ASEAN Focus: EastRoc on entering the region, Nestle's Nescafe Plan 2030, Thailand's Boonprasert Confectionery and more feature in our round-up

Energetic expansion: China’s EastRoc Beverages sets sights on South East Asia as new key export market for best-selling energy drinks​

Energy drink giant EastRoc Beverages has set its sights on South East Asia as a key export destination after having established itself as one of the largest brands in China, planning to retain its original best-selling recipe for its initial entry.

EastRoc is one of the largest energy drink brands in China, but has largely remained a domestic brand over its 35 years of operations.

Plans for aggressive export expansion several years back were forcibly halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but now that borders have reopened the firm believes the time is right for it to put these into action.

Coffee resilience: Nestle says diverse ag strategies needed to tackle sustainability challenges in SEA​

Nestle has stressed that a range of regenerative agricultural strategies will be crucial to tackle coffee production and sustainability challenges in South East Asia.

The MNC detailed its view via the first progress report on its Nescafe Plan 2030.

This was first launched in 2018 with a focus on key coffee production markets, many of which are located in Asia including Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Thailand and the Philippines.

Sweet surprises: 50-year-old Boonprasert Confectionery boosts format and functional innovation to meet new consumer needs​

Thailand’s Boonprasert Confectionery is evolving its innovation strategy to focus on the development of novel formats and functional offerings to meet changing consumer needs in and out of its home market.

Boonprasert is celebrating its 50th anniversary since it was first established in 1973. Throughout its long history, it has cemented its position as one of the largest and oldest confectionery manufacturers in Thailand.

However, given how rapidly consumer interests and demands are changing today when it comes to the intake of their sweet treats, the firm has realised that it also needs to evolve in terms of its product innovation according to these novel demands.

“Boonprasert is best known for our soft chewy candies and have the number one market position for these, especially our MyMint chewy candies,”​ Boonprasert Confectionery Marketing Manager Narong Karnjanolarn told FoodNavigator-Asia​.

‘Not another me-too’: Singapore startup launches eggless mayo capitalising on localisation trends​

Singapore start-up Hegg has launched its eggless Japanese mayonnaise in the domestic market and is looking to capitalise on growth opportunities across Asia with ‘localised flavours.’

It debuted its Eggless Mayo on its official website and major e-commerce platforms Shopee and Lazada in early-July, and is looking to enter supermarkets in Singapore by the third quarter of this year.

CEO Yao Png Ow told FoodNavigator-Asia​ that the egg supply chain disruption during the pandemic period and the perceived lack of market competition in this plant-based category in Asia-Pacific had paved the way for their strategy.

Beyond protein powder: Malaysia’s Amazin’ Graze tapping on health benefits of probiotics to drive growth​

Malaysian brand Amazin’ Graze’s says the addition of probiotics into its protein powder line-up has provided a more ‘complete nutritional profile’ as consumers look for a wider range of health benefits.

Founded in 2015 as a home-based business in Malaysia, Amazin’ Graze specialises in healthy snacks spanning granola and muesli, nut mixes, nut butters, instant oatmeal, healthy chips, protein blends, and healthy essentials ranging from nuts, seeds, and figs. Its physical store presence spans more than 200 retailers in Malaysia and Singapore, and online via its website to Australia, Hong Kong, and the United States.

Its latest launch in January last year introduced its first probiotic superfood range that comes in the form of a plant-based protein powder.