One cannot speak of global cuisines without mentioning Thailand, affectionately referred to as the “Kitchen of the World”. Its unique flavors, abundance of fresh ingredients, and diverse culinary techniques have accorded it this prestigious title. One prominent industry voice, Chris Aurand, the Open Innovation Leader of Thai Union Group, firmly believes that the nation stands a remarkable chance to bolster this reputation further whilst addressing essential sustainability issues regarding food.
With the world’s growing demand for high-quality and nutritious products, Thailand’s potential to produce high-value byproducts is unmatched. This includes exploring the potential of converting insects into protein-dense foods or developing rice bran products with superior nutritional parameters. According to Aurand, numerous startups in Thailand are already partnering with sizeable manufacturers for such ventures, aiming to add greater value to byproducts, therefore amplifying their environmental and nutritional impact.
Aurand conveyed these insights at a fascinating forum organized by the Israeli embassy on September 5th. The event, dubbed the Israeli Food Tech roadshow, focused on the central theme “Savor the Future of Food: Satisfy Your Hunger with Israel’s Innovation”. This roadshow provided a platform to highlight Israel’s innovative strides within food technology, and importantly, to explore avenues for enhanced business cooperation between Thai and Israeli food industries.
Aurand opined that Thailand could truly benefit from partnering with Israel in certain strategic areas. For instance, researching various elements such as taste, texture, smell, and cost-effectiveness of foods. These specific factors play a large role in influencing consumer behavior and contribute substantially to the likelihood of customers returning to the products again.
Furthermore, the CEO and co-founder of Tastebud, Santi Abakaz, who also serves as an Adviser to the Thai Future Food Association, backs the drive to elevate Thailand’s already highly-regarded reputation via food safety and standard enhancements. Strengthened by an enviable diversity of local producers and manufacturers, Thailand stands on firm ground regarding food security. Abakaz emphasizes the potential of exploring food traceability technologies as a future must-have in the industry, offering another compelling case for stronger Thailand-Israel collaborations on the food tech front.
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