Asia Pacific

The use of cash continues to lose out to electronic direct/ACH and card payments in the Asia Pacific region, although paper transactions still remain important in some countries. Digital wallets continue gaining in popularity due to their…

The growth of convenient Western breakfasts such as bread, buns, and breakfast cereals in India has emerged as a pivotal driver for the rising popularity of sweet spreads, including chocolate spreads, jams, and nut and seed based spreads. The…

In line with increasing at-home entertainment options, the frequency of snacking and consuming small meals has increased, thereby benefiting sauces, dips and condiments in India. According to Euromonitor International’s Voice of the Consumer:…

The per capita consumption of ready meals in India in 2023 remained fairly low compared to the average in Asia Pacific. This modest figure can be attributed to limited market penetration and association of limited consumption occasions. Ready meals…

Retail volume sales of edible oils in India suffered in 2021 and the first half of 2022 due to disrupted global supply chains and high global inflation. Since India imports more than 50% of its edible oil requirements, there were spikes in retail…

In 2023, retail value sales of cooking ingredients and meals in India displayed high growth following the stabilisation of edible oils, the high value growth of ready meals, and a stable performance by mature categories such as sauce, dips and…

Consumer lending is growing at a healthy pace in India, driven by evolving lifestyle preferences where consumers strive for a higher standard of living and access to modern amenities. The country’s growing economy, rising disposable incomes, and…

In 2023, card lending - driven by increasing credit card adoption in India - remained the dominant category within consumer credit in gross lending terms. The adoption of credit cards further increased during the year, primarily as consumers’…

Vegetables in Thailand saw a notable and sustained increase in unit prices throughout 2022 and 2023, primarily attributed to the combined impact of drought and severe flooding. Drought conditions have resulted in reduced water availability for…

Hikes in production costs have pushed up prices of sugar and sweeteners in Thailand. Retail prices rose throughout 2023, continuing a trend that began at the outbreak of COVID-19. Thailand's farmers and agricultural producers were threatened by the…

The unit prices of starchy roots increased significantly throughout 2022 and 2023 due to constant rises in the costs of production and unfavourable weather conditions throughout the year. Like other fresh food categories, the farming and production…

The price of soybeans has seen a continuous surge since 2020 in response to persistently rising demand, with domestic output declining during the latter years of the review period. The retail consumption of soybeans and other soybean byproducts, such…

The price of coconuts continued to fall in 2023, with domestic demand yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels. Coconuts, as well as foods and beverages with coconuts as an ingredient, are popular among both local consumers and tourists. With the…

As the pandemic and its impact on lifestyles continued to recede 2023, with local consumers resuming pre-coronavirus patterns and habits, meat consumption rose considerably, with beef benefitting from increased consumer spending on dining out and the…

As seen in other fresh food categories, fruits in Thailand has been subject to steep surges in unit prices in response to rising production costs and unpredictable fluctuations in weather conditions. The war in Ukraine has disrupted the supply chain…

In 2023 fresh food consumption in Thailand saw an uptick, with several foods benefitting considerably from amplified focus on protein consumption as well as from broader health and wellness trends. Rising awareness of the importance of healthy habits…

2023 saw unit prices in fish and seafood in Thailand rise substantially, thanks mainly to persistent price hikes in fuel and energy. As these costs kept climbing, they directly impacted fishing operations, processing, transportation and storage, and…

Overall egg consumption in Thailand continued along its upward trajectory in 2023. Recognising the nutritional benefits of eggs, the government has been actively promoting egg consumption among the local population. The Ministry of Public Health has…

Asia Pacific’s population is set to expand in 2021-2040, driven by positive, yet declining, rates of natural change. The ageing trend is set to accelerate, impacting consumer trends, though the region will remain relatively young in terms of its…

Street stalls/kiosks continued to experience buoyant growth in current value terms in 2023. Sales were boosted by an increase in foot traffic in shopping malls, where a high number of chained outlets are located. Standalone stalls also benefited from…