Market Trends of Asia-Pacific Fermented Ingredient Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the APAC Fermented Ingredient Market according to our research experts:
Increasing Application of Vitamins in the Southern Asian Countries
There has been a considerable shift in the lifestyles and diet habits of people over the past two decades, particularly in the South Asian Region. Urbanization and consumerism drove this shift, leading to a rapid rise in the consumption of artificial and synthetic food products, which has resulted in an increased incidence of lifestyle diseases. Thus, people are becoming aware of these problems and gradually moving toward functional foods and beverages enriched with vitamins and other minerals, which are promoted as beneficial basic nutrition. These products are reported to provide optimal nutrition and reduce the risk of disease occurrence. Thus, increasing the market for fermented ingredients in the country.
Moreover, various government initiatives are being taken, in order to increase the consumption of fortified food and beverages, especially in developing countries, like China and India, thereby driving the market further. For instance:
- Promotion of fortified foods by China's Ministry of Health, coupled with growing health concerns related to age, myopia in adults, and other diseases, is expected to drive the market studied.
- Similarly, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) have identified food fortification as one of the strategies to reduce the prevalence of malnutrition, particularly in the underdeveloped countries.
Increasing Preference for Fermented Food and Beverage in the Region
The popularity of packaged fermented drinks remains attributed to its perceived health benefits is increasing the application of fermented ingredients in the Asia-Pacific region. For instance, enriched with organic acids, kombucha exhibits a significant antimicrobial activity and may be utilized for many therapeutic applications, which is expected to boost the market growth further in countries like China. Moreover, fermented products, like Kombucha (fermented green tea, black tea), have a long history in the country, popularly known for their detoxifying and energizing properties.
In India, the fermented foods are largely consumed by the local population, not just as a diet but as traditional medicine too. Many of the foods were observed to have beneficial effects during ailment by the local people and they are used as a special diet or medicine, which is driving the demand of fermented food ingredients in the country.
