SIAL China’s weekly snapshot of the global food and beverage industry

Europe: Tomatoes most popular vegetable - bananas most-loved fruit

Have you ever wondered what the most popular vegetables and fruits are? A Dutch IT company, Roamler, may have the answer. After surveying over 2,000 Europeans, the company has found that in Europe, tomatoes are the most consumed vegetable while bananas are the most popular fruit. Furthermore, the survey has found that more than 60-percent of Europeans view a nice piece of fruit is the ideal snack, and up to a quarter of Europeans consume at least one avocado per week. [Full article]

China rejigs food watchdogs

Recent structural changes within China's food agencies and ministries have resulted in the creation of a new State Administration of Market Supervision (SAMS) agency, that will absorb the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA), while assuming the domestic industry controls previously overseen by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine (GAQSIQ). At the same time, the Ministry of Agriculture has been further strengthened by the formation of the Agricultural and Rural Affairs Ministry (ARAM), which will help to promote growth in rural China, as well as supervise agricultural food safety and agribusiness investment management. In turn, China Customs will take over inspection and the quarantine of imported products. [Full article]

U.S. wine exports to China rise 10 pct in 2017

Figures released this month show that U.S. wine exports to China have risen 10-percent since last year, pushing the export value to China to over USD 210 million in 1017. This growth has been driven by a two-and-a-half times increase in consumption in the last 5-years in mainland China, which is expected to continue to grow. Currently, the Chinese Mainland ranks fifth in terms of markets for California wines, which account for 97-percent of U.S. wine exports. [Full article]

China's soybean imports 'to hit 100m tonnes' in 2018-19 for first time

Continuing the trend of domestic consumption outpacing production, the USDA's Beijing bureau forecasts a 3 million tonne increase in soybean imports in China, up from a record 97 million tonnes this current season. While US exports to China are anticipating growth because of this, new competition for this market has opened with countries like Brazil poised to compete. Especially important, as domestic production dropped to 14.3 million tonnes this year due to market factors and stagnant productivity. Similarly, Rapeseed imports are forecasted at 4.70 million tonnes next year, in part due to environmental conditions, market trends, and external pressure. A recent agreement with Canada, the top exporter of rapeseed oil to China, has helped to bolster import quantities. [Full article]

Europe’s i3-food project reveals innovations set to enhance food production methods

Recently unveiled technology from a European collaboration has the potential to improve current food safety, shelf life, and taste for consumers. Innovations such as Pulsed Electric Field Preservation (PEF-P), High Pressure Thermal Sterilization (HPTS) and Low Shear Extrusion (LS-Extrusion) could be applied to industrial food production, however, their current application is still limited. HPTS has the capability to improve heat pasteurization and allow otherwise chilled foods to stay at room temperature. These technologies could provide manufacturers with new opportunities. [Full article]

SIAL China, Asia’s largest food innovation exhibition, is held annually in Shanghai from May 16 to May 18. For more information, go to www.SIALChina.com, or contact us at: [email protected]