Southeast Asia

In one of his final major speeches, outgoing Singapore prime minister Lee Hsien Loong mentioned "novel food biotechnologies" as a promising job prospect – it's a nod to the country's food tech pedigree. In two weeks' time, Lee…
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Singaporean sustainable food production platform Nurasa has opened a Food Tech Innovation Centre to help alternative protein companies scale up production and enhance flavour and nutrition. Nurasa, the sustainable food innovation…
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A year after filing for administration in the UK, vegan food manufacturer Plant & Bean has opened a new factory for plant-based meat via a joint venture in Thailand. Much like its counterparts, 2023 was a turbulent year for Plant…
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UK oat milk brand Minor Figures saw losses grow to nearly £10M last year, citing inflationary pressures and a downturn in the Asia-Pacific market – but its overall revenues jumped to £31.8M, and the company is now on the path to becoming…
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At the inaugural THAIFEX-HOREC Asia in Bangkok last month, representation for veganism was strong, particularly for plant-based milk, with a host of startups presenting new innovations in the space. March brought with it scorching heat…
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Indonesian plant-based company Green Rebel will grace supermarket aisles in the Philippines with its shelf-stable and frozen ready meals via a partnership with Filipino condiment manufacturer and distributor NutriAsia. Filipinos will…
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India is joining the ranks of other southeast Asian companies to establish a regulatory framework for cultivated meat and seafood companies, who can then file a dossier to receive approval from its food safety authority to sell their…
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Better Bite Ventures has opened up applications for the latest funding round of its First Bite scheme, which offers early-stage investments to food tech startups in the Asia-Pacific region. The new round will focus on crops that most…
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Singapore-based 70/30 Food Tech has closed a $700,000 seed extension round, which has helped it launch a research lab to develop mycelium-based protein products, starting with shredded chicken. 70/30 Food Tech's latest fundraiser saw…
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New Zealand has the most robust cage-free policy framework across Asia-Pacific, while Bangladesh, Malaysia and Vietnam have the joint worst, according to a new 17-country report. With consumer unease over animal welfare increasing – a…
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Israeli cultivated meat leader Aleph Farms is advancing its Southeast Asia strategy with an "asset-light" approach through a deal that will involve the first production facility dedicated to cultured meat in Thailand. Aleph Farms has…
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The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore has issued a fatwa declaring that cultivated meat is generally halal, and Muslims can eat these products as long as they adhere to halal standards. The Fatwa Committee of the Majlis Ugama Islam…
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Finnish company Solar Foods' Solein protein is expanding its footprint in Singapore through a partnership with Helsinki-based food giant Fazer Group, which has crafted a limited-edition snack bar using the air protein. Fazer has…
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Singapore is renowned for its position as an alternative protein leader – a new study reveals how members of the general public as well as scientific experts feel about cultured meat, and its effects on general health and society. Soon,…
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Two-thirds of Thailand's population wants to eat less meat over the next two years and replace it with plant-based alternatives, according to a new survey. Health and nutrition are the main motivators, while price and availability remain…
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An increasing number of diaspora startups in the US are championing their South Asian heritage with offerings that pay homage to their culture while catering to a broad audience. When I lived in the UK, my bedroom was always known as…
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In what is one of the largest acquisitions in the Indian plant-based sector, superfood player Nourish You has acquired vegan dairy brand One Good. Ahead of a planned Series A next year, CFO Radhika Datt pulls the curtain on the why and how…
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Singaporean cultivated meat company Meatiply has closed the first round of its seed funding, securing $3.75M in financing to scale up production of its hybrid products and facilitate its new R&D facility, set to open next year. A…
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At a major APAC food tech conference in Singapore last month, I spoke to four alt-meat founders from India, China, the Philippines and Australia to find out what Asian consumers want from plant-based meat products. Last month, as part…
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While only a three-year-old company, Green Rebel is taking the Indonesian plant-based meat scene by storm. I visited Burgreens – its sister restaurant – in Canggu, Bali, which makes an array of dishes from across the world using the meat…
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A new report by marketing activism group Clean Creatives explores how Asia's fossil fuel industry is failing communities in the region, using greenwashing techniques to shift the blame from its climate impacts. These include loyalty credit…
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