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Alcoholic version of Blanc Coco debuts at Thaifex 2017

By
Tan Heng Hong
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Alcoholic version of Blanc Coco unveiled 

Thai Coconut Public Company Limited, which makes the world’s first sparkling coconut water Blanc Coco, has unveiled the alcoholic version of Blanc Coco at Thaifex 2017. Thaifex is being held from 31 May 2017 to 4 June 2017.

With 5% alcohol

The new Blanc Coco – Natural Flavour with a 5% alcohol content brings the coconut water to a new category – ready-to-drink (RTD) alcoholic beverage. At the time of writing, the Blanc Coco with 5% alcohol is still not available in the market not even in Thailand. The eventual debut will make it the first of its kind in the country.

Western alcoholic companies maximising coconut potential

Even before the debut of Blanc Coco with 5% ABV, alcohol-infused coconut water is already prevalent in new product innovation in the US and the UK. Barcardi has the Barcardi Rock Coconut, launched in 2010. It is a coconut rum infused with rock melon and coconut water. US-based VO|CO, meanwhile, claims to be the world’s first RTD cocktail of coconut water and vodka.

Twisted Halo from the UK was launched in 2016. It is a gently sparkling blend of coconut water mixed with ginger and premium vodka.

Blanc Coco in PET and can

Another interesting development, which I have talked about in an earlier post, is the availability of Blanc Coco in PET bottle and can packaging. The two new packaging option was first seen at SIAL China 2017 and was showcased at the recent Thaifex 2017. They appear to be the same product but are likely to be aimed at the different occasion with varying price point.

The key ingredients stated in the can and PET formats are coconut water, malic acid (E 296), natural sweetener (E 698, 960), cellulose gum (E 466) and natural coconut flavour. The ingredients listed on the glass packaging are slightly simpler only showing coconut water and natural coconut flavour.

What Mini Me thinks

The evolution of Blanc Coco demonstrates the versatility of sparkling coconut water and shows the coconut water trend still has legs.

*Images of Blanc Coco taken by the author at Thaifex 2017

Tipco Foods enters premium sports drink category

By
Tan Heng Hong
-
Image fr om the web

Tipco Foods Plc launched a new sport drinks Tipco Wave at the end of April 2017. The drink features BluBio containing nutritive minerals from New Zealand’s Pacific Ocean.

The author finally had a chance to try it yesterday (1 June 2017). Tipco Wave tastes like a diluted energy drink without the strong ‘medicinal’ taste often associated with energy drink. When asked about Tipco Wave, the person in charge described the beverage as a “natural Gatorade.”

Key ingredients

White grape juice from white grape juice concentrate 10%, fructose syrup 5.8%, magnesium lactate dihydrate (0.1%), sodium chloride (BluBio) 0.07%, potassium choloride 0.03%, acidity regulator, natural identical flavour and no preservatives.

It comes in the original and orange flavours. The introduction of Blue Wave shows Tipco is diversifying into a new category – premium sports drink. This ties in well with the company’s focus on the healthy drink segment. Blue Wave has an energy of 60kcal per serving of 250ml.

Targeting 20-50-years-old

Kittichet Sathitnoppachai, Tipco marketing director, said Tipco Wave is aimed at 20-50-years-old who like sports and are conscious of their health and concerned about organic, reported The Nation on 26 April 2017.

100Plus dominates sports drink market

According to Kittichet, Thailand’s sports drink market in 2017 is expected to reach THB 6 billion in 2017, up 10-15% over the same period ago. ThaiBev’s 100Plus is the market leader in sprots drink in PET bottle with a 45% market share, followed by Coca-Cola’s Aquarius with 28-29% and Gatorade with 15%. In the glass bottle format, Sponsor has a clear lead with an 85% market share, according to the article in Brand Buffet.

Tipco to sell consumer pack homsuwan pineapple

By
Tan Heng Hong
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Tipco Foods Plc, Thailand’s leading exporter of processed pineapple and market leader in the fruit juice market, has unveiled the Slice Homsuwan Pineapple with Chilli Salt Dip at Thaifex 2017 (image below was taken by the author). Homsuwan, also known as aromatic gold pineapple, was developed by Tipco Biotech, a unit that focuses on fresh fruit and ingredients.

Homsuwan has outstanding fragrance, golden firm pulp, and higher Vitamin C. Homsuwan won the iTQi Superior Taste Award 2016 in the fresh food category.

The company plans to start selling this consumer pack homsuwan each with an individual stick around September 2017 mainly via convenience stores.

There were no sliced pineapple in stick at 7-Eleven Thailand (image below).

At the moment, Tipco Foods operates a Homsuwan Pina Pina by Tipco outlet selling desserts made with the aromatic gold pineapple.

What Mini Me thinks

With the processed canned fruit industry a sunset industry, it is timely for the company to sell fresh pineapple to earn a higher margin.

 

Ajethai unveils Vida vitamin water, enters RTD tea segment

By
Tan Heng Hong
-

Ajethai, the producer of Big Cola in Thailand, plans to introduce Vida vitamin water in the fourth quarter of 2017, said Chintaphat Chanlongbutr, modern trade and export manager at Kola Real Trading Co., Ltd, a subsidairy of Ajethai. Chintaphat revealed this at Thaifex 2017. The food and beverage expo started on 31 May 2017 and will last until 4 June 2017. The launching of Vida would mark the expansion of the brand into the functional vitamin water category.

Six products under Vida

The Vida range comprises six variants:

  • Collagen for skin beauty
  • Q10 for skin beauty
  • Calcium for bone health
  • B-Complex for rejuvenation
  • D3 for well being
  • Selenium for immunity

Vida Collagen will have 2,000mg of collagen, no sugar, low in calorie and comes in the orange flavour. Vida Q10, meanwhile, will have 15mg of Q10, no added sugar and low in calorie.

Vida Calcium features vitamin D, calcium, magnesium and orange flavour. Vida B-Complex will have niacin, vitamin B5 & B6 and comes in apple/pear flavour.

Vida Selenium has zinc, vitamin A, vitamin E in the punch flavour. Vida D3 has vitamin D, vitamin B3, B5 and B6 and will have two flavours green tea and peach.

Introduces RTD tea

In addition to Vida vitamin water, Ajethai has introduced Aje Big Green Tea in honey lemon and original flavours a month ago (May 2017). The new RTD tea represented the expansion of the brand into the RTD tea category. Honey lemon is a popular flavour in RTD tea. The Aje Big Green Tea has no preservative and is made from natural tea.

Flavoured carbonates to increase user base

In the carbonated soft drink (CSD) category, Chintaphat said the introduction of the chocolate flavoured Big Cola, launched in early 2017, and other flavoured CSDs served the main purpose of recruiting new customers.

What Mini Me thinks

The new green tea and the proposed introduction of Vida vitamin water shows Ajethai is working towards rebalancing its current portfolio away from carbonates towards healthier drinks. The company may find itself fighting an uphill battle against the more established RTD tea players such as Ichitan and Oishi.

Success of millionaire program boosts Ichitan performance in Indonesia

By
Tan Heng Hong
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Image from the web

Ichitan Group reported stellar performance in Indonesia with sales reaching 2 million cases in the first five months of 2017, reported The Nation on 24 May 2017. The achievement represents two-thirds of the 2017 full year target of 3 million cases.

The millionaire program (“Mendadak Jutawan“) involving the giveaway of IDR 9 billion to 30 lucky winners each taking home IDR 300 million (USD 22,500) has been an overwhelming success. The campaign started on 1 April 2017 and will end on 30 July 2017.

1st winner announced

Ichitan Group CEO Tan Passakornnatee, also known as Mr Ichitan, personally handed the bundle of cash totaling IDR 300 million to the first winner. Being present at the prize giving event is important as it adds a personal touch and increases the appeal of Mr Ichitan and the Ichitan brand as generous and a saviour of the poor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnwxgX7Y0PM

Such marketing helps to instill a feel good factor on the brand, thus generating the same impact as what Ichitan has achieved with its campaigns in Thailand. Passakornnatee was also present in the handing out of cash prizes to a number of IDR 300 million winners.

Win-win for retailers and brand owner

Retailers benefited from the millionaire program as they would receive prizes such as Apple iPhone from each winner of the IDR 300 million who bought at their store. By making retailers (ie small warung owners) happy, they are more willing to stock Ichitan products in the future and this would increase the brand penetration.

Ichitan now in Indomaret

Previously, Ichitan, a joint venture with Atri Pasifik, was not present in Indomaret, the largest minimarket chain in Indonesia. Atri Pasifik is a joint venture between Japan’s Mitsubishi Corp and local Sigmantara Alfindo (Alfa Group), which runs a competing Alfamart minimarket in the country. The expansion of the distribution channel into Indomaret is positive for Ichitan as this improves the product penetration further.

Spike in interest

There has been a sudden increase in interest about Ichitan following the launch of the millionaire program in April 2017. Most of the searches revolve around the millionaire program, a testimony of the success of the campaign.

Looking at first profit by 2019

Ichitan aims to earn a profit from its investment in Indonesia by 2019, said Passakornnatee. At the moment, the local unit is still a loss-making entity.

Gorilla workout drink, HoneyB sparkling drink entering China

By
Tan Heng Hong
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Image from HoneyB Facebook page

HoneyB, the world’s first halal sparkling honey drink, and Gorilla isotonic drink, both made by Malaysian companies are now in China. Gorilla is distributed by Mayiyanghuo (蚂蚁洋货), while HoneyB is distributed by Shanghai-based Golden International Corporation (上海戊申商贸有限公司). Gorilla comprises the complete workout range – Reload, Turbo and Fuel for before, during and after workout. Golden International Corporation (GIC) is also the distributor of Arla, Hero, Lurpak and other food products in mainland China.

Below as the photo of Gorilla workout drink at SIAL China 2017. The image was taken by the author.

HoneyB will enter hypermarket chain such as Carrefour and Auchan in China by the end of May 2017.

What Mini Me Thinks

Malaysian SMEs are actively targeting the export market to grow their new brand as the beverage business is all about volume.

The choice is yours – Good Mood or Bad Mood

By
Tan Heng Hong
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Image from the Good Mood TVC

Your choice

The choice is yours – good mood or bad mood. This is the choice the male protagonist has to choose. The selection he made will have dire consequences – a matter of life and death or a happy ending.

The TV commercial by PT Suntory Garuda Beverages for its latest drink Good Mood inspired by infused water, presents the viewers with a choice. With the tagline “Ubah Mood-mu” or “Change your mood,” consumers are given the option to change their mood for the better or worse. Good Mood is an infusion of real lemon extract and a hint of honey. The drink is positioned to brighten and uplift your mood.

Bad Choice

A bad selection ruins the day. The male protagonist made the wrong selection and ended up fighting for his life trying to escape from zoombies while clutching a hen and holding a banana.

Good Choice

By choosing Good Mood, his mood improves and everything looks cheerful and fine. He even offers to open the taxi door for a stranger and give a balloon to a complete stranger.

In the office, his simple “fluttering” dance move became viral after an employee secretly filmed it and uploaded on the Internet. This section pays tribute to the quest of millennials going to extreme lengths for celebrity fame on YouTube, sometimes without even realising it.

After the clip was uploaded, it became viral and was reported by the global media. This spurned copycats around the world.

Shoot to fame

Upon leaving the main door of his office, the protagonist was surprised to find himself surrounded by journalists wanting to catch a glimpse of the person behind the viral dance move.

Millennials choose fame over career

A survey by Clapit, a discovery platform for new talent, has found 30% of millennials would choose to become famous rather than becoming a lawyer. One in ten millennials would choose fame over a college degree and over a quarter of millennials would quite their job in exchange for fame.

This TVC by Suntory Garuda resonates with the shoot to fame mentality and aspiration of the millennial generation, the target audience of the Good Mood drink.

What Mini Me thinks

It is inconceivable 15 years ago to think of making a living as a YouTuber or Internet celebrity but this has happened now.

Blanc Coco sparkling coconut water to debut in China in June

By
Tan Heng Hong
-

Blanc Coco, the world first 100% sparkling coconut water from nam hom coconut, is now available in PET and can packaging. The new packaging was spotted at SIAL China 2017 (17-19 May 2017), which was held at the Shanghai New International Expo. The author first saw Blanc Coco at Thaifex 2016 in May 2016.

Image from Blanc Coco official website

Blanc Coco is produced by Thai Coconut Public Company Ltd and was officially launched in Malaysia in February 2017. Blanc Coco is distributed locally by Euro-Atlantic Sdn Bhd and is available in four flavours  – Natural Flavour, Mango & Pineapple, Lemonade and Pomegranate. With a selling price of RM 7.50, Blanc Coco is targeted at foodservice and high-end grocers.

In China, Blanc Coco is distributed by Nanjing Big Dipper International Trade Co., Ltd. (南京碧得璞国际贸易有限公司) and will be made available the glass version in early June 2017. The selling price is likely to be around CNY 30 per bottle. The premium price means the sparkling coconut water will focus on high-end supermarkets, star graded hotels and restaurants.

Kalbe Farma Xon-Ce extends into RTD segment

By
Tan Heng Hong
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Image from Xon-Ce Facebook

Indonesia’s largest pharmaceutical company Kalbe Farma is leveraging on its strength and trusted brand in healthcare by extending its Xon-Ce chewable vitamin C tablet into the ready-to-drink (RTD) segment.

Launched around March 2017, the new Xon-Ce Drink is a healthy RTD drink high in vitamin C, vitamin D and calcium, the first of its kind in Indonesia. The drink is also marketed to consumers who are allergic to milk but still need something to help them to increase their calcium level.

The TV commercial asks the pertinent question which is important – vitamin C, vitamin D or calcium. The answer is CC+D is important for the life of young adults. The tagline is “Taste the Double CC.” Consumers are recommended to consume 2 bottles of Xon-Ce Drink to meet 80% of theirdaily calcium needs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihD7VMHXN_E

Each 200ml serving of Xon-Ce Drink provides 100% of the daily needs in vitamin C and vitamin D as well as 40% of calcium.

The retail selling price is IDR 5,500. Xon-Ce Drink is made by PT Hale International, which also produces the Original Love Juice.

Indonesian wafer players bet big on chocolate wafer in China

By
Tan Heng Hong
-
Nabati booth at Sial China 2017. Image taken by the author

Richeese

Indonesia’s PT Kaldu Sari Nabati, which has made it big in China with the popular Richeese cheese wafer, is now looking at replicating the success of cheese wafer with chocolate wafer.

Image from the web

At the Nabati booth at SIAL China 2017 (17-19 May 2017), Vincent Zhang, country manager at Enerlife China, told the author chocolate wafer would be the key focus for China in 2017. In 2017, the company introduced Richeese SiiP (roasted corn, chocolate and cheese flavours) and Richoco Nabati Chocolate Flavored Wafer.

Nabati entered China in 2013 focusing initially in the southern provinces. The long period of market cultivation has made Guangdong, Fujian and Hunan the key markets for Nabati. The company is now moving north into Beijing, Henan and into east China such as Shanghai where Richeese wafer is available in convenience stores, online, Walmart and other modern retailing channels.

The Richeese wafer in China is made less sweet to fit the preference of Chinese consumers, said Vincent. The ingredients are also slightly different from Indonesia to comply with Chinese regulations.

Richeese among most sought after – JD Research shows

The JD Research Institute (京东数据研究院) recently published the Belt and Road Initiative Cross Border E-Commerce 2017 Report (2017“一带一路”跨境电商消费趋势报告) on 15 May 2017. The report by the research arm of the Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com has named Richeese (丽芝士) among the most popular snacks imported by China from Belt and Road countries in 2016. Richeese shares this title with Vietnam’s Lipo bread, Indonesia’s dried fruit and vegetables and 7D dried mango from the Philippines.

OT Group – Tango wafer

Tango Waffle Crunchox was the key highlight for OT (Orang Tua) at SIAL China 2017. OT is late in the game. The key reason for focusing on chocolate wafer is to differentiate the company’s product range from Nabati’s popular Richeese cheese wafer, which according to Nabati has been imitated by a lot of companies.

In China, Tango Waffle Crunchox and Tango Wafer are among the products distributed by Zhuhai Twinstar Trading Co., Ltd., a local unit of OT.

The company said its products sold best in the southern and eastern China as consumers in these region are more open to trying new imported food.

Nextar nastar cookies (pineapple tart) was on display but is currently not available in China.

Fullo Blasto chocolate wafer stick is distributed by another unrelated company Shenzhen Future Import & Export Co., Ltd., which has the rights to distribute Fullo Blasto in China.

*All the images were taken by the author

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