Report predicts sweet success for confectionery makers

The future of the domestic confectionery market is positive, reported the Business Monitor International (BMI).
The future of the domestic confectionery market is positive, reported the Business Monitor International (BMI).

Accordingto the BMI Vietnam Food and Drink report for the second quarter 2014,the local confectionery revenue is expected to gain a year-on-yearincrease of 10.65 percent to 27.27 trillion VND (1.3 billion USD) forthis year.

A year-on-year surge between 9.3 percent and 10.6percent has been forecast for the revenue from 2015 to 2018. That wouldbring in between 30.15 trillion VND (1.4 billion USD) and 39.88 trillionVND (1.9 billion USD).

"The long-term outlook for the Vietnamese confectionery market is positive," said BMI.

Factorssuch as rising purchasing power, favourable demographics, growinghealth awareness and continued investments in the sector will supportconfectionery demand, especially with regard to chocolates, it said.

Itsaid local chocolate revenues are expected to gain a year-on-yearincrease of 11.88 percent to 4.54 trillion VND (215.2 million USD) forthis year.

The revenue is forecast to have a year-on-year surgeof 12 to 13 percent for each year from 2015 to 2018, which is 5 to 7.3trillion VND (237-346 million USD).

More personal wealth islikely to translate into a greater discretionary appetite for premiumconfectionery products. As an increasing number of domesticconfectioners expand their upmarket product ranges, it is likely tobolster value sales growth over the coming years.

The BMI said51.9 percent of the Vietnamese population is estimated to be youngerthan 30, and the maturing of this demographic group means that there aredynamic opportunities in the mass market. Moreover, this demographicgroup is generally more receptive to Western cultures and will give animpetus to confectionery products.

Health awareness is prompting shifts of consumption habits towards functional and healthy confectionery products.

Capitalisingon the growing trend, domestic confectioners such as Tan Tan Food &Foodstuff and Vina Mit are expanding their functional productofferings.

Regarding investments in the local confectionerysector, BMI said sustained competition levels in the Vietnameseconfectionery sector have ensured that dynamism in the market isunlikely to cool off any time soon.

Nabati Indonesia, a leadingIndonesian biscuit producer, recently announced plans to startdistribution of its biscuit products in Vietnam - a testament to theattractiveness of the sector. Meanwhile, domestic confectioners such asKinh Do are expected to continue to invest in broadening their productranges and expanding their distribution channels.

"Investment inVietnam's ingredients sector chimes with our favourable outlook for thecountry's food and drink market," the BMI said.

Belgianingredients firm Puratos, which manufactures products for the baking andconfectionery sector, announced in autumn 2012 that it will team upwith fellow Belgian firm Grand-Place Holding, which produces chocolateingredients, to set up a joint venture in Vietnam.

The two firmswill hold a respective 70-30 stake in the new venture and will invest 10million USD in the operation over the next five years.

As ofnow, domestic confectionery firms hold 70 percent of the local marketshares. These include Kinh Do, Hai Ha and Bibica along with North KinhDo, Huu Nghi, Pham Nguyen, Duc Phat and other small private producers.Meanwhile, imported confectionery products have accounted for 30 percentof the local market.-VNA

See more

Industrial factories in Tan Uyen city, the southern province of Binh Duong (Photo: VNA)

Investors upbeat about Vietnam’s industrial property market

Investors are bullish on Vietnam's industrial property market growth on the back of the nation's strategic location, sound infrastructure, and increasing demand for industrial space, particularly industrial parks that meet green standards, according to market research.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium and head of the Vietnamese Delegation to the EU Nguyen Van Thao addresses the forum (Photo: VNA)

Forum connects Vietnamese, Belgian busineses

The Vietnam-Belgian business forum took place in Brussels on October 23, offering a chance for enterprises of the two countries to introduce their products and explore new cooperation opportunities.

The expos cover over 6,000 sq.m, drawing over 210 exhibitors from 10 countries and territories. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi hosts textile & garment, fabric garment accessories expos

The Vietnam Hanoi Textile & Garment Industry and Fabric Garment Accessories Expos 2024 (HanoiTex & HanoiFabric 2024) is taking place in Hanoi on October 23 – 25 as part of a series of international exhibitions on Vietnam's textile and garment industry.

Representatives from Vietnamese and Lao agencies, localities and businesses at the opening ceremony of the Vietnam-Laos trade fair 2024 in Xiengkhouang province. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Laos step up trade, tourism promotion

A Vietnam-Laos trade fair was kicked off in Phonsavanh township in Xiengkhouang province of Laos on October 23 as part of activities to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the traditional day of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts in Laos (October 30, 1949 – 2024).

Illustrative photo (Photo: chinhphu.vn)

Vietnamese goods enter US through global supply chain

The Saigon Co.op Distribution Company Limited (SCD) - a member of the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Trade Cooperatives (Saigon Co.op), and STC Natural Vina Company on October 23 held a hand-over ceremony for goods that will be exported to the US.

Vietnam’s lobsters have clawed their way back onto Chinese menus after a suspension. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam’s lobsters claw back prominence in China

Vietnam’s lobster export to the Chinese market in January-September rose 33 folds year-on-year on the back of lower prices and stronger trade ties between the two nations, the South China Morning Post said on October 22.