYHEALTH continues to see weak performance as net profits fell 106.30 per cent in Q3 of 2024, resulting in a net loss of RMB$22.42m (US$3.15m). The company reported a net profit of RMB$355.7m (US$49.5m) during the same time...
OmniActive acquires ENovate Biolife
OmniActive Health Technologies has acquired ENovate Biolife, expanding its ingredients portfolio to target key health categories in the dietary supplement space.
High hopes for hub: Indonesian food sector calls for a 'larger scale' food innovation centre to move sector forward
The food and beverage sector in Indonesia believes that it is high time for a larger scale food innovation centre focusing on the advancement and development of domestic companies to be established in the country.
Vitafoods Asia 2024
South Korea’s Dong-A Pharma targets SEA markets with kids, beauty supplement range
Dong-A Pharmaceutical is now looking to grow its exports markets, focusing on kids and beauty-from-within supplements in South East Asia, the company told us in Vitafoods Asia held in Bangkok.
Big bucks: Hong Kong consumers spend an average of US$100 on health supplements each month – survey
Hong Kong consumers spend an average of HK$781.59 (US$100.53) on health supplements each month, say findings of a new survey commissioned by the Hong Kong Health Food Association (HKHFA).
U-turn ahead: Nestle reunites Greater China management with rest of Asia as new CEO pledges ‘core’ growth focus
Nestle is reintegrating the Greater China region with the rest of Asia, as new CEO Laurent Freixe unveiled a significant U-turn from its 2021 geographical ‘sharpening’ strategy.
Nutrachampion podcast
“A to Z clean vitamins”: VOOST former boss’ new venture aims to transform powder supplements
Thomas Sibel, co-founder of effervescent tablet vitamin brand VOOST sold to P&G in 2021, has set out to transform the supplements sector through his new venture Nordia Vitamins – a clean label vitamin brand focusing on powders.
New Zealand to get ‘new bill’ to regulate natural products, while industry body voices ‘grave concerns’ over exports policy
The New Zealand government will introduce a new bill specifically to regulate natural products in the country, but no decisions have been taken on the scope or approach to be adopted, officials have announced.
Sweet move? China may allow chocolates, candies, jellies, beverages for health foods filing
China may allow health foods in the form of chocolates, candies, jellies, and beverages to go through the official health foods filing process.
NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2024
Invest in science: NutraIngredients-Asia’s Start-up of the Year says research crucial for success
The winner of NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2024 Start-up of the Year says investing in research is key for start-ups to stand out from competition and it is aiming to do more in this area, with five clinical trials in the pipeline.
Vitafoods Asia 2024
'Dr. Pong effect': AstaReal’s new initiative to keep out fake astaxanthin from burgeoning Thai market
AstaReal has launched an initiative to identify authentic astaxanthin supplements from counterfeits in Thailand, which is experiencing strong demand for astaxanthin products led by homegrown brand Dr. Pong.
Dubai-based Linafsi prioritises flavour innovation, sales channel expansion to stand out in competitive healthy snacking market
Dubai-based healthy snack brand Linafsi is adopting several strategies to overcome stiff competition, including flavour innovation and localisation, exploring new product formats, and expanding sales channels.
Microbiome Innovations in APAC: New editorial webinar is now open for FREE registration!
Leading industry experts from Life-Space Group, Swisse Wellness, and the International Probiotics Association (IPA) and more will be presenting insights on the latest developments and research findings surrounding the microbiome sector in APAC in our...
Trend tracker: Probiotics use among HCPs, rise of hair nutrition in post-COVID era, and more
Here is a round-up on the latest nutraceutical trends, including how probiotics are increasingly viewed as a valuable healthcare tool in South East Asia, strong demand for hair nutrition products among young women post-COVID, a look into China's liver...
NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2024
Target population: AceBiome sees market need for sports nutrition designed for middle-aged adults
There are market opportunities in Asia-Pacific’s sports nutrition sector specifically targeted at middle-aged adults, says the winner of this year’s NutraIngredients-Asia Awards Product of the Year Sports Nutrition.
Japanese health care firm Daiichi Sankyo acquires sports nutrition brand DNS
Japan’s Daiichi Sankyo Healthcare Co Ltd has acquired sports nutrition brand DNS as it continues to grow its portfolio from pharmaceuticals to functional foods, oral and skin care.
Visible relief: Palm oil industry welcomes announcement of EUDR postponement – but troubles not over yet
The palm oil and other agrifood sectors may have breathed a collective sigh of relief at the European Commission (EC) announcement that EUDR enforcement will be delayed – but experts are warning that the root problems are yet to be resolved.
NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2024
Newly crowned Nutrachampion to advance GLP-1 research, active ageing, women’s health
Ramasamy Venkatesh, managing director and founder of Gencor Pacific and the newly crowned Nutrachampion in this year’s NutraIngredients-Asia’s Awards, says that his company is developing nutraceutical ingredients for promoting the body’s GLP-1...
Regulatory review: Halal certification, vitamin K2 use in FSMP, health star ratings and more
We look at the latest regulatory announcements happening across Asia-Pacific's health and nutrition sector, such as growing interest in acquiring halal-certification among food firms, and new regulatory initiatives by Food Standards Australia New Zealand...
IVF doctor-founded brand to drive prenatal nutrition across India with fellow practitioners
Dame Health, a nutrition and wellness brand co-founded by an IVF doctor, is partnering fellow practitioners in driving the uptake of prenatal nutrition across India.
How is China’s growing milk supply affecting global dairy exports?
The world’s largest dairy importer has turned increasingly dairy self-sufficient. How is this impacting key commodity exports?
Brand focus: Lactoferrin milk powder maker Jatcorp moves way from distribution, OEM model
Australia-based Jatcorp will focus on building its nutrition brands and potentially acquire at least one new brand in the upcoming year, as it moves away from product distribution and OEM.
NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2024
NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2024 winners announced at celebration evening in Bangkok
The winners of the NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2024 have been announced in Bangkok, at a ceremony to celebrate the region’s brightest and best ingredients, products, research and initiatives.
China’s liver health supplement market led by detox and skin brightening needs – JD report
China’s growing liver health supplement category is being driven by consumers seeking products for detoxification, skin brightening, and less so for anti-hangover.
FANCL acquired: Kirin aims to become one of APAC’s largest health science firms
Japan’s beverage giant Kirin has completed the acquisition of FANCL and is now aiming to “become one of the largest health science companies in Asia-Pacific.”
Financials round-up: Comvita, Bubs, EZZ in the spotlight
This round-up looks at how Asia-Pacific's health and nutrition companies have fared in their latest financial performance, featuring insights from Comvita, Bubs Australia, Feihe, EZZ Life Sciences, and H&H Group.
'Asia is a very big opportunity': Orthomol aims to replicate South Korea success in Vietnam and beyond
German food supplement company Orthomol is aiming to replicate its South Korea success in other markets, especially in Asia and the Middle East.
Broader horizons: China’s EastRoc on shift from energy drink specialisation to multi-beverage portfolio
China energy drink heavyweight EastRoc is moving to a multi-beverage portfolio, hoping to establish itself as a leader in the wider beverage industry and not just the energy category.
CoQ10 demand in China persists but gross margin is low – Doctor's Best owner Kingdomway
China’s demand for coenzyme Q10 remains high but gross margin from the business is at the lower end, says Kingdomway, also the owner of health supplement brand Doctor’s Best.
Trend tracker: Femcare rise in Japan, NMN boom in Hong Kong and more
Here is a round-up on the latest nutraceutical trends, including the rise of femcare products in Japan, how anti-ageing is driving nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) use in Hong Kong, and growing demand for red ginseng in China and Vietnam.
'Disappointing' performance: Comvita’s FY24 revenue dragged down by China’s slowing economy
Manuka honey maker Comvita says annual revenue for FY24 is down by 12.7 per cent, citing economic slowdown in its largest market, China, as the main reason for the “disappointing” performance.
'Turnaround strategy': Bubs’ annual revenue back to growth as business diversifies beyond China
Bubs Australia, known for its goat milk formula, says its annual revenue has returned to growth on the back of efforts to diversify its business outside of China.
High-end hopes: Feihe's half-year profit up 18% as it steps up consumer engagement
Formula giant Feihe’s half-year profit for FY24 is up 18.1 per cent on the back of increased marketing activities which is said to have acquired over 1.4 million new customers.
Kuaishou kicking-on: EZZ’s net profit soars 91% from strong NMN, bone health demand in China
Australian firm EZZ Life Science Holdings Limited says net profit for FY24 is up 91 per cent, led by strong e-commerce demand for two of its products in China – nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) and a bone health supplement.
Formula slump: H&H Group reports “challenging” first six months with net profit down nearly 50%
Health and Happiness Group (H&H Group) saw its net profit plummeted 49.7 per cent for the first six months of this year – a “challenging period” which it said was primarily due to a downturn and discounting in the infant milk formulas segment.
Record profits: Baladna to double down on new product innovation and international projects after 137% growth
Qatari dairy firm Baladna has announced plans to double down on its new product innovation and international market expansion strategy, particularly in Algeria, after seeing a record growth in net profits over the first six months of 2024.
Nutrachampion podcast
Back in the game: Why Life-Space's former boss is returning to the biotics business after bumper 2018 sale
Life-Space’s former CEO and founder Craig Silbery is making a return to the human biotics space as he seeks to make Australia a world-class site for manufacturing probiotics and postbiotics, he told our Nutrachampion podcast.
NMN in China: Safety first, with health foods registration underway for some companies
The recent ban on nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) into China via cross-border e-commerce was due to safety considerations, says a local industry association, which added that several China companies have put forth their products for health foods...
VitamINSIGHTS
Hong Kong nutra trends: NMN booming and strategies to meet local and Chinese visitors’ needs
Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) has become one of the hottest health supplement categories in Hong Kong, on the back of strong demand for anti-ageing products, say Catalo, NUNMN, and Homart in this edition of our in-depth VitamINSIGHTS analysis.
South Korea’s red ginseng sector sees export boost amid slowing domestic demand
South Korea’s domestic demand for red ginseng has slowed down in the past year, but the sector is seeing opportunities overseas, especially in neighbouring East Asian countries and Vietnam.
Adults in 20s, 30s most interested in personalised nutrition – Suntory-backed start-up survey
Japanese adults in their 20s and 30s are most interested in personalised nutrition as compared to the other age groups, a survey conducted by Suntory-backed start-up Rem3dy Health has found.
Kava boom in Australia as consumers seek healthier alternative to alcohol – The Calmer Co
Kava is seeing a rapid uptake in Australia as consumers are looking to replace alcohol with a healthier alternative, says kava firm The Calmer Co.