Yindii has launched a platform rescuing unsold food in Hong Kong in 2023. By connecting F&B outlets with consumers through discounted surplus sales, Yindii cuts waste, costs, and emissions. HKTDC Research interviewed Yindii’s Country Manager, Agnes Lee, to explore how this model reduces food waste at its source and promotes sustainability in a high-density market like Hong Kong.

In an announcement made on 5 March 2025, the Polish competition authority imposed significant fines, totalling PLN 66 million (approximately EUR 16 million) on Jura Poland, a coffee machine manufacturer, along with several distributors, namely, Euro-net (RTV Euro AGD), Media Saturn Holding (MediaMarkt), Media Saturn Online, and Terg (Media Expert). This action was taken due to their reported involvement in price collusion practices that violated competition laws.

The Oman Tax Authority (OTA) has announced it will ban imported soft drinks, energy drinks and other excise goods from 1 June 2025, unless these products carry a digital tax stamp (DTS), according to local sources on 28 February 2025. The distribution of any such products within the Sultanate without digital stamps will be prohibited from 1 August 2025. Sweetened drinks, however, will remain exempt from the DTS scheme until further notice, but alcoholic beverages have now been added to the scheme.

Hong Kong’s total exports of processed food and beverages reached HK$46.5 billion in 2024, with re-exports accounting for more than 84% in value terms. Mainland China and Macao were the top two largest markets for Hong Kong’s processed food and beverage exports, accounting for 49% and 29% of the total exports respectively last year.

Thailand has reached a new agreement with China on inspection and sanitary standards for farmed aquatic products, opening the door for large-scale seafood export. Signed in February 2025, the deal introduces trade regulations to support exports of Thai aquaculture products. It outlines sanitary and quarantine standards for farmed aquatic products, simplifying the approval process for future seafood exports and facilitating trade.

The increasingly health-conscious Gulf states represent a potential bonanza for international food exporters.

China will impose additional tariffs on some agricultural products imported from the US starting from 10 March 2025, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council announced on 4 March. An additional 15% tariff will be imposed on chicken, wheat, corn and cotton, while sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, aquatic products, fruit, vegetables and dairy products will be subject to an additional 10% tariff. For these products, corresponding tariffs will be added to the current tariff rates. There will be no changes to current bonded policies, or to tax reduction and exemption policies, and the latest tariffs to be imposed will not be reduced or exempted. Goods already in transit before 10 March and imported into China between 10 March and 12 April will not be affected by the current tariff increases. A detailed list of the agricultural products affected is available on the Ministry of Finance website at https://gss.mof.gov.cn/gzdt/zhengcefabu/202503/t20250304_3959228.htm.

F&B businesses at the Gulfood 2025 expo revealed different approaches to US tariff threats, including market diversification.

Mainland China’s e-commerce market is booming, but competition is fierce. Many in the health products sector believe that “Brand Hong Kong” inspires confidence among mainland consumers. As a result, Hong Kong health brands looking to explore the mainland market may find it advantageous to explore the demand there via cross-border e-commerce channel, which allows them to bypass the cumbersome product registration procedures associated with “general trade” practice. It also enables them to gauge consumer responses through e-commerce retail platforms. These insights can then be used to develop long-term strategies for venturing into the mainland market.

When consumers purchase fruit, their primary consideration is often its appearance. This has led to the rejection of fruits that are high in quality but do not meet aesthetic standards. These "ugly fruits" are frequently discarded as food waste despite being perfectly edible. not only powder (nop), is working to repurpose these "ugly fruits" into high-quality products, thereby generating economic value through a circular economy approach.