photo: A display of CP Group processed chicken products in a supermarket freezer

Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group), a Thailand-based multinational corporation, has purchased a majority share in Norfolk Foods, a Sri Lanka-British joint venture processor and distributor, for a range of breaded chicken products, deli meats, and processed chicken and meat products. According to local media, the CP Group has agreed to purchase a combined 80 per cent share from Norfolk Foods’ parent company and from Habeeb Mohamed Ziauddin and Hamzathul Zareeha Ziauddin, who are its founder and director.

The CP Group is one of Asia’s largest poultry integrated corporations with extensive investment and trading interests in over 16 countries. The takeover of the Sri Lankan company offers excellent synergy for both companies as the CP Group has long established expertise in animal husbandry, animal feed, poultry production, processing and distribution. The CP Group is also well noted for its vast research and product development in processed poultry, seafood and meats.

Having manufacturing facilities in Sri Lanka provides the opportunity of market access to two large markets, India and Pakistan. Currently, Sri Lanka has free trade agreements with India and Pakistan, allowing duty-free access for the exports of a wide range of products to each other’s market.

photo: Containers at the Port of Singapore

The opening of the new Panama Canal expansion may spell lower container shipment traffic for Singapore as East-Asian bound containers loaded onto larger container vessels from the U.S. East Coast (USEC) no longer need to go through Europe and the Suez Canal. It is reported that up to four out of nine Suez services plying the sea route between Asia and the USEC may switch to the newly expanded Panama Canal. Currently, there are 23 weekly services plying between Asia and USEC, 14 through the Panama Canal and nine via the Suez Canal. Containers that are ultimately destined for the markets of Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong need not call at the port of Singapore if shipping services from the USEC are diverted through the Panama Canal, which is now capable of handling neo-Panamax ships carrying 14,000 TEUs (20 foot equivalent units) as compared to the previous constraint of Panamax-sized vessels carrying only 4,500 TEUs.

Singapore is ranked second globally after Shanghai for having handled the largest volume of container traffic. In 2015, Singapore handled a total 30.9 million TEUs. One beneficiary of the expansion of the Panama Canal is Brazil, which is one of the largest exporters of agricultural products. Currently, the sailing time for vessels from Brazil to Singapore via the Suez Canal takes approximately 30-35 days. Besides the possibility of a slight reduction in voyage time for vessels originating from the U.S. Eastern Seaboard, Brazilian exporters will have the greater flexibility of increased sailing services utilizing either the Panama or Suez Canal.

photo: Processed meats displayed in an ASEAN supermarket chiller

USAPEEC Singapore office is organizing a Food Safety & Hygiene Seminar for meat and poultry processors in Manila and Cebu. The Philippines is the second largest market for U.S. exports of MSM (mechanically separated meats). The meat and poultry ingredients are utilized in a wide range of processed products like sausages, patties, frankfurters, nuggets and meat balls. However, there is a pressing need for information on food safety and HACCP, safe handling and storage practices in the food processing industry in the country.

Dr. Shelly McKee, the Technical Director of USAPEEC, who holds a Ph.D. in Food Science from Texas A&M University and is a renowned expert on food safety and HACCP, will conduct the Food Safety Seminar for processors in Manila on August 8, and in Cebu on August 10.

photo: USAPEEC Pavilion at The WOFEX Show 2015

The World Food Expo (WOFEX) is the largest food show in the Philippines. The show occupies two venues, the World Trade Center and the SMX Convention Center. It will showcase a diverse range of food equipment and products from international and domestic exhibitors over the period of August 3-6 2016. During the show, the highly anticipated cooking competition, the Philippine Culinary Cup, which is certified by the World Association of Chefs’ Societies (WACS), features the best culinary talents in the country. USAPEEC Singapore, one of the main sponsors for the Philippine Culinary Cup, will also be participating in the WOFEX Show.