By Rajeswari Ramanee – 27 September 2023
As meat consumption rises, producers and processors are mulling investing in new plants or extending existing facilities. But there are factors to consider. Manuel van’t Sant, Regional Director Sales, Poultry Asia & Oceania Marel Poultry, outlines some including:
1. Investing according to business goals
2. Factoring in the location of the plant for space constraints,
3. The environment’s infrastructure and accessibility to point-of-sale,
4. Cost which includes compliance with local guidelines and time for approvals, and
5. The current situation in other countries.
Mr van’t Sant has worked extensively in the Asian poultry industry and has a sound perspective of markets here.

By Somhatai Mosika – 16 August 2023
Asia is emerging as the main driver in restoring the global economy fueled by a vibrant food industry. Food manufacturers are expanding their operations and seeking new solutions to enhance the capacity and efficiency of their production lines. Asian Agribiz talks to Axel Arras, Chairman of FPT Food Process Technology, to learn about the demand for machinery and equipment in the region.
This podcast will touch on:
• Trends in food processing machinery and equipment in the Asian market
• Comparison between new and reconditioned machinery
• Tips for choosing the best solutions for food production lines

By Rajeswari Ramanee – 4 July 2023
Meat and seafood are being consumed in different ways in Asia, thanks to cultural openness, cuisines and preference. Suppliers are using technology to cater to precision portioning, as different cuts, weight measurements and shape of meats are changing. Eric Gohres, Vice President Asia Pacific of Marelec Food Technologies tells Asian Agribiz that:
1) Cultural exchange, urbanization and population growth are leading consumers to eat differently.
2) Meat product differentiation covers both home cooking and foodservices.
3) Big brands are heavily investing in secondary and further processing alongside changing trends.
4) Deboning, especially of dark meat is trending and is being used for foodservices products.
5) In terms of technology, x-ray and water-technology is trending for precision, accuracy and flexibility.
Eric Gohres has more than 20 years of experience and an extensive network in the meat and poultry processing industry covering the Asia-Pacific region. His understanding of the industry enables him to analyze and understand customer demands for the right application, to help them advance profitably.

By Zahrah Imtiaz – 24 May 2023
India’s alternative protein sector is on an upswing as new companies emerge by the day. Despite the backing of celebrities and international brands, the segment is yet to see mass commercialization. Asian Agribiz talks to Viscofan, Country Head, India, Pedro Sinues on the potential of plant based sausages in the country and whether they will revolutionize the convenience foods market in India.
This podcast will touch on:
• Potential and pain points of plant based meats
• Production issues
• Market capabilities of plant based meats

By Zahrah Imtiaz – 17 May 2023
On the sidelines of VIV Asia 2023, AB Vista, Managing Director, Juan Ignacio Fernandez talks to Asian Agribiz on the future growth strategies of the company in Asia. Mr Fernandez has always emphasised on Asia’s potential to drive growth in his company even as several countries struggle to cope with tough economic conditions this year.
This podcast will touch on:
• Challenges in the animal protein industry
• The potential growth points for AB Vista and Asia

By Rajeswari Ramanee – 5 April 2023
As implementation of Environmental, Social and Governance or ESG goals gain momentum, livestock stakeholders must understand some basic things. Malaysia’s carbon-related agriculture analyst and researcher, Dr Chian Wen Chan told Asian Agribiz that among other:
• Ratings are mostly given by accounting companies instead of science-based research and analytical bodies, and ratings will vary.
• ESG standards must be specifically tailored for different industries and there are no general standardized criteria.

By Arief Fachrudin – 21 December 2022
However, the paramount factor is human resource (HR) that runs the business.
Jaap ten Have, Managing Director of Nomilk2day Asia, lists HR challenges in the industry.
“We see many vacancies, but not many suitable candidates. Companies must be more creative to lure potential candidates. Inflation is a contributing factor, pushing people to stay in their jobs a bit longer for security,” Mr ten Have told Asian Agribiz.
“We also observe that loyalty is waning. We don’t see people working for the same company for 20-30 years anymore,” he added.
In this podcast, Mr ten Have addresses:
• tips for foreign employees to succeed in Asia,
• pain points of Asian candidates in moving up their career ladder,
• and ideas to attract the younger generation to join the animal protein industry.

By Payungsak Wiriyabunditkul – 12 October 2022
Tanawat Damnernthong General Manager of Burger (Thailand), sees opportunities for business growth and expansion, backed by growing burger consumption. Burger King offers both premium and affordable options. It has diversified its product offering and sales channels to meet consumer demand. Apart from meat and plant-based burgers, it offers rice with meat, rice porridge with pork and fried chicken. The company is also investing and growing its digital touchpoints, including its own app, website, delivery services and kiosks.
In this podcast, Mr Tanawat addresses:
• Opportunities and challenges in the burger business in Thailand
• Burger King’s business strategy
• The value of product and channel diversification
• Why flavor localization is crucial and
• Opportunities in plant-based burgers and the company’s plan for this product category.

By Rajeswari Ramanee – 28 September 2022
Meat producers are facing some of the toughest challenges currently with inflated production cost and prices. However, Dr Carmelo Ferlito of the economic think-tank Center for Market Education told Asian Agribiz that the problem started in 2020, when governments in the region implemented pandemic lockdowns.
His solutions included increasing productivity and producing efficiently, using austere measures and technology to safeguard consumer interests, to ensure purchasing ability is maintained.
Dr Carmelo Ferlito is an economist and a manager working and living in Malaysia since 2011. He is currently the CEO of the Center for Market Education and a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He is also a Research Advisor for Provalindo Nusa in Jakarta, Indonesia, and a Senior Fellow at the Property Rights Alliance in Washington, DC.

By Meliyana – 31 August 2022
A growing population and rising incomes are expected to double global demand for animal protein in the coming years. But climate change will likely affect output and derail supply.
In this podcast, Ageng Herianto, Assistant FAO Representative in Indonesia discusses the impact of climate change on animal production and FAO’s work on the issue.
According to Mr Herianto without collective actions and a proper program to respond to climate change, millions of people will go hungry, and livelihoods may be lost. Close collaboration with stakeholders at multiple levels will help minimize the negative impact on the livestock sector and ensure sufficient supply.

By Arief Fachrudin – 17 August 2022
No debate that taste, texture, and price are the main pain points of plant-based proteins that are currently available. However, healthiness and safety are also key factors.
In this podcast, Dr Diana Bogueva, Manager of the Centre for Advanced Food Engineering at the University of Sydney, Australia explains why healthiness and safety are important factors for the plant-based protein industry in designing the next generation of products.
Dr Bogueva, who was one of the speakers of Asian Agribiz’s Asian Meat Summit, also explains why plant-based products are a simple but powerful choice for consumers.

By Payungsak Wiriyabunditkul – 6 July 2022
Automation is on the rise in the meat and meat processing industry, with more companies in Asia investing in automated machines and solutions. While large multinational companies are investing heavily in technology to boost their productivity, smaller companies are not moving fast enough. Meanwhile, there are not enough professionals like veterinarians, animal husbandry workers and engineers who have knowledge of data analysis and technology. Hence, one of the major challenges facing the industry is technology education and digital upskilling.
In this podcast, Gordon Butland addresses:
• Automation and technology adoption in the meat industry
• Opportunities and challenges in adopting the technology
• Opportunities in online, direct-to-consumer protein sales
• Alternative protein market outlook
Gordon Butland is Director at G&S Agriconsultants.

Our comprehensive library of podcasts

By Payungsak Wiriyabunditkul – 21 June 2022
Alternative proteins, especially plant-based options, are gaining traction in Asia and particularly in Thailand. Plant-based options are becoming mainstream due to the rise in pandemic-related food safety, health, and sustainability concerns. Thai Union (TU) is one of the companies, which see opportunities in this arena. The company launched its plant-based ‘OMG meat’ brand last year, tapping consumer demand for alternative proteins. TU is optimistic about the prospect of this product category, but notes that it is crucial to improve the taste, texture, and nutritional value of plant-based proteins.
In this podcast, Maarten Geraets addresses:
• Business opportunities for plant-based proteins in Thailand and Asia.
• The main challenges in the plant-based proteins market.
• Price gap between meat and alternative proteins and its implications.
• Thai Union’s plan for plant-based proteins and the company’s open innovation model.
Maarten Geraets is Managing Director of Thai Union Group’s alternative proteins division.

By Zahrah Imtiaz – 26 April 2022
The last two years have seen crisis after crisis affect global meat supply chains. Asia which is home to some of the biggest meat producers as well as consumers have been forced to adapt to change fast, simply to keep afloat. Asian Agribiz talks to Christopher Omiecinski, Meat Sale Director for the Asia Pacific at Marel to understand the challenges as well as the opportunities ahead.
This podcast will touch on:
• latest trends in investments into meat processing plants
• short and long term impacts of continuous supply chain disruptions
• trends in the primary as well as further processing meat products market

By Arief Fachrudin – 12 April 2022
In this podcast, Asian Agribiz talks to Benny Chng of SGInnovate to get a venture capitalist’s perspective about technology adoption in the animal protein sector in the region. He discusses drivers of growing meat consumption, new technologies (precision farming, blockchain, black soldier fly larvae, and alternative proteins), and challenges in adopting the technologies.

Note: This podcast was recorded in January 2022 and Mr Chng was interviewed in his capacity as Assistant Director, Investments at SGInnovate. He has since moved on to another role.

By Ha Thu – 22 February 2022
The past two years have been tough for Asia’s livestock industry with many challenges resulting from the double scourge of ASF and Covid-19.
David John Whitehead, Chairman of Mavin Group, said the Group has survived thanks to many effective and creative solutions put in place during the pandemic.
However, he believes producers should learn from the challenges to prepare for the future, and adapt to the new trends that are driving the industry, such as consumer habits and environmental concerns.
Moving forward, he still has confidence in a positive future and progress for the animal protein industry.

By Payungsak Wiriyabunditkul – 18 January 2022
Food waste in the meat industry has substantial environmental and economic impacts. Estimates suggest that 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions are associated with food that is not consumed. Food waste is also a growing issue for producers and is one where decisions on production machinery can have a significant impact on overall efficiency.
In this podcast, Grant Parsons addresses:
• Food and meat waste issues in Asia amid the pandemic
• High technology equipment and packaging that reduce food waste
• Food waste management strategies
• How food waste reduction improves the company’s bottom line
Grant Parsons is APAC Leader – Protein Solutions, Primary & Secondary Processing at JBT.

By Isa Q Tan – 11 January 2022
The animal protein sector is said to contribute significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions and therefore, climate change. But it is also a key component of food security.
This is especially true in Southeast Asia, where challenges continue to hound the animal protein industries where both big and small players play a crucial role. Understandably, improving productivity and enhancing efficiencies are key goals in achieving sustainability. But at the same time, resilience in the face of changing environmental and climatic conditions is also critical to survival.
Forum for the Future, a global sustainability non-profit, is working to help bring about a balanced system in Southeast Asia that could address issues facing animal protein producers in the region.
In this podcast, Lesley Mitchell, Associate Director for Sustainable Nutrition at Forum for the Future, talks to Isa Q Tan about what, through its Animal Protein Southeast Asia challenge, the agency is doing to help achieve this.

By Rajeswari Ramanee – 4 January 2022
There is a new Asian consumer in the market, whose palate has changed thanks to education, awareness, and disposable incomes. These new eating behaviors are redirecting the food industry towards aspects such as nutritional and health values, food safety and traceability, together with animal welfare and sustainability.
Adjunct Professor at Northwestern University in the US and the President of Silvertip Management, Dave Donnan says producers have the capacity to steer the industry towards good food production practices according to changing consumer preferences. We captured these valuable insights in the podcast:
• Sustainability is not always at the forefront of purchasing decisions. Taste and price are key drivers of purchase decisions.
• Producers should offer consumers transparency through traceability and labelling.
• Purchasing and sourcing is shifting as producers/processors look for sustainable sources. The focus on commodity buying and cheapest source is shifting to reliable and quality supply.
• Nutritional value of food has become vital post-pandemic. Producers need to look at lean meats, less fat more protein and reformulate to win over health-conscious consumers.
• With e-commerce and the drive towards sustainability should be conscious of food waste and environment friendly packaging.
David Donnan is Adjunct Professor at Northwestern University and President of Silvertip Management. He has significant experience in the agriculture, food, and retail industries, having run companies, managed food plants and consulted to leading global retail and consumer product companies.

By Ha Thu – 19 October 2021
Higher shipping costs and longer delivery times have further fractured supply chains. Ports in Asia are congested amid logistics disruptions, container shortages, stringent checks and Covid-19 infections. Given this situation, some producers have tuned their focus to regional markets.
In this podcast, Rupert Claxton, a consultant discusses:
• Regional market potential in Asia
• Opportunities and challenges of the target markets
• The potential for regional trade
• Strategies to regain market share
• Future situation for the industry
Rupert Claxton is Meat Director at Gira. He has worked as a strategy consultant in the food sector since joining Gira in 2003, with a high level of specialization in global meat markets, especially in the developing world.

By Rajeswari Ramanee – 12 October 2021
The way poultry meat is purchased and consumed in Asia is changing. Prompted by the pandemic, the shift away from traditional live bird markets has been swift. Consumers are leaning towards convenience, food safety and health. This has led to greater technology adoption in primary processing. In this podcast on how the poultry processing landscape is evolving, Pete van Poorten, Meyn Global Food Processing Technology’s Global Product Manager and Mukanjay Singh, Meyn India’s Director highlight how:
• There is a paradigm shift with wet market purchase being quickly replaced by clean, hygienic, processed retail products. Food safety has taken precedence for consumers.
• The Covid-19 pandemic made both producers and processors realize the volatility of the poultry market. Whether it’s Covid or other avian influenza, stakeholders cannot afford ongoing price fluctuations, thus an efficient processing and storage set up is needed.
• Lockdowns raised labor issues, leading to more demand and adoption of automation to stem acute supply shortage.
• Rapid increase in demand due to population growth is imminent and the best way to move forward is by adopting technology, which can also help control production wastage while offering value to less popular cuts.
Mr van Poorten’s vast background as process technologist and quality manager at meat processing plants makes him an expert in optimizing automation in this sector. Meanwhile, Mr Mukanjay’s broad network in India and Sri Lanka gives him an edge in international management, market access, strategic alliances and business development.

By Meliyana – 23 August 2021
The duck industry in Asia has been growing in spots, in response to the ASF scourge in the pig industry. In China, official statistics show that duck production has increased faster than chickens. Of course, processing equipment suppliers see potential in primary and further processing.
Arjan Schrauwen offers Asian Agribiz’s community some insights into duck processing. He addresses:
• The potential in the duck processing business in Asia
• Investment in duck processing
• Obstacles in duck processing
•What the future holds for the industry
Arjan Schrauwen is Product Manager for duck and turkey at Marel. He worked for the poultry unit for 20 years, first as a specialist in broiler evisceration and in the last 10 years, as a specialist for duck and turkey processing.

Our comprehensive library of podcasts

By Arief Fachrudin – 19 July 2021
In this podcast, Jenny Tan, Sales Manager Asia Pacific at Provisur Technologies discusses:
• The ready meal trend in Asia prompted by pressures of the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Factors driving demand for growth and innovation in the ready meal space.
• Suggestions on how meat processors in the region can respond to the trend.
• Replicating the success of South Korea in traditional ready meal export.
• How processing equipment suppliers can help meat processors leverage the trend and innovate healthy and safe ready meals.

By Ha Thu – 13 July 2021
Asia is vulnerable to climate change and so is its agriculture industry. Still, it is at a stage where productivity rather than sustainability is key.
In this podcast, Siegfried Bank shares recent efforts made to tackle climate change challenge and greenhouse gas emission. He also discusses why livestock producers in Asia should take these issues into consideration, and what they could gain from doing so.
Dr Siegfried Bank is the owner of ChiPro GmbH, a German consulting and trading company focused on upcycling of food residues, value chain development and market access support for food and other life sciences products with sustainable origin.

By Zahrah Imtiaz – 21 June 2021
Asia is home to 58% of millennials globally, and so represents a dynamic and captive market. They represent an important consumer group, begging the question ‘how will their meat consumption decisions impact livestock processors and how should processors adapt to stay relevant?’
In this podcast we talk to Amy Brooks, Marketing Manager of Stockyard Beef, a leading Australian exporter of grain fed beef.
Amy discusses:
• How beef processors need to adapt to sustainable practices to appeal to millennial consumers
• Why processors need to tell a better story about meat in the current market.
• How lab grown and plant-based meats are here to stay, but that does not mean, meat has had its day.

By Payungsak Wiriyabunditkul – 8 June 2021
Asia is the world’s largest market for packaging, accounting for over 40% of global packaging consumption. The region’s packaging consumption has been driven by population growth, urbanization and a rising middle class. Perishable food packaging has seen significant growth in recent years. However, consumers today are concerned about sustainability amid rising packaging demand. Producers are trying to find solutions and meet this demand.
In this podcast, Onat Bayraktar addresses:
• The growth of online food purchasing and the need for omnichannel packaging
• A greater push towards healthy living and food safety and hygiene, accelerated by Covid-19
• Different interpretations of eco-friendly packaging
• The advantages and limitations of recyclable, plant-based, and biodegradable packaging materials
• The benefits of vacuum skin packaging and modified atmosphere packaging
Onat Bayraktar is Vice President, Asia at Sealed Air Corporation. In leading the business for Sealed Air in Asia, Mr Onat is responsible for managing the business as well as providing strategic direction for the region.

By Meliyana – 20 April 2021
What trends shape the meat processing industry? Ernest Tan discusses this with MELIYANA of Asian Agribiz and offers his thoughts on significant technological advancements and what may influence the animal protein industry in the near future. He addresses:
• Technologies adopted by the meat processing industry
• What kind of investments are needed to support these technologies
• How to boost development in cold chain infrastructure
• What the future holds for the animal protein industry
Ernest Tan leads the Agribusiness and Animal Protein sub-sectors within UOB’s Sector Solutions Group where he determines the strategic direction of these sectors for the Bank across its key markets as well as develops the bank’s value proposition for clients in these sectors.

By Ha Thu – 13 April 2021
Food safety is an emerging issue in Vietnam as there is an increasing number of violations like water pumping in pigs at slaughterhouses, or using banned substances at farms. Elsewhere, the increasing severity of livestock diseases and epidemics is challenging livestock producers and authorities in controlling the spread.
In this podcast, Dao Ha Trung discusses how blockchain technology has opened an avenue for disease control and food safety. He also talks about the internal control over an integrated production chain that helps companies improve their efficiency and food safety.
Dr Trung is President of Ho Chi Minh City High Technology Association, and Honorary Consul of the Republic of Austria. He is the Co-founder and Chairman of Te-Food International based in Germany. Today Te-Food is the world’s largest farm-to-table food traceability system based on blockchain technology.</