Starbucks expands plant-based range in Asia Pacific

Starbucks has rolled out a new plant-based menu in selected Asia-Pacific markets. The brand has added two new seasonal plant-based beverages – Oatmilk Cocoa Macchiato and Almondmilk Hazelnut Latte. The beverage range will be available across eight markets: Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The new options will remain part of the chain’s core menu in up to seven of these markets when the seasonal promotion ends.

Starbucks’ new plant-based food options will be sold in five markets: Hong Kong, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. The company says they were created to suit the tastes and preferences of consumers in specific markets.

They are:
Hong Kong: Maize Impossible Sandwich, the Spiced Impossible Puff, and vegan chocolate breadstick.
New Zealand: Mince & Cheese Pie.
Singapore: Impossible Wrap.
Taiwan: Beyond Meat Bolognese Penne, the Beyond Meat Sausage Sandwich, and the Beyond Meatball Sandwich.
Thailand: Beyond Meat Sandwich.

“As customer demand for plant-based choices increases, Starbucks remains committed to expanding plant-based food and beverage offerings in locally-relevant ways…,” the company said in a statement.

“This menu expansion is designed to offer our customers the same flavors and handcrafted service they know and love from Starbucks, in a new way,” said Sara Trilling, president at Starbucks Asia Pacific.

According to Euromonitor, Asia Pacific is the largest market for plant-based milk options as traditions in food culture have been well established.

Industry manager at Euromonitor said plant-based options are strongly ingrained in Asian culture. Innovation is key to meeting the taste preferences of consumers seeking out new flavors and modern takes on traditional diets.