SINGAPORE – Asia is catching up fast in the “third” and “fourth wave” of global coffee consumption and café culture.
Whilst international coffee chains continue to dominate Asian markets, there is immense potential for the speciality coffee market to grow.
Consumers are eager to learn about and appreciate speciality coffees, spurring the growth of speciality coffee shops sprouting up in Southeast Asia such as Indonesia, Thailand and even Brunei, representing a huge consumption game changer.
Vis-à-vis this phenomena, branded coffee shops such as Starbucks Reserve are rolling out in the region to satisfy consumers’ demand for a steaming mug of gourmet java or chilled coffee, to be enjoyed in a cosy, conducive environment.
In the hotter regions of Asia, there is nothing like having a cold brew in replacement of a hot beverage.
Touted as the “fourth wave”, iced coffee looks set to dominate global coffee consumption habits particularly with millennials, who are already responsible for the cold coffee turn in the United States.
Cold brew coffee is also beginning to gain a foothold in Southeast Asia, where manufacturers will find an increasing opportunity to target consumers.
In the last coffee year (October 2015 – September 2016), the estimated number of 60kg bags of coffee consumed stood at 151.3 million, representing a 1.3 per cent average annual growth rate in coffee consumption since the previous coffee year.
Not only is speciality coffee gathering interest in coffee markets across Asia, tea is also gaining popularity in the region. Globally, the tea market is expected to grow to US$47.2 billion by 2020, with Asia Pacific leading the charge.
“The growth potential of the coffee and tea industry in Asia is evident, as more and more discerning consumers exhibit an enthusiastic appreciation of a quality brew.
With a proven track record of drawing relevant trade visitors, this third installation of SpecialityCoffee&Tea will no doubt continue to afford exhibitors with opportunities to increase their brand and product visibility, establish direct links with target audiences, and last but not least, provide the platform for them to be trendsetters in the worlds of speciality coffee and tea,” says Ms. Ting Siew Mui, Project Director of Lifestyle Events at UBM SES, organiser of SpecialityCoffee&Tea.
SpecialityCoffee&Tea2018 – A gathering of industry’s Who’s Who
Against this growth backdrop, the return of SpecialityCoffee&Tea2018 – a dedicated one-stop sourcing platform and one of Food&HotelAsia’s (FHA) six specialised events, will return to the Singapore Expo from 24 – 27 April 2018.
The event presents an opportune networking platform for exhibitors to connect with established and upcoming F&B and hospitality establishments looking to ramp up their menus with gourmet coffee and tea, such as cafes, hotels, catering companies, airlines, and more.
Confirmed exhibitors to date include big players such as Boncafe International, Bunn-O-Matic, Cafetto, Cimballi, Coffex Coffee, Crem, DaVinci Syrup, Dilmah Fine Teas, Ebenezer Coffee Manufacturer, Gryphon Tea, Hälssen & Lyon, Harios, Illycaffe, Monin Asia, N&W, Nuova Simonelli, Rancilio, Ricmas International, Santino Coffee, Santos, Schaerer, Spinelli Coffee Roasters, WMF, and many more.
New exhibitors include grinder manufacturer Mazza, PMD Teas and roasting and grinding solutions provider – Probat, and more are expected to come on board as the event draws nearer.
Dietmar Scheffler, Managing Director of tea experts Hälssen & Lyon, Hamburg says, “SpecialityCoffee&Tea has been a very valuable opportunity to present our premium tea blends and ‘German-made flower teas’ because the event attracts the ideal diversity of business sectors.
It covers a large geographical area, too, as representatives travel from far and wide to Singapore.
We were content with the quality of the contacts because we met decision-makers who took a great interest in superior tea, fruit and herbal blends and the high quality standards of tea products customised in Germany.”
“The coffee industry in Asia now is picking up very fast, with new innovative products coming on line all the time. Regional Southeast Asian countries are seeing our lead and bringing new ideas to their countries.
The focus is here and all eyes for growth are on Asia. Singapore is strategic in its ability to service this region and SpecialityCoffee&Tea is the most important platform to reach into this market,” comments Ross Bright, Master Roaster at Spinelli Coffee Roasters, and National Co-coordinator for the SCAE Singapore Chapter.
He adds, “At SpecialityCoffee&Tea2016, all our new product lines received great reception from Bezzera Espresso Machines to the ‘Aillio Bullet R1 Coffee Roaster’ which stole the limelight. We were delighted to see buyers from Southeast Asia and beyond at the show! Looking forward to 2018!”
Refining Asia’s talent through intense competitions and industry discourse
SpecialityCoffee&Tea2018 will feature an exciting line-up of four competitions – the Barista Super Duo Challenge, the new Roast Master Challenge, new Silver Spoon Challenge and Latte Art Showdown.
Regarded as a highly commended and prestigious platform, the competitions are where baristas in Asia gather to pitch their skills against each other for the title of Asia’s best.
The competitions are jointly organised by Barista Craft and supported by F&N Foods, Fiorenzato, LaMarzocco and Pentair.
In addition, professionals can look to hone their knowledge and skills by taking up barista certification and skills development courses conducted by the SCAE Singapore Chapter alongside the exhibition.
Key players who visited SpecialityCoffee&Tea in 2016 included international and regional F&B and hospitality brands such as ABR Holdings, AccorHotels, BreadTalk Group, Caffé Bene, Cathay Pacific Catering Services, Dunkin Brands, Dutch Colony Coffee Company, Etihad Airport Services Catering, Golden Gate Group, Highland Coffee, Hilton Worldwide, IHG, McCafé, Qantas Airways, Singapore Airlines, Star Cruises, Starbucks Coffee, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, TWG Tea Company and Urban Station Coffee.
2016 visitor Mr. Cayetano Opena Abad Jr, Materials Management Manager, Shakey’s, Philippines, said, “This year, our team of purchasers came with an ‘open mind’ to get fresh ideas for our future projects and FHA never fails to deliver. In fact, I found some interesting coffee machines which I will follow-up further with after the show.”
Another visitor, Mr. Adrianto L., Arv Coffee Roasters, Indonesia, commented: “There are a lot more choices for purchasing equipment this year; a lot of coffee machinery to choose from. SpecialityCoffee&Tea is also very well organised. The organiser is very resourceful and impressive with its well preparation for the event.”
