AB Pascual Foods has made available new flavoured Greek-style yogurt drinks in the Philippines. Available in plain, strawberry and mango, the Greek-style yogurt drinks are a source of calcium. These calcium-rich yogurt beverages complement AB Pascual Foods’ existing range of shelf-stable spoonable yogurts and Greek-style yogurts.
Building a Broadline Wholesale Food Distribution Business to Supply Food Industry Retailers and Mid- to High-End Luxury Hotels and Restaurants in Vietnam
Nov. 22, 2023, Sojitz Corporation (“Sojitz”) together with Sojitz Asia Pte. Ltd. and Sojitz Vietnam Company Ltd. has jointly acquired full ownership of DaiTanViet Joint Stock Company (“NEW VIET DAIRY”), which is Vietnam’s largest wholesaler of commercial food.
NEW VIET DAIRY is a wholesale importer and distributor that operates in three areas—commercial foods, foodservice, and dairy ingredients. The company’s annual sales totaled approximately JPY 37 billion in 2022. NEW VIET DAIRY is also the sole food importer in Vietnam to be granted approval and certification by the Authorized Economic Operators program*¹as a business operator with established security management and legal compliance systems, which enables expedited customs clearance procedures.
Growth is anticipated in Vietnam’s dining industry as demand continues to increase from both eat-in restaurants and takeout delivery services. As part of NEW VIET DAIRY’s commercial food and foodservice businesses, the company handles a total of 2,000 products for nearly 6,000 mid- to high-end luxury hotels and restaurants and has approximately 100 suppliers in Vietnam and overseas.
NEW VIET DAIRY is also one of the country’s largest handlers of beef, cheese, and other food products that have increased in demand due to diversifying needs from an evolving food culture. A large number of products are processed and manufactured at the company’s factory and distributed nationwide under the Bottega Zelachi brand. These production activities will continue to be developed moving forward. The company’s Foodservice Division is an added-value segment that is offering food solutions to professionals.
With the rise in middle class consumers, Vietnam’s dairy products market is expected to grow to approximately USD 8.4 billion with an average annual growth rate exceeding 8%.*² NEW VIET DAIRY imports dairy ingredients to Vietnam from New Zealand’s largest dairy manufacturer, Fonterra, to supply dairy product manufacturers with powdered milk and other products. NEW VIET DAIRY has earned a reputation for responding to customer needs with fast delivery times and by accommodating even small lot orders. The company boasts a 40% market share from sales as the top in the industry.*³
Vietnam has been one of Sojitz’s most important markets. In recent years, Sojitz has built value chains for manufacturing, logistics, and retail industries in Vietnam to meet the rapid expansion of supermarkets, convenience stores, and other modernized retail store business formats. Through acquisition of NEW VIET DAIRY, Sojitz will work alongside its consolidated subsidiary and major consumer goods wholesaler, Huong Thuy Manufacture Service Trading Corporation (“HT”), to create a broadline wholesale food distribution business that supplies independently owned retail stores, mass merchandisers, and mid- to high-end hotels and restaurants. Sojitz will leverage both NEW VIET DAIRY and HT’s customer networks to expand its sales channels in Vietnam. Additionally, Sojitz will make use of NEW VIET DAIRY’s sales network to promote sales of marine food products handled by MF Vietnam Ltd.*4 among other business collaborations, and Sojitz will continue to pursue synergy with Sojitz Group businesses to strengthen its value chains in Vietnam.
*1: Authorized Importers’ Program: An importer who has received the approval of any director general of regional Customs in advance will be able to use the Authorized Importers’ Program for designated types of goods, which will make it possible to have goods released prior to filing a declaration for customs duty payment, by separating the import and duty payment declarations, conditioned on a guarantee of compliance with the law. Consequently, there will be greater convenience for the importer, such as a reduction in cost, receiving imported goods more quickly and easily, and improving the efficiency of business.
(Source: Japan Customs)
*2: Source: Euromonitor research
*3: Source: In-house research
*4: A group company of The Marine Foods Corporation, a subsidiary of Sojitz
Vitasoy has launched two new soy milk drinks in Singapore: the Okinawa Purple Sweet Potato Soya Bean Drink and the Red Bean Soya Bean Drink. These low-sugar drinks are available exclusively at 7-Eleven.
Vitasoy’s revenue from Singapore increased by 1% in local currency and 4% in Hong Kong Dollar terms for the first half of FY2023/2024 ended 30 September 2023. The company experienced weaker beverage sales and higher price pressures in the local tofu category.
Despite being the market leader in the ready-to-drink tea and ready-to-drink soymilk categories in Hong Kong, Vitasoy does not have a strong competitive advantage in Singapore. The company can improve its brand image by adopting a more localised and more vibrant packaging design.
NutriAsia has introduced UFC QUESORAP, which is a new cheese block product in the Philippines. The new cheese block is made from real milk and natural cheese to give it a creamy, milky and cheesy taste. The cheese block is best paired with bread, crackers and of UFC Spaghetti.
The launch of UFC QUESORAP marks the entry of NutriAsia into the cheese segment, which complements its range of culinary products.
Embrace the irresistible taste of UFC QUESORAP. Purchase it now on Shopee and elevate your culinary creations.
SEOUL, South Korea–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Hanul World Wide (CEO Sung-hwan Kim), a company specialized in importing and distributing high-quality Korean products in the Philippines, is distributing the Snow Soju, a fruit soju.
The beverage is available in two flavors, peach and ginger. Crafted from Applease Korea’s apple-based soju, this spirit boasts a milder and more nuanced flavor profile compared to other diluted fruit soju options. The product is expected to be appealing to Filipino customers with its taste for mild premium fruit soju.
The Snow Soju is currently available at Sing Sing Hi Mart, imMart, and other select locations in Angeles, Philippines. Hanul Worldwide has announced plans to expand distribution throughout Metro Manila in the second half of 2023, making Snow Soju accessible to a wider range of Filipino soju enthusiasts. In addition to the two existing flavors, the company will introduce new fruit flavors to cater to diverse palates and preferences.
Founded in 2006, Hanul Worldwide was chosen as a partner in the 2022 Hi-Seoul Friends support project organized by the Seoul Business Agency, collaborating with CNCOM CO., LTD (C&Com) (CEO Tae-gyun Kim), a company recognized by Hi-Seoul Korea. Through this partnership, Hanul Worldwide is poised to expand its import and distribution of premium Korean quality-of-life products that aim to enhance the lives of Filipinos.
Established in 2000 with an initial focus on brand and product package design, C&Com has evolved into a full-service public relations and advertising agency. Since 2019, the company has served as a distribution agent for a leading general food company, successfully distributing coffee and tea products through online open markets. With this proven track record, Hi-Seoul Friends anticipates that C&Com will play a pivotal role in expanding the reach of premium Korean products within the Philippine market.
Suntory Beverage & Food Thailand has unveiled a new carbonated Lipton iced tea that elevates the brand’s refreshing taste to a new level. The sugar-free Lipton Lemon Za Ice Tea comes in a convenient 445ml pack.
A&W Malaysia has made available Kentang Popcorn with Mala seasoning to make the taste buds tingling. Mala is gaining popularity in Malaysia as more Muslim-friendly eateries selling mainland regional dishes appear in the market.
Customers can also level up their crispy bites with the new Creamy Dill Sauce for just RM1.50.
Swensen’s Ice Cream 101 Flavours Pop-up Project has recently opened on ground floor of The Mall Lifestore Bangkapi in Bangkok. The pop-up features an enticing range of 101 flavours, from Fresh from Farm options to Authentic Thai delights like Cranberry Tamarind Sorbet, Mango Yoghurt Sherbet, and Durian Monthong.
This delightful pop-up is open from November 21, 2023, to February 18, 2024. Customers can indulge in three sizes: small (2 scoops) for THB 99, medium (5 scoops) for THB 129, or large (10 scoops) for THB 219.
Nestlé Thailand has revived the nostalgic taste of Milo dispensed from a Milo van with a limited-edition 110ml Milo priced at THB 13. This special Milo evokes fond memories for both young and old, tapping into a powerful marketing strategy that resonates with consumers across generations.
HEINEKEN Cares 2023 calls upon Malaysians to share the joy of true togetherness with communities in need
Petaling Jaya, 4 December 2023 – Heineken Malaysia Berhad (HEINEKEN Malaysia) and Sokong by Malaysiakini are joining hands to collaborate on HEINEKEN Cares 2023, a community impact initiative aimed at strengthening community resilience in the face of increasing social and economic challenges.
Through the programme, six NGOs and social enterprises have been selected to implement projects in the areas of food security, community farming, as well as access to clean water and renewable electricity. The six partner organisations are Hopes Malaysia, Hope Place Kuching, Soroptimist International Region of Malaysia, Ferris Wheel Organisation, SOLS Energy, and Yellow House KL.
In conjunction with the festive season in the month of December, HEINEKEN Cares 2023 calls upon the public to contribute to enabling the amazing work of these organisations. For every RM10 donated, HEINEKEN Cares will match it with a further RM40, bringing the total value raised to RM50. The campaign will stop accepting funds upon reaching the total funding target of the six projects.
Roland Bala, Managing Director of HEINEKEN Malaysia, shared, “In the midst of the festivities where many of us will be celebrating and gathering with friends and families, we want to encourage Malaysians to share the joy of true togetherness and give back by extending a hand to those in need. Through our collaboration with Sokong by Malaysiakini, HEINEKEN Cares 2023 aims to amplify the work of our partner NGOs and social enterprises to create a positive impact for communities in need. Every contribution, big or small, is a collective effort to inspire a better world for those who need it the most. In line with HEINEKEN’s Brew A Better World sustainability strategy, we are honoured to drive this project to create a positive impact for our communities.”
The HEINEKEN Cares programme was first launched at the height of the pandemic in 2021 with the main goal of supporting vulnerable communities and disaster victims through food aid and urgent care packages. In 2022, the programme transitioned from short term food aid to community farming projects that supported longer term capacity building for local communities. Over the past two years, the HEINEKEN Cares programme has resulted in 850,000 meals and care packages for communities across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak.
Commenting on the collaboration between Sokong and HEINEKEN Malaysia, Eshwaren Manoharen, Project Manager from Sokong, said, “Collaborating with HEINEKEN Malaysia for the HEINEKEN Cares Programme 2023 has been nothing short of incredible. Their unwavering commitment to fostering positive impact and community resilience has been inspiring. Together, we’ve identified six projects that will make a meaningful difference in lives across Malaysia. Staying true to our mission as the bridge between individuals and impactful causes, we invite you to join us this festive season in creating positive change within underprivileged communities. Your support will be a crucial part of this transformative journey, let’s spread joy together!”
As a digital platform to help generate and distribute donations to NGOs and social enterprises, Sokong will also play a crucial role in providing the platform for members of the public to learn more about the project, the participating NGOs and social enterprises, and contribute to help reach the fundraising target of the projects. All funds raised through HEINEKEN Cares 2023 will be channelled to six community projects across Malaysia including:
Joanne Yeoh, representing Soroptimist International Region of Malaysia, said, “We are glad to be able to collaborate with HEINEKEN Cares once again. In the past, this partnership has allowed us to expand our reach and intensify our efforts to strengthen our communities’ resilience. This year, we aim to amplify our impact and inspire the public to support meaningful projects that will bring genuine positive change to vulnerable sections of society. A small gesture can go a long way to help those in need.”
Cheers to giving back! As the festive season approaches, join HEINEKEN Malaysia and Sokong this December to share the joy of true togetherness with communities throughout Malaysia. For every RM10 donated, HEINEKEN Malaysia will match it with an additional RM40. Check out the campaign site sokong.org/campaigns/heineken-cares-2023 and make your donation today!
