Unprecedented demand for natural colours spurs significant capital investment in Sensient’s natural colour manufacturing capacity, including expansion of largest production site in St. Louis, Missouri (USA)
Sensient Food Colors, a division of Sensient Technologies, officially celebrated the commencement of a major expansion at its largest natural colour plant, which is located in St. Louis, Missouri (USA). The expansion, coined Project Prism, is one of the many capital investments planned by Sensient to support the food and beverage industry’s rapid transition away from artificial colours in the United States. Sensient expects to spend up to $250 million in the coming years to expand its natural colour manufacturing capacity, supply chain, and personnel.
The St. Louis natural colours plant expansion is being done in partnership with Burns & McDonnell and will add 28,800 square feet of specialised processing and production capacity onto Sensient’s existing 500,000 square foot manufacturing facility.
“Sensient has taken a defining role in accelerating the industry’s transition to natural colour solutions. We are reinforcing our leadership position by making significant investments in capacity and infrastructure to facilitate the natural colour conversion in the United States. The groundbreaking ceremony marks a pivotal milestone in our mission to better serve customers and lead this industry-wide change,” stated Sensient Colors President, Steve Morris.
REIGN Total Body Fuel, the ultimate performance beverage created by Monster Energy, is expanding its bold flavour lineup with the launch of Watermelon Sour Gummy, a candy-inspired innovation that fuses intense flavour with uncompromising performance.
Designed for athletes and those who want their energy source to work as hard as they do, the new flavour delivers a nostalgic sour punch paired with REIGN’s functional energy formula, bringing together taste, intensity, and purpose in every can.
Watermelon Sour Gummy packs 300 mg of natural caffeine, BCAAs, and zero sugar to fuel intense workouts and active lifestyles. The new flavour delivers a mouth-puckering punch of watermelon candy flavour, balanced with a smooth, clean finish that keeps it familiar, fun, and irresistibly drinkable.
A strategic move within REIGN’s flavour innovation pipeline, Watermelon Sour Gummy answers growing demand for flavours that feel indulgent yet functional. The result is a high-impact energy experience that hits hard on taste and performance, without compromise.
REIGN Watermelon Sour Gummy is now available in the US, joining the powerhouse roster featuring White Haze, Sour Gummy Worm, Orange Dreamsicle and REIGNbow Sherbet.
About REIGN Total Body Fuel
Blended with 300 mg of Natural Caffeine, BCAAs, CoQ10, and electrolytes, REIGN Total Body Fuel is designed for your active lifestyle. Offering zero sugar and zero artificial flavours or colours, REIGN Total Body Fuel is the ultimate fitness-focused beverage to support your performance needs. Available in 11 amazing flavours: Orange Dreamsicle, White Gummy Bear, REIGNbow Sherbet, Cherry Limeade, Lilikoi Lychee, Melon Mania, Razzle Berry, Sour Gummy Worm, Tropical Storm, White Haze and now Watermelon Sour Gummy. REIGN Total Body Fuel is available in the US, Canada, Caribbean, Brazil, Chile, UK, and a number of European countries; ingredients and flavours featured in the above description vary for countries outside of the US.
ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA boosts global trade with new features and stronger international participation
ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA 2025 is gearing up for a dynamic edition at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong on 3–5 September, and the global fresh produce business is responding in force. With exhibitors from 41 countries and regions, 25 national pavilions, and numerous new initiatives, the event promises its most international and engaging edition yet.
New forums, First Timer Pavilion, and Retailer’s Club
This year’s event introduces two brand-new forums: the Frozen Fruit and Vegetables Forum on Day 1 and the Nuts and Dried Fruit Forum on Day 2. Both take place on the Asiafruit Showcase stage and are followed by dedicated networking sessions, giving visitors direct access to expert insights, key buyers and suppliers, and new business opportunities in these fast-growing categories.
Also new is the First Timer Pavilion. Created for companies debuting at ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA, it offers a high-visibility platform to introduce their businesses. The First Timer Pavilion is already nearing capacity, with exhibitors from Lithuania, Mexico, Morocco, the US, and India among the first to join.
The Retailer’s Club returns in 2025 after its successful debut, welcoming around 200 top retail buyers from across Asia and the world. Retailers enjoy exclusive services including a dedicated Lounge, Speed Dating, meeting spaces and curated Matchmaking.
Strategic insights from business leaders
ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA visitors enjoy full access to ASIAFRUIT KNOWLEDGE CENTRE, the new content hub on the trade show floor. Powered by Asiafruit Magazine, ASIAFRUIT KNOWLEDGE CENTRE features three content streams – Asiafruit Congress, Asiafruit Business Forum and Asiafruit Showcase – bringing visitors an unrivalled combination of strategic insights, practical advice, and innovative solutions.
Bigger global footprint
The international scale of ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA continues to grow, with exhibitors from 41 countries and regions already confirmed, including 25 national pavilions. Portugal, Azerbaijan, and Morocco are returning to the show after several years, while Lithuania and Kenya make their debut appearance. Chile, Peru, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan, and Tanzania are all increasing their footprint with larger stands and more participants.
China will once again be the largest-single exhibiting country, underlining its critical role in Asia’s fresh produce trade. Leading Chinese distributor Goodfarmer – which has participated in every single edition of ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA since its launch in 2007 – highlighted the show’s global impact.
“The event has become a key platform for us to engage with the global fruit industry, enhance our international profile, and build strong partnerships worldwide,” said Eric Zheng, banana product director of Goodfarmer.
Leading Turkish exporter Aksun is another longtime exhibitor at ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA, and managing partner Akin Soyleyen said the show continues to be “a cornerstone event” for business development in the region.
“Each year, ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA provides us with invaluable opportunities to strengthen our existing business connections and establish new partnerships across Asia and beyond,” said Soyleyen. “We truly value the professionalism and international reach of the event, and we look forward to an even more impactful edition in 2025.”
ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA also enables top global brands to deepen their penetration in the fast-developing Asia markets and showcase exciting new products.
“The show is an exceptional platform for Driscoll’s Asia to connect with industry leaders and explore new opportunities in the Asian market,” said Andy Suh, senior director – Rest of Asia for leading global berry marketer, Driscoll’s.
South Africa is set for record citrus exports of 2.7 million tons in marketing year 2021/22 despite ongoing challenges. Favourable weather conditions, new areas under production, and higher demand in premium markets, such as the United States, are driving the growth in exports. Duty-free exports of citrus to the United States under the African Growth Opportunity Act reached a historic high of 100,234 MT in 2021. However, several challenges are facing the industry, including, soaring input costs, especially fuel and fertiliser, a major surge in shipping costs, ongoing operational challenges at the country’s ports, and the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on established trading patterns. As a result, profitability and sustainability of the industry are under threat and could limit future investments …
Please download the full report: https://apps.fas.usda.gov
