Local Brand Strengthens Southeast Asia's Horeca Market Through Plant-Based Trend
The plant-based consumption trend is increasingly shaping the Southeast Asian food and beverage industry. Not only in retail, consumer preferences are now also affecting the Horeca sector (hotels, restaurants and cafes), particularly in specialty coffee and premium beverages. This has encouraged producers of raw materials for food and beverage to expand markets while strengthening plant-based product innovation. Ellenka Professional, a Horeka raw-material producer, is reinforcing its presence in Southeast Asia through participation in the Food & Hospitality Asia (FHA) 2026 in Singapore and the Food, Hotel, & Tourism Bali (FHTB) 2026.
Through these two trade shows, the company is introducing a range of beverage ingredient solutions for the Horeka market, including a coconut-based plant-based milk line. At the FHTB 2026 in Bali, Ellenka Professional is also the main sponsor of the Barista Female Creation 2026 competition. The competition features female baristas challenged to create innovative coffee menus using Ellenka Barista Series, the coconut-based plant-based milk line from the company.
Juwono Hartanto, Chief Commercial Officer of PT Lautan Natural Krimerindo, says the plant-based trend is developing not only because of lifestyle factors but also the demand for non-dairy products with premium taste. “We want to introduce a new standard in the coffee industry. Ellenka Barista Series demonstrates that coconut-based plant milks can be a premium alternative without compromising taste,” he said.
According to him, the use of plant-based ingredients is increasingly relevant in the coffee industry because consumers are seeking products that are more inclusive of specific dietary preferences. Beyond flavour profiles, technical aspects are also a focus for the coffee and Horeka sectors. Plant-based milks for barista use are required to have a stable texture during processing, especially when steamed for milk-based coffee drinks such as latte and cappuccino. The company sees a need for consistent raw materials as increasingly important amid growing competition in Southeast Asia’s coffee and cafe scene. Not only are menu innovations pursued, Horeka players are also required to uphold sustainable quality standards to maintain customer loyalty. Therefore, the industry is beginning to seek raw-material suppliers who not only provide products but also technical support and menu development. Ellenka Professional notes it provides technical and marketing support to business partners to help optimise product use in the Horeka sector.
Expansion into regional markets is taking place amid growth in Southeast Asia’s Horeka industry, driven by the rebound in tourism, growth of specialty coffee, and rising consumption of premium foods and beverages. Participation in FHA Singapore is also part of the company’s strategy to broaden its global market and strengthen its position as a supplier of Horeka ingredients internationally. In addition to plant-based milks for baristas, the company also brings a range of other raw-material solutions, including the functional creamer FiberCreme. Industry players see the plant-based trend continuing in the coming years, particularly in Asia, which is becoming one of the main markets for plant-based foods and beverages. For the Horeka sector, the shift in consumer preferences also opens up opportunities for menu innovations and product differentiation amid increasingly fierce competition. Through FiberCreme, the company aims to demonstrate that innovations based on locally sourced ingredients can be globally competitive.