Wine imports are drying up in China

21-Sep-2020 By Natalie Wang

Despite successfully containing the coronavirus spread within mainland China, China’s wine consumption has yet to bounce back to pre-covid level, with imports still sliding in both volume and value for the first seven months of the year.

Absolut trials paper bottle prototype

08-Sep-2020 By Rachel Arthur

Absolut will start trialling a paper bottle prototype in the UK and Sweden: aiming to ‘turn the spirits industry upside down with packaging that invokes real and long-lasting behavioral change’.

What does China really want from anti-dumping probe into Australian wine?

26-August-2020 By Natalie Wang

Much has been said about China’s shocking announcement to launch an anti-dumping probe into Australian wines. Most argue that the probe has to do with China-Australia’s rapidly deteriorating relations since the outbreak of coronavirus.

Hemp-based meat: New Zealand firm eyes 2021 launch for minimally processed, sustainable new product

25-August-2020 By Pearly Neo

New Zealand alternative protein firm Sustainable Foods is planning a 2021 launch for its hemp-based meat analogues, which will be made will locally-grown hemp and processed using a private hydroelectric power plant.

Reimagining European restaurants for the next normal

5-August-2020 By Hamza, Khan Franck Laizet, Franck Laizet

European restaurants are reopening amid challenging conditions such as infection waves, mandated reductions in seating capacity, and consumer safety concerns.

China’s global ‘colonization’ of vineyards

31-July-2020 By Natalie Wang

China’s thirst for wine has propped up a multi-billion domestic wine market. It has also taken deep-pocketed investors to snatch up vineyards worldwide to quench their thirst for wine and prestige. 

China and EU to sign ‘landmark’ Geographical Indication agreement to protect European wines

29-July-2020 By Natalie Wang

China and the EU have moved a step closer to sign the landmark EU-China Geographical Indication agreement that will protect 100 geographically identified EU products with majority being European wines and spirits after 10 years of negotiations.

Gap between Chinese wine and imported wine consumption is narrowing

23-July-2020 By Natalie Wang

For a long time, it’s believed Chinese wine is dominating the domestic wine market in China, responsible for at least 70% of wines consumed, mainly from the country’s two biggest producers, Changyu Pioneer Wine Company and GreatWall. 

China’s tightened organic focus: Grapes and vegetables top list for mandatory contaminant tests

22-July-2020 By Pearly Neo

The six guideline draft documents covered the sectors of fruits, vegetables, teas, medicinal plants, dairy products, and meat, and were released last month seeking public opinion by July 31.

Two Asian wineries made onto World’s Best Vineyards list

16-July-2020 By Natalie Wang

The World’s Best Vineyards for 2020 have been revealed, and two Asian wineries made onto the top 50 list, which is populated with European and South American names.

Diageo to bring paper Johnnie Walker bottle to market

13-July-2020 By Ruth Hogan

Multinational alcohol company Diageo has created a paper-based spirits bottle, made entirely from sustainably sourced wood.

A 6-litre DRC leads Sotheby’s Hong Kong auction

8-JuLY-2020 By Natalie Wang

One 6-litre Methuselah of DRC Romanée-Conti 1999 doubled its previous estimate and was sold for over HK$2.1 million (US$272,100), as part of the Sotheby’s three-day wine auction that saw fierce bidding and stunning results.

What Are China’s New Market Demands After COVID-19?

28-June-2020 By Adina-Laura Achim

JD.com executives discussed post-COVID-19 market trends, and the company’s consumer knowledge reinforced the belief that shoppers now have different needs.

Paper wine bottle launched with 84% lower carbon footprint

1-July-2020 By  Phoebe French

British sustainable packaging company Frugalpac has launched a wine bottle made from 94% recycled paperboard, which it said has a carbon footprint 84% less than that of glass.

7 Days of Prosecco: What Do Prosecco DOC and DOCG Labels Mean?

23-June-2020 By  Edith Hancock

Patrick Schmitt MW talks you through Italy’s key Prosecco making regions, and how the wines are labelled.

Alcohol labelling is ‘limited’ and falls short of recommendations, says WHO

15-June-2020 By  Rachel Arthur

The labelling of alcoholic beverages with consumer information such as ingredients, nutritional values and potential harm from alcohol is ‘not consistent or even considered’ in many countries in Europe, according to a report from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Annual Italian Wine Celebration in HK postponed to 2021

15-June-2020 By  Natalie Wang

The annual Italian Wine Celebration which is normally scheduled for November in Hong Kong has been postponed to next year, the organizer has announced.

Nielsen: frequent drinkers in China fuel consumption during lockdown

31-May-2020 By  Natalie Wang

Frequent drinkers in China increased spending during the lockdown months, while occasional drinkers dialed back on alcohol consumption, a new report by consumer data giant Nielsen has found. 

China’s biggest winery calls for removal of consumer tax on wine

27-May-2020 By  Natalie Wang

China’s biggest and oldest winery, Changyu Pioneer Wine Company, is calling for the removal of consumer tax on wines to boost the country’s domestic wine consumption. 

Donnafugata Releases Dolce e Gabbana Rosé

20-May-2020 By  Lucy Shaw

With rosé sales surging during lockdown, Italian fashion house Dolce & Gabbana has joined the party, designing the label for a new Sicilian rosé by Donnafugata.

Hk Wine Importers Call For Government Support

14-May-2020 By Alice Liang

​While much awareness has been given to the downturn of business in local restaurants and bars during Covid-19, Hong Kong wine importers are calling for support from the government.

New market potential: Huge growth opportunities for infant formula in China’s lower tier cities

11-May-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

A combination of a focus on lower-tier markets and innovative marketing strategies can substantially grow sales of maternal and infant nutrition products, according to Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com.

‘A different level of complexity’: Meat alternative start-up mimics fibrous texture of pork whole-muscle cuts

07-May-2020 By  Flora Southey

Barcelona-based Novameat has entered the pork alternative space with a 3D printed plant-based pork muscle cut. “The alternative meat industry is moving beyond ground meat analogues,” CEO Giuseppe Scionti tells FoodNavigator.

‘A different level of complexity’: Meat alternative start-up mimics fibrous texture of pork whole-muscle cuts

06-May-2020 By Nick Leung, Joe Ngai, Jeongmin Seong, Jonathan Woetzel

Events expected to play out in the Chinese economy over the next several years have been compressed into a short few months.

CBD in Australia: Industry body calls for monograph adoption to aid supplement use

06-May-2020 By  Tingmin Koe

Supplements containing cannabidiol (CBD) should be made available in health foods stores in Australia, trade body Complementary Medicines Australia (CMA) has said as the country’s regulator reviews existing rules.

Italy’s Restaurants Rise Up Against Social Distancing

27-April-2020 By  Patrick Schmitt

​As many as 75,000 restaurants, bars and clubs in Italy have united in protest at post lockdown social distancing measures that could cause the closure of half the businesses in the country’s hospitality sector.

Alain Ducasse Says It's Safer to Eat in Restaurants Than at Home

27-April-2020 By Phoebe French

French chef Alain Ducasse believes that eating at home and shopping for your food poses a greater risk to health than dining at restaurants.

Re-energizing through the epidemic: Stories from China

April-2020 By Lihong Pan, Bernie Yang, Tianwen Yu and Haimeng Zhang

A survey of China-based executives sheds light on the personal impact of working through the COVID-19 crisis.

​140-year-old Chinese liquor brand Rong Tai He Moutai in midst of first export push

20-April-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Chinese’s premium baijiu brand Rong Tai He Moutai (RTH) Maotaijiu is planning to expand into Japan, South Korea, ASEAN and the US with its high-end spirit this year.

Evian goes carbon neutral: 'The current health crisis provides renewed impetus to do more and create long-lasting change'

20-April-2020 By Rachel Arthur

Danone natural mineral water brand evian has obtained global certification for becoming carbon neutral: the result of ‘years of ambitious reductions at every stage of the product life cycle’.

Tuscan winery experiments with Georgian grapes to fight climate change

14-April-2020 By Edith Hancock

Italian wine estate Castello Banfi is planting unusual grape varieties in Tuscany to see what could thrive as climate change brings intense heat and higher rainfall to the region.

Restaurants and bars in China resume business

12-April-2020 By Natalie Wang

Restaurants and bars in China are cautiously resuming services, as the country emerges from a two-month lockdown, with what’s estimated that 80% of catering business are resuming its normal operation, according to the country’s Ministry of Commerce.

Champagne sets new turnover record surpassing €5bn in 2019

8-April-2020 By Patrick Schmitt

While it has understandably slipped below the radar due to the dramatic impact of the coronavirus crisis on Champagne sales since March, the region set a new record in turnover in 2019, surpassing €5 billion for the first time.

How China’s food delivery industry became backbone of coronavirus fight

8-April-2020 By Jane Cai

The Chinese food delivery infrastructure had been well developed prior to the coronavirus. The public health crisis showed what it could do at peak demand.

​Alcohol-free: Could CBD help ‘bridge the gap’ for sceptics?

3-April-2020 By Flora Southey

For many, alcohol-free beer or spirits doesn’t ‘feel’ quite right, according to YesMore account director Lolly Watkins. Does CBD have the potential to remedy this issue for consumers?

Six months after legalization, Canada’s cannabis edibles market is stalled: ‘We’re just at the beginning of professionalizing this industry’

3-April-2020 By Beth Newhart

The cannabis drug was federally legalized in Canada in 2018, and edibles in 2019, but the market has so far been slow to take off. Brands struggle with product preservation and are looking for more guidance from Health Canada.

China reports sharpest wine sales decline during outbreak

2-April-2020 By Natalie Wang

The first set of official figures released by China’s alcoholic drinks trade body confirmed what everyone was fearing that the country’s nationwide wine sales are taking a nose-dive during the COVID-19 outbreak, with some fearing the worst is yet to come.

Major food shortages possible in Asia says FIA

30-Mar-2020 By Jim Cornall

In light of the increasing number of nationwide lockdowns and border restrictions, Food Industry Asia (FIA) and the ASEAN Food and Beverage Alliance (AFBA), the regional associations representing Asia and ASEAN’s food and beverage (F&B) industries respectively, are jointly calling upon governments across the region to ensure the unhindered production and supply of food and beverages as each country tries to contain the outbreak of COVID-19.

Hong Kong scraps controversial alcohol ban

30-Mar-2020 By Natalie Wang

Hong Kong’s top leader has scrapped the controversial alcohol ban in restaurants, bars and clubs after it draws fierce public backlash.

Entrepreneurs knuckle down to keep their start-ups thriving: ‘It's all hands on deck!'

26-Mar-2020 By Rachel Arthur

The coronavirus crisis is a massive blow to many small businesses. But some start-ups have quickly adjusted to the new reality: ramping up online sales or swiftly making new marketing strategies. We talk to four entrepreneurs who may have had to throw their 2020 business plans out of the window – but are keeping their chins up just the same.

Beverage gives back: How brands are helping out during the coronavirus crisis

25-Mar-2020 By Beth Newhart and Rachel Arthur

As the coronavirus outbreak continues to spread, beverage brands are donating their money, time and products to keep their communities afloat in uncertain times. Here's just some of the initiatives that have emerged this week.

Health void: Just 16% of India’s products classified as ‘healthy’ with local firms leading the way

16-Mar-2020 By Pearly Neo

Local F&B companies in India such as Mother Dairy and Parle Products appear to have come out on top in terms of product healthiness in a new listing – but overall, just 16% of all companies’ products have been recognised as ‘healthy’ items in the country.

Could coronavirus hasten high times for CBD?

13-Mar-2020 By Oliver Morrison

We've seen a run on toilet rolls, hand sanitizer and pasta. What about other foods and ingredients? Which might be set to be boosted by coronavirus?

Pernod Ricard invests in Italicus

12-Mar-2020 By Lucy Shaw

French drinks giant Pernod Ricard has added Italicus – an Italian bergamot-infused aperitivo brand aimed at the on-trade – to its portfolio for an undisclosed sum.

Water bottle made from 100% plant materials hits the Middle East

06-Mar-2020 By Beth Newhart

The Al Ain Plant Bottle from Agthia Group PJSC is the region's first plant-based water bottle. It is biodegradable and compostable within 80 days and is part of the company’s broader sustainability initiatives.

DANONE’S €2BN CLIMATE-SMART INNOVATION INVESTMENT: ‘OUR BRANDS WILL BE STRONGER IF CLIMATE IS AN ALLY, NOT AN ENEMY’

27-Feb-2020 By Katy Askew

French dairy-to-waters giant Danone has unveiled plans to invest €2bn in climate smart innovation between 2020 and 2022.

MICROALGAE FOR FOOD: DENMARK BACKS ‘ULTRA-SUSTAINABLE’ PROTEIN SOURCE FOR NEW INGREDIENT

24-Feb-2020 By Flora Southey

A public-private collaboration aimed at developing a high-protein, plant-based ingredient for food manufacturers has received backing from the Danish government.

‘I’M STILL GOOD’: LIDL INTRODUCES 50% OFF BOX SCHEME TO CUT FOOD WASTE IN-STORE

19-Feb-2020 By Flora Southey

Lidl Germany is introducing a new food waste strategy in-store using boxes alerting consumers their contents are half-price and ‘still good’.

CHINA INFANT FOOD STANDARDS: AUTHORITIES SEEK PUBLIC CONSULTATION FOR NEW SAFETY RULES

19-Feb-2019 By Tingmin Koe

The Chinese authorities are conducting a public consultation for the new food safety standards that it has drafted for a number of food items, including liquid infant formula, infant formula powder, and infant food.

GRIEG SEAFOOD ON ‘DIVING’ INTO THE OCEAN TO FEED GROWING POPULATIONS

19-Feb-2019 By Flora Southey

With the global population estimated to reach 8.6bn in the next 20 years, the salmon farming company recommends we ‘dive’ into the ocean to boost food production. FoodNavigator visits Grieg Seafood in Norway to find out how this can be done sustainably.

HOW THE CORONAVIRUS IS AFFECTING THE DRINKS INDUSTRY

14-Feb-2020 By Ron Emler

The drinks sector is one of the hardest hit by the coronavirus (Covid-19), with China accounting for some 35% of global luxury goods sales. db analyses the impact of the outbreak.

JD REPORTS SURGE IN FRESH FOOD ORDERS IN CHINA DURING CHINESE NEW YEAR AND CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK

12-Feb-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

China e-commerce giants JD say they have seen sales of fresh foods, especially vegetables, increase both online and offline during the Chinese New Year period and during the Wuhan Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak.

‘TOTALLY CATASTROPHIC’: CHINA’S CORONAVIRUS CRISIS SEES GLOBAL F&B AUTHORITIES REACT WITH VARYING DEGREES OF CAUTION

12-Feb-2020 By Pearly Neo

The Chinese authorities have approved new e-commerce rules, withThe recent coronavirus outbreak originating from animals in China has seen food and beverage authorities and industries worldwide taking steps to prevent spreading or ‘importing’ the virus into their countries – some more aggressively than others. lawmakers now calling for a 'complete regulatory system' to also cover cross-border transactions.

DANONE INVESTS IN FOOD WASTE START-UP PHENIX: ‘WE CAN REINVENT TOMORROW’S FOOD SYSTEM’

11-Feb-2020 By Katy Askew

Danone Manifesto Ventures is investing in French waste reduction start-up Phenix in a move that will see the food waste pioneer expand its consumer and business-to-business reach.

CHINA’S BIGGEST WINE FAIR POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK

05-Feb-2020 By Natalie Wang

The Chengdu wine and spirits fair, the biggest trade fair for alcoholic beverage inside mainland China, has been postponed, the organiser has announced, due to the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus that has now sickened over 24,000 and killed 490 in China.

HOW WILL THE CORONAVIRUS AFFECT CHINA’S WINE INDUSTRY?

10-Feb-2020 By Natalie Wang

For many wine merchants hoping for a recovery in 2020 after sales slump in 2019, the hope is completely dashed, as the whole country’s economic growth is expected to be undercut significantly by the deadly coronavirus.

Nebiolo, Italy

​2020-Feb-09 By Enson

When it mention about Italian wines, you always think of the double B, Barolo and barbaresco in Piemonte, northern Italy, and the Nebbiolo Nebbiolo grape used to make double B, which is particularly suitable for growing in the double B region. Moreover, it can show different flavors in different climates and terroires, making it hard for lovers to extricate themselves.

FINE WINE DECLINE CONTINUES

IN EARLY 2020

04-Feb-2020 by Rupert Millar

The Liv-ex Fine Wine 100 registered another small decrease in January as the secondary market began the year with a less than rousing start.

RESEARCH FINDS GLUTEN-FREE SNACKS ARE HIGH IN FAT AND SUGAR ‘LIKE OTHER TREAT FOODS’

03-Feb-2020 By Gill Hyslop

A report from Irish consumer advocacy group safefood reveals that most gluten-free snack products analysed had calorie levels similar to a standard chocolate bar.

HEMP IN NZ: $100,000 FUND TO ASSESS FOOD AND BEVERAGE COMMERCIALISATION PROSPECTS

30-Jan-2020 By Gary Scattergood

New Zealand’s Movers in Hemp Innovation (MIHI) has received a $100,000 Māori Food & Beverage Development Grant from the High-Value Nutrition (HVN) National Science

ASIA’S FIRST CBD BEER LAUNCHED IN HONG KONG

24-Jan-2020 By Alice Liang

The CBD industry is booming in a lot of countries around the world, yet the movement in Asia is not as hot. Nevertheless, a new craft beer brewery in Hong Kong has created the first CBD-infused beer in the region.

HORSEMEAT SCAM SHOWS WEAK LINKS IN FOOD CHAIN: ‘TRACEABILITY, CONTROLS, SANCTIONS AND TRANSPARENCY MUST BE IMPROVED’

22-Jan-2020 By Katy Askew

Europol revealed details of arrests made in Spain this week over a fresh horsemeat scam. But rather than feeling reassured, observers suggest this is further evidence of systemic weaknesses in the food chain that are exploited by criminal elements.

FEEDING THE WORLD WITHOUT WRECKING THE PLANET: ‘THERE’S A LOT OF REASON TO WORRY BUT ALSO REASON FOR HOPE’

21-Jan-2020 By Katy Askew

A technical and socio-cultural U-turn will be needed to feed ten billion people within the planet’s environmental boundaries, according to a new five-year study. “There’s a lot of reason to worry, but also reason for hope,” lead author Dieter Gerten says.

CBD:TRENDING INGREDIENT OR INGREDIENT TREND?

17-Jan-2020 By Katy Askew

CBD has caught the public's imagination as an ingredient offering a host of health benefits. But for all the hype, CBD also courts controversy. To move from a trending ingredient to an ingredient trend, the sector will need to overcome the complex global regulatory landscape, quality and supply challenges and questions around the scientific basis of health associations.

AGRICULTURE BILL: UK TO REWARD FARMERS FOR CLEAN AIR, SOILS AND WATER

17-Jan-2020 By Flora Southey

The UK’s first domestic agricultural policy in more than 70 years addresses food security and food safety, alongside clean air, soils and water.

TWO NEW WINE DEGREE

COURSES LAUNCHED

13-Jan-2020 By Phoebe French

Two new wine degree programmes have been launched this year, one offered by the Sonoma State University and the other by NEOMA Business School in France.