Chinese Beverage Brands Expanded in Southeast Asia
Major Chinese drink companies established local production and retail networks across Southeast Asia to drive growth.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Tea
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Chinese beverage brands including Chi Forest and Eastroc Beverage increased their regional presence in Southeast Asia through local manufacturing and distribution partnerships. These expansions occurred between 2022 and 2025 as firms localized their operations to meet consumer preferences.
Why it matters
Companies are shifting toward localized operating models to sustain growth and better align with regional tastes. This strategic focus aims to capture a larger share of the expanding Southeast Asian soft drinks market.
Eastroc Beverage achieved 9% volume growth in the Malaysian energy drinks market by leveraging distribution via 99 Speedmart. Meanwhile, Chi Forest expanded its Indonesian reach, utilizing a network of over 44,000 Indomaret and Alfamart retail outlets.
The players
Chi Forest
This Chinese beverage company specializes in low-sugar drink products and has aggressively targeted Southeast Asian consumers.
Eastroc Beverage
A major Chinese company that produces energy drinks and has established manufacturing hubs in Indonesia and Vietnam.
Halal Product Assurance Agency
This Indonesian government body oversees the certification of products to ensure they meet religious standards for the local population.
The details
Brands are tailoring product packaging and marketing strategies to suit local Southeast Asian consumer preferences. Chi Forest secured halal certification from the Halal Product Assurance Agency for its products, including its iced tea line launched in Indonesia in June 2025.
Timeline
Chi Forest entered the Indonesian market in 2022.
Eastroc Beverage began investing in production facilities in 2024.
Chi Forest launched iced teas in Indonesia in June 2025.
The regional soft drinks market is projected to grow at a 3% rate from 2025 to 2030.
Soft drink sales in the region are forecast to reach $29.7 billion by 2030.
Culture Shift
The entry of these beverage brands reflects a broader movement toward regional economic integration and the adaptation of Chinese consumer goods to international markets. These moves capitalize on rising disposable incomes and changing consumption habits among Southeast Asian youth populations.
Consumers in Indonesia and Malaysia now have access to a wider variety of imported beverage options through common retail chains like Indomaret and 99 Speedmart. Shoppers may notice an increased presence of localized marketing and certified halal branding on these products.
The takeaway
These brands illustrate the importance of navigating local regulatory and cultural landscapes, such as halal certification, to achieve market penetration. Investors and consumers can watch for further expansion as these companies solidify their regional supply chains.
Further reading
For more information on regional consumer trends, visit the Tea section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Retail Asia.
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