2013-02-28 15:20:53 - Fast Market Research recommends "Singapore Food & Drink Report Q1 2013" from Business Monitor International, now available

Our outlook for Singapore's consumer sector remains positive, as the country's economy has weathered the global economic downturn fairly well. In fact, the Singaporean consumer is one of the bright spots for the city-state's economy, in line with rising wealth levels and incomes. We forecast private consumption to grow by a solid 5.5% in 2013, following estimated 3.5% growth in 2012, and expect the sector to be an outperformer in the years to come, as the strong demand that we have seen in both housing and vehicle sales continuing to point to the underlying strength of the Singaporean consumer. Furthermore, the fundamentals within Singapore's domestic economy remain sound - in particular, the labour market has shown marked resilience to the

regional slowdown. Given the ongoing external malaise and the economy's slower than expected growth in Q312, we have downgraded our full-year GDP growth estimate from 2.6% to 1.9%, although we continue to forecast for the economy to see a rebound to 3.6% in 2013.


Full Report Details at
- www.fastmr.com/prod/536566_singapore_food_drink_report_q1_2013.a ..


Headline Industry Data (local currency)

* 2013 food consumption = +7.16%; compound annual growth rate (CAGR) forecast to 2017 = +2.93%
* 2013 alcoholic drink value sales = +7.03%; CAGR forecast to 2017 = +5.68%
* 2013 soft drink value sales = +3.49%; CAGR forecast to 2017 = +2.94%
* 2013 mass grocery retail sales = +2.92%; CAGR forecast to 2017 = +2.76%

Industry Trends & Developments

Heineken Takes Full Control of APB: In October 2012, Dutch brewing giant Heineken secured full control of Asia Pacific Breweries after the shareholders of Fraser and Neave voted in favour of the firm's SGD5.6bn (US$4.5bn) bid. Heineken has been forced to pay a hefty premium for the business, at 17X earnings before interest tax and amortisation. However, the firm's CEO has stressed that it was 'worth every dollar' owing to the firm's tremendous exposure to some of Asia's most promising beer markets.

Petra Foods' Sales Take A Hit: Singapore-based cocoa ingredients and chocolate confectionery manufacturer Petra Foods' sales fell 16.5% year-on-year (y-o-y) to US$359.9mn in Q312, and its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation decreased 7.4% y-o-y to US$28.7mn in the quarter. The decline has been attributed to weaker chocolate consumption globally, which reduced profits from the company's cocoa ingredients division by 57.8% y-o-y to US$6.7mn. Petra Foods aims to focus on higher-value custom ingredients and is expected to leave Eastern European markets in a bid to restore profitability.

Risks To Outlook

With inflation stubbornly remaining above its long-term average, Singapore is once again in stagflationary territory. Headline inflation hit 4.7% in September 2012, up considerably from 3.9% in August as the housing and transportation categories continued to pressure prices upwards. Although our forecasts do not indicate that inflation will outpace growth in 2013, we do believe that risks of this phenomenon are growing.

Downside risks to our expectations of softer demand conditions in Singapore could stem from a sharper deterioration of the external macroeconomic environment. With the four largest economic blocs in the world estimated to have had a decidedly weak 2012, Singapore is likely to feel serious knock-on effects as one of the most sensitive barometers to global economic conditions. Indeed, exports to the US, China, EU, and Japan make up 41.7% of Singapore's total exports, and exports make up approximately 206% of Singapore's total economic output.

Partial Table of Contents:

BMI Industry View
SWOT Analysis
- Singapore Food Industry SWOT
- Singapore Drink Industry SWOT
- Singapore Mass Grocery Retail Industry SWOT
Business Environment
- BMI's Core Global Industry Views
- Table: Core Views
- Asia Pacific Food & Drink Risk/Reward Ratings
- Table: Food & Drink Risk/Reward Sub-Factor Ratings, Q113 (score out of 10)
- Table: Asia Pacific Food & Drink Risk/Reward Ratings, Q113
- Singapore's Food & Drink Risk/Reward Ratings
- Macroeconomic Outlook
- Table: Economic Activity
Industry Forecast Scenario
- Consumer Outlook
- Food
- Food Consumption
- Table: Food Consumption Indicators - Historical Data & Forecasts, 2010-2017
- Canned Food
- Table: Canned Food Value/Volume Sales - Historical Data & Forecasts, 2010-2017
- Confectionery
- Table: Confectionery Value/Volume Sales - Historical Data & Forecasts, 2010-2017
- Organics
- Table: Organic Food Value Sales - Historical Data & Forecasts, 2010-2017
- Drink
- Hot Drinks
- Table: Hot Drinks Value/Volume Sales - Historical Data & Forecasts, 2010-2017
- Alcoholic Drinks
- Table: Alcoholic Drinks Value/Volume Sales - Historical Data & Forecasts, 2010-2017
- Soft Drinks
- Table: Soft Drinks Value/Volume Sales - Historical Data & Forecasts, 2010-2017
- Mass Grocery Retail
- Table: Mass Grocery Retail Sales - Historical Data & Forecasts, 2010-2017
- Trade
- Table: Trade Indicators - Historical Data & Forecasts, 2010-2017
Food
- Key Industry Trends And Developments
- Baby Boom Presents Commercial Opportunities
- Strengthening Procurement And Manufacturing Processes
- Local Companies Report Solid Growth
- Market Overview
- Agriculture
- Food Processing
Drink
- Key Industry Trends And Developments
- Heineken Secures Full Control of APB
- YHS And F&N Witnessing Mixed Headwinds
- International Expansion The Antidote To Domestic Market Saturation
- Market Overview
- Soft Drinks
- Alcoholic Drinks
- Hot Drinks
Mass Grocery Retail
- Key Industry Trends And Developments
- Carrefour Exiting Singapore
- Domestic Retailers Expanding Overseas
- Retailers Linking Up With Overseas Suppliers
- Organised Retail To Gain Prominence
-

Full Table of Contents is available at:
-- www.fastmr.com/catalog/product.aspx?productid=536566&dt=t

About Business Monitor International

Business Monitor International (BMI) offers a comprehensive range of products and services designed to help senior executives, analysts and researchers assess and better manage operating risks, and exploit business opportunities, across 175 markets. BMI offers three main areas of expertise: Country Risk BMI's country risk and macroeconomic forecast portfolio includes weekly financial market reports, monthly regional Monitors, and in-depth quarterly Business Forecast Reports. Industry Analysis BMI covers a total of 17 industry verticals through a portfolio of services, including in-depth quarterly Country Forecast Reports. View more research from Business Monitor International at www.fastmr.com/catalog/publishers.aspx?pubid=1010

About Fast Market Research

Fast Market Research is an online aggregator and distributor of market research and business information. We represent the world's top research publishers and analysts and provide quick and easy access to the best competitive intelligence available.

For more information about these or related research reports, please visit our website at www.fastmr.com or call us at 1.800.844.8156.