Asia Pacific

The market for consumer health products in Thailand continued to enjoy healthy growth in current value terms in 2023. This was driven, to a large extent, by the revival of normal pre-pandemic patterns of behaviour, including the return of consumers…

Despite a decline in the number of COVID-19 cases, demand for analgesics continued to grow in 2023. This was partly due to the revival of pre-pandemic behavioural patterns, including the cessation of mask wearing and social distancing, which meant…

Staple foods in Singapore continued to experience marginally higher average unit prices from the lingering effect of the inflationary wave in 2022. Climate change and geopolitical risks further impacted global food production and supply chains,…

While retail demand for rice, pasta and noodles marginally increased as a whole in 2023, as consumers continued to cook more frequently at home amid the high cost of living pressures, growth patterns differed across the category. While retail volume…

Retail demand for processed meat, seafood and alternatives to meat marginally increased in 2023, following a slight drop the previous year when demand was affected by high inflationary pressures from supply chain disruptions and geopolitical…

Processed fruit and vegetables only recorded marginal retail volume growth in 2023, following a dip in 2022 due to rising unit prices, which saw consumers switching to fresh fruit and vegetables. The inevitable price hikes diminished the cost…

Although Kiribati enjoys political stability, a lack of business freedom has resulted in a poor ranking for economic freedom overall. Its narrow economic base prevents employment creation, resulting in high joblessness, whilst it is also highly…

Retail volume growth of breakfast cereals notably slowed in 2023 as inflationary pressures weighed down on consumers’ food budgets. Breakfast cereals, considered a less essential choice, saw consumers switching to other more affordable breakfast…

While retail volume sales of baked goods only recorded marginal growth in 2023, the category experienced strong retail current value growth, mainly due to unit price increases. The average unit price of baked goods continued to grow steadily in 2023…

India is witnessing increasing urbanisation with a major proportion of the population gravitating towards cities. In these cities, many consumers regularly order from foodservice outlets on a daily basis due to convenience and time constraints. These…

The revenge travel trend has continued in 2023, due to the broader reopening of Hong Kong after the pandemic, which has allowed consumers to travel abroad, with Japan emerging as a key destination. This has resulted in a significant reduction in the…

In 2023, soft drinks players adjusted their business and marketing strategies. This included launching smaller pack sizes, implementing marketing promotions and launching new budget brands. This was done in a bid to remain competitive amidst the…

Since late 2022, the broader reopening of Hong Kong has unleashed a desire to travel amongst Hong Kong consumers. The revenge travel trend, which began in 2022, has continued to shape consumer behaviour in 2023. As a result, due to the resumption of…

Soy drinks continued to dominate demand for plant-based milk in India at the end of the review period. It is popular for several reasons. Firstly, soy is widely consumed in India in various forms, where it is used in different vegetable-based dishes,…

French Polynesia receives considerable support from France. Nevertheless, pro-independence party won elections in 2023, which has the potential for increased tensions between French Polynesia and France. Rebounding tuourism may support post-pandemic…

Brunei Darussalam enjoys political stability and low levels of corruption. However, civil liberties are impinged upon by autocratic rule. With huge reliance on hydrocarbons, the economy is prone to various risks. An ageing populace could exert…

2023 witnessed a notable rise in celebrations, following missed opportunities for major gatherings during the pandemic. Sweets and desserts play a major role in celebrations, ranging from traditional sweets to Western options such as cakes,…

Since late 2022, the desire to travel has been seen amongst consumers in Hong Kong, due to the broader reopening of the country, with Japan emerging as a key destination. The revenge travel observed in 2023 has led to a significant reduction in the…

The trend towards plant-based diets in Thailand is rapidly gaining momentum, as health-conscious consumers increasingly opt for plant-based options. With growing demand for healthier choices, particularly protein from soybeans, and grains that are…

Due to the postponement of the third phase of the sugar tax in Thailand, which was postponed from 1 October 2022 to take effect on 31 March 2023, carbonated beverage players have had to act quickly to launch innovative products in response. Most…