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BANGKOK, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

Thailand, a long-standing leading producer, and net exporter of food is gearing

up to provide the world with volume and nutritive quality in a sustainable

manner, and to meet global consumer demand for unique tastes with its food of

the future offerings.

The country promotes itself as the "Kitchen of the World' on account of its

strength in the food industry, arising from its abundant natural resources,

continuing investment in food innovation and commitment to food safety

standards. In 2021, Thailand ranked 13th largest food exporter in the world,

with exports valued at USD30.5 billion.

However, the country is not resting on its laurels and is pushing ahead to meet

the growing global demand for healthier food, and so-called food of the future,

such as plant-based proteins and meat alternatives. Presently, Thailand is the

world's 25th largest exporter of alternative proteins, with USD1.21 billion

worth of food of the future in the first quarter of 2022, up 26% on year. Major

markets include US, China and Vietnam.

With an increasing number of conglomerates, SMEs and food tech start-ups

entering this segment, Thailand's future food offering is increasing in both

quantity and quality. To compete producers not only aim to create the taste and

texture of traditional meat products but also explore the use of new primary

ingredients such as chickpea, mushrooms, and barley instead of soy, corn and

wheat.  Exotic seasonings from fruits, spices and herbs are inventively added

to make future food products from Thailand stand out.

Smith Taweelerdniti, the producer of Let's Plant Meat said the key to success

is to find a balance in the flavor, health and environmental benefits. "Whoever

that could skew the consumer demand toward more sustainable and more healthy, I

think, is a boon for the planet," he said in an interview to CNBC Asia. "It's

about creating the flavor and aroma, this is the key."

Scaling up innovation is part of the Thai government's plan to promote the

sector as a key economic driver. Thaifex, the largest food and beverage trade

show in Asia steadily offers food innovators chances to showcase their ideas. A

food tech team from Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University won the ASEAN Food

Innovation Challenge 2021 with "The Marble Booster", plant-based Wagyu-style

marbled-meat slices infused with immune-boosters, turmeric and black-pepper

extracts. The product will soon be sold at convenience stores.

Thailand's other alternative proteins, namely edible insects, a well-known

local delicacy, and protein sourced from insects have long made inroads into

markets including US, UK, Germany, and South Korea. Popular insects like

crickets and grasshoppers are used as ingredients in preparations including

canned food, pastry and candy.  As growing concerns about food security and

sustainability are boosting global demand, Thailand aims to step up sales of

edible insects and insect protein powders and its current rank of 17th largest

exporter of live insects.

Source: DITP

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   Caption: Plant-based meat alternatives become healthier and tastier with infinite ideas

of innovation.