Records of the National Library of Medicine database at the United States National Institutes of Health prove this.

“While New Zealand accounts for only 4% of the world’s total production of blackcurrants, the high amount of unique anthocyanin compositions means that New Zealand blackcurrants have much higher nutritional values over other blackcurrant berries and are also pure and sustainable quality berries,” explained Eddie Shiojima, founder of Just The Berries PD (JTBPD) Corp.

JTBPD is the world’s leading supplier of New Zealand blackcurrant-based nutraceutical health ingredients, supplements and functional foods. The company has been involved in the research, production and distribution of New Zealand blackcurrants with the NZ Blackcurrant Cooperative and National Institute of Plant and Food for two decades.

“We have produced scientific studies with Plant and Food Research, Massey University in New Zealand, Niigata University and Chubu University in Japan and North Carolina State University and Connecticut University,” Shiojima said.

From right to left: John Tavendale, Chairman of NZ Blackcurrant Cooperative; Murray Stephens, former Chairman of NZ Blackcurrant; Eddie Shiojima, founder of Just The Berries PD Corp.; Alan Dobson, Consultant of NZ Blackcurrant  |  © JTBPD

NZ Blackcurrant berries grown on trees 3 feet high  |  © JTBPD

With Japan as a leading client, the company observes a high standard for their operations, which is why Tican Fresh Meat has been working systematically to produce premium quality meat for its customers.

Its operations are divided into two parts, with the first division catering to nearer markets, and the other focusing on exporting high-quality products for the Japanese and other Asian countries.

Niels Jorgen Villesen, CEO of Tican Fresh Meat  |  © Tican Fresh Meat

With its successful growth strategy in China since 1994, subsidiary company Asahi Beer (China) Investment Co. has earned a reputation for delivering high-quality products to beer enthusiasts in China.

In line with China’s increasing number of affluent, young professionals, there is growing demand for premium and specialty beers in China. To meet this growing demand, Asahi Beer (China) Investment Co. has introduced popular products such as Peroni and Grolsch to cater to Chinese and international consumers.

Takashi Nishimura, President of Asahi Beer (China) Investment Co.  |  © Synergy Media Specialists

Hargol FoodTech took the leap to look for effective solutions to solve these concerns by being the first company in the world that has successfully developed a protein alternative by farming grasshoppers.

“Over the last 5 years we have been fortunate enough to win multiple innovation competitions increasing the exposure of the benefits of grasshoppers as a protein source for humans. This includes in 2017, the ‘Get In The Ring’ competition held in Singapore giving us the opportunity to meet our Singaporean investors and grab the attention of further local government and new foreign investors in the region,” said Dror Tamir, CEO and co-founder of Hargol FoodTech.

Since the company has already made its global presence known in The United States, Europe and Australia, the next step is to further develop its product lines through joint ventures to develop, manufacture and distribute innovative food products based on this unique ingredient.

“Farming grasshoppers is more sustainable and twenty times more efficient than farming beef. Grasshoppers provide many health benefits such as improved metabolism (reduction in sugar and cholesterol levels) and reduction in body fat. Many markets around the world are showing increased interest in this dynamic protein source.”

Dror Tamir, CEO and Co-founder of Hargol FoodTech   |  © Hargol FoodTech

Hargo grasshoppers served in Australia   |  © Hargol FoodTech

“Our vision is to allow the foreign market to enjoy Taiga Chocolates and take a piece of Finnish happiness with them,” said Mirja Palola, CEO of Taiga Chocolate Oy.

Due to its success, the company eventually received its first award at the Natural & Organic Awards Asia 2018 in Hong Kong for its line of dried fish dark chocolates.

“We were delighted to see Taiga’s Dark Chocolate with Smelt Fish win first prize for Outstanding Natural/ Organic Product,” said Palola.

This year, the company received its second award in time for its first anniversary, as it bagged the top spot in the confectionery category of the Speciality & Fine Food Asia 2019 trade fair held in Singapore.

Taiga Chocolates are currently available in Finland and Hong Kong. Taiga Chocolates has also been available in Singapore since late September via RedMart. The company also plans to export its products to Japan in the near future.

Taiga Chocolate’s Dark Chocolate with Smelt Fish   |  © Taiga Chocolate

Dark Chocolate, a powerful source of nutrients and antioxidants.   |  © Taiga Chocolate

Dydo has seen a promising future with Turkey and its neighboring countries, which led to the acquisition of the beverage arm of Turkish company, Yildiz Holding in 2016.

“The timing was perfect for both Dydo and Yildiz, as they wanted to focus on developing their chocolate and confectionery sectors while we looked into the expansion of our global reach in the beverage industry,” said Tadashi Sakashita, president and CEO of Dydo Drinco Turkey.

Tadashi Sakashita, President and CEO of Dydo Drinco Turkey |  © Synergy Media Specialists

BY MALU LAMBERT

The Old World lives here too, in terms of both style and tradition. South Africa also has some of the world’s oldest soils, demonstrated by steep, folded mountains, like the pages of a well-thumbed novel. The national vineyard is made up of a wide variety of cultivars, and sub-regions are famous for certain wines, such as Stellenbosch for cabernet sauvignon, or chardonnay in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley.

Though the country’s winemakers display considerable prowess with a number of varieties, the point of difference for an international taster is most certainly our chenin blanc and pinotage.

Chenin Blanc

Arguably the most exciting category in South African wine. It’s also makes up the majority of overall vineyard area, and in fact we have more plantings of chenin than any other region in the world. Dubbed the ‘Cinderella grape’, it’s only been in the last decade or so that chenin has enjoyed its fine wine resurgence. It was originally planted as a workhorse grape, mainly for the production of brandy as well as being a blending component in bulk wine. It can be made in a diverse range of styles, from fresh and fruity, to waxy and floral as well as rich and honeyed. The wines can be dry or sweet as well sparkling. Some of the most covetable chenins are produced in low yields from old bush vines offering deeply concentrated, complex wines that can age with cellaring.

TRY

Naude Old Vine Chenin Blanc

The spectacular Swartland vineyard region   |  © WOSA

For over a century, Mitsui Sugar Co., Ltd has enriched Japanese lives by providing safe, reliable and natural ingredients centred on sugar, functional carbohydrates, sugarcane and sugar beets.

Last year, Mitsui Sugar made a strategic move to acquire Singapore’s leading sugar company SIS’88 Pte. Ltd. in order to expand its business in Southeast Asia, a region in which demand for sugar continues to rise.

“SIS is a well-known, distinct brand in Singapore and the Middle East,” says Daisuke Saiga, president and CEO of Mitsui Sugar. “With Mitsui Sugar’s know-how, marketing capacity and long-running experience, we plan to leverage SIS’s existing brand recognition and become a leading brand in Singapore and Southeast Asia.”

SIS has a subsidiary named “Asian Blending” which specializes in food ingredient blends. The blending business is growing rapidly due to diversification of products in the food and beverage industry and their function and role has become important in the sugar market, particularly in middle to downstream.

In addition to strengthening its corporate values, Mitsui Sugar aims to raise the quality of life of customers by introducing healthier sugar alternatives.

Established in 1986, the Austrian Wine Marketing Board (AWMB) continues to play an important role in promoting Austrian wines to international markets, including Japan.

“Japan has always been a top priority in Austria’s wine export strategy to Asia. Although the volume is still very limited, we are very proud of the high average price which means that Japan is an extremely quality-orientated market for our wines,” said Willi Klinger, managing director of AWMB.

The winery was recently awarded sixth place in the Top 100 Best Wineries of the World by the World Ranking of Wines and Spirits and second place in the Best Wineries of Spain category.

“Sixth place in the world recognizes our philosophy, which is to make excellent wines that are also good value for money,” said Felix Solis Ramos, director of export and marketing. “The enjoyment of good wines does not have to be reserved for the few.”

One of the most relevant figures in the world of wine, James Suckling, recently awarded 93 points to Felix Solis Avantis’ Vina Albali Gran Reserva Seleccion Privada 2011. The excellent score reflects the extraordinary quality of one of the most exclusive Felix Solís Avantis wines.

After Chile, France and Italy, Spain is the fourth-largest wine supplier to Japan. With a growing number of Spanish bars and restaurants opening in Tokyo and other cities, more Spanish wine is being consumed in Japan.