Interview: Olam Cocoa targets growth in Asia with deZaan range

Olam Cocoa is looking to capitalise on increasing snacking trends in the Asian market with its deZaan cocoa ingredients portfolio, according to Charissa Leong, the business’s head of sales – cocoa powder.

Speaking with FoodBev Media at Food Ingredients Asia 2019, Leong detailed how deZaan products can enable manufacturers to address shifting consumer tastes and regional market trends.

“In Asia, we see that the consumers are moving towards highly alkalised cocoa powders with a darker range of cocoa powders,” she said.

“Asia itself is actually set to be the second largest consumer of cocoa ingredients in the world and in Olam we have a very strong footprint in Asia.”

While the deZaan range can be used for applications such as ready-to-drink beverages, ice cream, cereals and spreads, Leong highlighted the growth potential of the snacking market.

“As millennials get very busy, they tend to snack a lot,” she said. “Cocoa ingredients can be used in the snack and bakery, especially the biscuits and cookies, category.”

Earlier this year, Olam secured a deal to acquire BT Cocoa, Indonesia’s largest cocoa processor, in a move to “rapidly expand” its footprint in Asia.