- Lesaffre has a rich history spanning over 170 years as a key player in fermentation. Could you share how this legacy influences your operations and innovations in the Asia-Pacific region?
Lesaffre’s 172-year legacy in fermentation is not just a point of pride, it’s a powerful driver of how we operate and innovate in the Asia-Pacific region today.
This deep-rooted expertise provides us with a robust foundation of scientific knowledge and industrial know-how, which we continuously adapt to meet local market needs, including Myanmar market.
In Asia-Pacific, where food cultures are diverse and fast-evolving, we leverage this legacy to offer tailored solutions, whether it’s in baking, nutrition, or bio-based ingredients. Our R&D centers across the world collaborate closely with our local teams, applying our global experience to co-develop products that resonate with local tastes and respond to regional challenges.
Moreover, our long-standing commitment to sustainability and innovation enables us to support customers not only with high-quality fermentation solutions but also with guidance on efficiency, health trends, and environmental impact.
In short, our long history empowers us to act with confidence, but always with an eye toward the future, together with a strong regional anchorage, with a good example being the opening of a brand new yeast factory in Malang, Indonesia (2024) to serve our customers even better and reinforce this regional proximity to our APAC customers.
- What emerging trends or consumer preferences are you observing in the fermentation industry, and how is Lesaffre adapting to meet these changes?
We’re seeing several exciting emerging trends in the fermentation industry, driven by evolving consumer expectations around health, sustainability, and authenticity.
One major shift is the growing demand for natural, clean-label products: consumers increasingly want food with fewer additives and more transparent ingredient lists. Fermentation is perfectly positioned to meet that need, as it’s a natural process that can enhance flavor, nutrition, and shelf life without artificial components. Another trend is the rising interest in gut health and functional nutrition. Probiotics, postbiotics, and fermented foods are gaining attention not just in traditional applications but also in categories like beverages, snacks, and even plant-based foods.
At Lesaffre, we’re adapting by investing heavily in R&D and consumer insights. We’re developing new strains, exploring precision fermentation, and expanding our portfolio beyond baking into areas like health & nutrition, animal care, and bioingredients.
In Asia-Pacific specifically, we tailor our innovations to local taste profiles and dietary preferences, collaborating closely with regional partners and customers to co-create solutions. Ultimately, we’re combining our century-long expertise with a future-forward mindset to help shape a healthier, more sustainable food system through fermentation.
3. What unique features of your products have contributed to your market leadership both in Myanmar and internationally?
Our market leadership in Myanmar and internationally is rooted in several unique features of Lesaffre’s products, most importantly, their consistent quality, technical reliability, and adaptability to local needs.
Whether it’s our yeast, baking ingredients, or fermentation-based solutions, we focus on delivering products that perform exceptionally across diverse applications and climates. One key strength is our ability to combine global expertise with local insight.
In Myanmar, for example, we’ve developed formulations that work well with local flour types, baking techniques, and environmental conditions. This localization ensures better results for bakers and food manufacturers, helping them improve both product quality and productivity.
Another differentiator is our strong technical support. We don’t just sell products, we work closely with customers through our baking centers and field teams to provide hands-on training, troubleshooting, and product development advice. We recently opened a brand new Baking Center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2025), the third one in the region, to reinforce our technical support and proximity with our APAC customers, and address their needs with even more efficiency.
That partnership mindset sets us apart and builds long-term trust. Globally, our innovation in sustainable fermentation and functional ingredients also plays a big role. We continuously invest in R&D to offer solutions that meet modern demands, like clean labels, nutritional benefits, and process efficiency, giving us a competitive edge across markets
- How did Lesaffre adapt to the current situation in Myanmar and what are your recommendations for any business willing to enter Myanmar market?
The situation in Myanmar has certainly presented significant challenges, from political instability to logistical constraints and economic uncertainty.
At Lesaffre, we’ve responded by staying deeply committed to our local partners and customers. We have never let down our historical partner, Blessing Trading, with whom we have been working for more than 45 years now, and remain by their side in these troubled times.
Also, our approach has been to remain agile and supportive: adapting our supply chains, ensuring continuity of service despite disruptions and maintaining close communication with all stakeholders. We also leaned on our global infrastructure and experience in operating under complex conditions to ensure resilience. This allowed us to continue serving the market while upholding our quality standards and customer trust.
For businesses looking to enter the Myanmar market, I would recommend a long-term perspective. Myanmar has tremendous potential, particularly in the food industry, but success requires patience, flexibility, and strong local partnerships. Understanding the cultural and economic dynamics is key, so is investing in local talent and building trust through consistent presence and support. Navigating uncertainty is part of doing business in emerging markets, but with the right mindset and values, it’s possible to make a meaningful and sustainable impact.
