Ocean Spray Happy with “Phenomenal” Asian Growth 

07/12/07 With the Asian functional foods market poised to explode by 2010, according to a report from industry analysts, Ocean Spray ITG reports strong success in the region as cranberry ingredient sales soar. Considered the original superfruit because of its high antioxidant content and the novel proanthocyanidin that helps flush harmful bacteria from the body, cranberry has demonstrated a phenomenal 30 per cent growth rate in Asia-Pacific in the past 12 months.

Arun Hiranandani, global marketing manager at Ocean Spray ITG said: “We have well established links with agents across Asia-Pacific and, in 2007 alone, we appointed new representatives in Vietnam, South Korea and the Phillippines.

“This latest report underlines the growth potential in the region that we’ve long recognised. As the functional foods and drinks category makes the shift from niche to mainstream and the emergent Asian middle class continues to demand world-class products, new successful cranberry-based foods are emerging at a rapid pace. Manufacturers are seeking innovative, naturally healthy ingredients such as fruits and nuts that offer an instantly recognisable point of differentiation in the lucrative functional foods market.”

The wealth of scientific evidence to support the cranberry’s wide-ranging health benefits helps add considerable weight to food manufacturers’ better-for-you and functional food marketing initiatives.  As awareness grows of the substantial health benefits to be reaped from the cranberry’s nutraceutical properties, this North American berry is set to become an international success story.

Ocean Spray in the US currently ranks as one of the top 50 food and beverage companies. In Europe, combined sales of branded products and ITG ingredients have topped $100 million.