Cargill reopens Singapore Innovation Center to drive food innovation in Asia

Guests tour Cargill’s newly upgraded Innovation Center in Singapore, featuring a culinary suite, Chocolate Academy and advanced R&D labs tailored to Asia’s food trends

Cargill has reopened its newly upgraded Innovation Center in Singapore. The launch supports its vision of creating innovative food solutions for Asia, from Asia. The project is backed by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG).

The reopening event brought together customers, media, and government officials. Guests toured the new facility and sampled a range of new food products. These included chocolate frappés, sparkling tea sodas with less sugar, indulgent bakery items, and chicken nuggets with local flavours.

John Fering, Group President of Food APAC at Cargill, said the centre will help customers respond faster to shifting consumer trends.

“Consumers across Asia want new tastes, better health benefits, and great sensory experiences. With our upgraded Innovation Center, we can co-create solutions that reflect local preferences and deliver strong commercial value.”

Singapore: a growing hub for food innovation

The modernised site gives Cargill greater research and development power. It combines science, innovation, and culinary creativity under one roof. Importantly, it also strengthens Singapore’s role as a key global centre for food innovation.

New facilities include a restaurant-style kitchen, a flexible test area modelled on fast food workflows, and a Chocolate Academy. These spaces allow chefs and food developers to test recipes, tweak techniques, and refine menus before going to market. The centre also features labs for bakery, dairy, beverages, and sensory testing.

Michelle Tan, Vice President at EDB, said the relaunch would “help push the boundaries of next-gen food innovation.” She added that it builds deep capabilities in food science and supports Singapore’s long-term goals in the agri-food space.

Amreeta Eng, Executive Director at Enterprise Singapore, welcomed the expansion. She said it offers new chances for partnerships with Singapore-based food start-ups, accelerators, and SMEs.

Tapping into Asia’s booming food market

Cargill’s move comes at a time of fast growth in Asia’s foodservice and indulgence sectors. A recent Cargill survey found that 70% of consumers are willing to pay more for exciting flavours. Meanwhile, 82% want multi-sensory experiences when enjoying treats like chocolate, ice cream, and bakery items.

These findings align with wider market trends. In 2024, the Asia Pacific foodservice sector was worth over USD 400 billion. It is set to grow by more than 15% per year and could reach nearly USD 1.7 trillion by 2034. This growth is driven by a rising middle class, busy lifestyles, and increasing demand for food delivery and takeout.

Innovation, for Asia from Asia

Singapore is now home to one of Cargill’s four Innovation Centers in Asia. The launch also coincides with Singapore’s 60th birthday. It highlights Cargill’s long-standing presence in the country and its future ambitions for the region.

With this investment, Cargill aims to help its partners bring better, faster, and more localised food solutions to market. The company is focused on co-developing new ideas that meet Asia’s evolving food preferences—while also keeping sustainability and consumer wellbeing at the core.