ASIA - Week of 2025-12-01–2025-12-07

Week of 2025-12-01–2025-12-07

Across Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and Thailand this week, RTE/RTD activity clusters around zero-alcohol “adult” soft drinks, plant-based or high-protein functional beverages, and ever more aggressive convenience-store merchandising. In Taiwan, Kaohsiung-based Shi Chia Tea is using the Kaohsiung Food Show to push Gazebo sparkling green tea, a fizzy, champagne-like green tea positioned as a zero-alcohol, weight-friendly alternative to beer that can stand alone, pair with meals, or act as a cocktail mixer—part of a broader strategy to modernise Taiwanese tea culture via canned and RTD formats. (FoodNavigator-Asia.com) From the same show, Taiwan’s Tachiz is promoting “cleaner” popping bobas—including savoury options—as a more natural boba ingredient for both drinks and desserts, which is relevant for premium RTD teas and fermented beverages looking to add texture without heavy additives. (FoodNavigator-Asia.com) In Japan, there are fewer headline product drops this week but packaging and format direction is clear: a fresh analysis of the Japan tea packaging market highlights how growth in organic, functional and RTD teas is pushing brands beyond classic bottles into barrier pouches, resealable packs and recyclable or compostable formats, signalling that sustainability and shelf impact are now as important as flavour in the RTD tea set. (Future Market Insights)

South Korea’s convenience chains are leaning hard into alcohol-centric RTD and price architecture: GS25 is kicking off December with its largest-ever promotion on 2,000 alcoholic SKUs, bundling 17 imported beers and six canned highballs at aggressive multi-buy prices and tying in mobile payment cashback, which underscores how canned RTD cocktails and beers are merchandised as fast-moving, promotion-driven items in c-stores. (MK News) At the premium end, GS25’s Wine25Plus “négociant direct” programme continues to grow, letting shoppers pre-order limited Bordeaux wines via app and pick up in store, effectively turning convenience outlets into omni-channel hubs for fine alcohol and signalling consumer comfort with using c-stores for more than impulse beer and soju. (Vino Joy News) This sits on top of a hyper-innovative RTE base—South Korean chains routinely launch up to 70 new food items per week, spanning tube fried rice, spaghetti and other RTE meals, which keeps the chilled and hot meal space extremely dynamic. (Los Angeles Times)

Thailand continues to be the most active on functional RTDs and sugar-managed formulations, in the shadow of its fully implemented sugar-tier excise tax. QminC has just rolled out Daily Dose, a small-format functional drink blending ginger and turmeric with 100 % mango and passion-fruit juice and marketing four benefits in one bottle—digestion, immunity, energy and skin health—while also plugging a new avocado & almond protein smoothie that combines plant protein and healthy fats for satiety and muscle support. (Mini Me Insights) The same Thai trend feed from Mini Me Insights highlights a cluster of mid-November launches now bedding in on shelf: Ovaltine Zero (no-added-sugar malt drink), CP-Meiji High Protein Activ (dairy RTD enriched with type II collagen for joint health), and Singha Lemon Cream Soda as a fun, social, lemony soda positioned for energy and mixability—all playing directly to low-/no-sugar, high-protein or “better-for-you” indulgence. (Mini Me Insights) Taken together, the latest signals for this week show: Taiwan using sparkling teas and cleaner bobas to push tea into sophisticated zero-alcohol territory; Japan quietly pivoting packaging for functional/organic RTD teas toward more sustainable, premium formats; South Korean c-stores weaponising RTD alcohol promotions and pre-order wine platforms on top of a hyper-innovative RTE base; and Thailand aggressively layering herbal, protein and sugar-free cues into RTDs under a strict sugar-tax regime.