Raising standards in the Ethnic Food sector

As a leading pioneer supplying over 120 key lines to two of the UK’s largest supermarkets Manning Impex is passionate about raising standards in the Ethnic Food sector.

Key challenges for 2016

The major challenge for retailers going forward is also the biggest opportunity – and this is to develop consumer awareness of authentic recipes from the Far East. “The consumer is now becoming savvy and they no longer want what I call ‘European-imitation’ oriental – they want the real deal.”

The right rice

“Often, we’ll see the major food retail giants offer a Thai favourite such as a green or red curry dish with a basmati rice,” says André Cheong Managing Director at Manning Impex.  Our colleagues in Thailand were very horrified when we told them. Basmati is a wonderful rice but far too dry and not as flavoursome or as delicately aromatic as Thai Hom Mali

Secondly not all noodles need wheat –

Another range of products that is often under-represented in the supermarkets is the non-wheat noodle. Across all of Asia and the Far East there is a wide choice of alternatives to wheat noodles – including rice, corn starch and glass noodles.

Thirdly Market growth –

This quest for authenticity has become all the more important as the Independent Ethnic market has grown significantly over the last 10 years.  What’s more, “Shopper Insight” research published last October by IGD (www.igd.com) found that 75% of shoppers would like more choice from World Food sections.