Japanese Product Innovation Series Market Report: Review of New Food and Beverage Products - July 2008 issue

Introduction

A periodical round up of food and beverage market development and new product launches across sectors from Japan.

Scope

• The information used in this analysis includes data from government bodies, local trade associations, trade press and Productscan Online.
• The analysis of household expenditure on food and beverages reveals the top spending product categories and sectors with strong growth.
• Based on new products reported between April and July 2008, popular flavors, key ingredients and trendy products are identified.

Highlights

An average Japanese household spent more on fruit, meat, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages in 2007 compared with 2006. Continued rising cost of food and concern over health are the focus of market development in 2008.

Mango and matcha [powdered green tea] are among the most popular flavors. Vitamins, calcium and amino acids are trendy functional ingredients. Products with zero / low content of calories, carbohydrate and sugars are on the rise, and those encouraging intake of vegetables or containing vegetables as ingredients are fashionable.

Several new product ideas are generated through combining existing product elements. The color of natural ingredients are featured as a selling point among many products. Ethical products with eco packaging or organic / certified source of environmentally friendly ingredients are also more prevalent.

Reasons to Purchase

• This brief covers analysis of Japanese household expenditure on food and beverages.
• It contains trends of product development across sectors including soft drinks, confectionery, ready meals, functional products, and alcoholic drinks.
• It also covers key product developments from leading manufacturers in the market.