FOOD PROCESSING IN SINGAPORE

FOOD PROCESSING IN SINGAPORE

Case study: Food processing industry in Singapore

•Singapore is a small, newly industrialised island-state located in Southeast Asia

Food processing in Sinapore

•The food processing industry was established in 1950s

•It is growing rapidly to keep up with the global tastes of the resident population

•Singapore has no natural resources and farming activities are minimal

•As a result, the food processing industry imports most of its raw and semi-processed materials

•There are 681 food processing companies

•Factories are located in designated industrial estates scattered all over the country

Multiple Choice

When was food processing established in Singapore?

• 1950s

• 1954

• 1960s

• 1970s

Multiple Choice

Singapore has none of which of the following

• industries

• Natural resources

• Tourism

• none of the above

Factors influencing the location of the food processing industry

• 1 .Supply of raw materials

  •Almost all the raw materials are imported

  2 Labour supply

  •Most of the workers are locals

  •The industry employs about 19,200 people

  3.Accessibility

  •Singapore is well connected to the world by air and sea

  •Products are easily and quickly exported to other countries

  •Internally, a dense and efficient transport network provides excellent accessibility between the factories, the retail outlets and the air and sea ports

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements are incorrect concerning food processing in Singapore?

• •Almost all the raw materials are imported

• •The industry employs about 19,200 people

• Most of the workers are foreigners

• None of the above

• 4.Level of technology

  •The technology used has become more advanced to keep up with global trends and the local demand for variety and quality

  •Skilled labour is available to operate the higher-technology equipment

  5.Government

  •The government has set up designated industrial areas in different parts of Singapore to cater to different types of industries

  •International Enterprise Singapore, a government agency, helps local food processing companies to extend their regional and global reach

  •Most imported products are not subjected to import duties

Features of the food processing industry

• •95% of companies are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

  •Labour force in an SME may range from a few workers to about 200

  •Highly dependent on imported raw materials and semi-processed materials

  •Products cater to local and international markets

  •Some niche markets are being exploited internationally

  •Products include dairy products, edible oils, beverages, bakery products, processed meat and chocolate

  •

Trends in the food processing industry

• •Retail food sales have been rising in recent years

  •Lifestyles are changing with increasing affluence

  •People are dining out more often

  •Preference for food that is ready to eat or requires little cooking

  •Companies are using technology to increase the shelf life of products and to increase market share

  •Some hypermarkets and supermarket chains are offering online shopping

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is Not a trend in the food processing industry?

• •Retail food sales have been decreasing in recent years

• •People are dining out more often

• Preference for food that is ready to cook

• All of the above

Challenges for the food processing industry

• •Small domestic market

  •Need to sell to markets abroad to stay viable

  •40% of the products are exported overseas

  •Competition from countries that are able to produce the same items at lower cost due to cheaper labour

  •Need to come up with products that are uniquely Singaporean using new technology, e.g. instant roti prata