• Partnership will utilize ofi’s Shanghai Customer Solutions Center to unlock new co-creation opportunities for China and Asia Pacific. 
• 87% of consumers¹ surveyed are looking for improved taste, flavour, and quality in barbecue meats. 

ofi, a global leader in food & beverage ingredients and solutions, today announced a new collaboration with customer 利思客, Lisco Barbecue Supply Chain (Lisco), to capitalize on growing consumer demand for innovation and quality in barbecue culinary.   

According to ofi research, barbecue skewers are enjoyed by nearly two-thirds (63%) of Chinese consumers at least once a week. From deep umami seasonings to fiery Sichuan pepper blends, there is a significant opportunity to meet the demand for more adventurous flavors, higher quality, and better taste.

Capitalizing on new opportunities 

The collaboration with Lisco brings together the rich heritage of ofi’s global ingredient sourcing expertise and innovation network with Lisco’s 20-year legacy as a specialist in the Chinese barbecue meat market. ofi’s expansive portfolio of spices² and its integrated supply chain will allow the partnership to explore new and innovative combinations of ingredients and spice blends – creating barbecue skewers with a feast of flavors, aromas, and colours for all occasions.  

Embracing a common thread across cultures in Asia 

Mr. Zhang Li, founder of Lisco, said:

“For many people, barbecue is more than food – it is the backdrop to social and cultural moments, enjoyed with family, friends and loved ones. This collaboration will expand barbecue into new occasions and explore innovative ways to bring people together with good food that tastes great. 

“By working with ofi, we will all be encouraged to exchange ideas and integrate global food cultures with the common aim of creating multicultural barbecue flavors and introducing new and exciting spice blends from all over the world, with a hint of nostalgia.”  

Ramki Prasad, Asia Pacific F&B Solutions Head, said:

“We know that nearly two-thirds of the market (64%) are open to trying new flavors. Thanks to our decades of experience in sourcing these high-quality ingredients and our relationships with farmers, ofi is able to respond to a growing demand for vibrant taste experiences that respect the spirit of regional food traditions while promising a consistent, repeatable flavor all year round. Through this collaboration with Lisco, CPGs and foodservice retailers across the Asia Pacific can expect succulent meat skewers that blend exciting new seasonings and sauces with innovative and convenient formats.  

Looking ahead – solving customer challenges through category solution capabilities and provenance

The Lisco collaboration will be powered by ofi‘s new Customer Solutions Center (CSC) in Shanghai, China³ – a gateway for customers to access the company’s global innovation network and consumer and category insights. With ofi’s F&B Solutions experts embedded in-country, it can partner to develop solutions with greater agility, tapping quickly into emerging trends with a deep understanding of local palates. 

Discover much more about what ofi F&B Solutions has to offer at ofi.com. 

About ofi’s spices portfolio

As the world’s number one producer of dried garlic and onions, as well as a global leader for chiles, pepper and tropical spices, ofi’s worldwide network and boots-on-the ground presence across origins ensures the new spice blends are sourced from the best raw ingredients all year round. The company maintains strong growing practices, storage standards, and ingredient transportation by working transparently with farmer-partners to offer higher-quality, sustainable spice solutions that food producers and their customers can rely on.

About Lisco

利思客 Lisco Barbecue Supply Chain is a comprehensive barbecue supply chain platform integrating the production and supply of barbecue products. Catering to the growing needs for “standardization, simplification, customization, and speed” in the barbecue industry, Lisco brings together the efficient cooperation of professional R&D, production, quality control and other teams, to provide customers with a one-stop barbecue supply chain service that integrates R&D, training, processing, distribution, and barbecue equipment through visual, professional and scientific methods. Making every effort to promote the development of the barbecue industry and empower the progress of the barbecue chain category. 

利思客烧烤供应链是集烧烤产品生产与供应为一体的综合性烧烤供应链平台。为解决烧烤行业 “标准化、简单化、定制化、快捷化”的需求，率先开放工厂，依托专业的研发、生产、品控等团队高效协作，通过可视化、专业化、科学化的方法，为客户提供集研发、培训、加工、配送、烧烤设备等为一体的一站式烧烤品类供应链服务，竭尽全力推动烧烤行业发展，赋能烧烤品类连锁化进度。

¹ 87% of the 300 Chinese consumers surveyed in September 2024 on skewered meat and barbecue culinary consumption in China are looking for improved taste, flavour, and quality. 

² As the world’s number one producer of dried garlic and onions, as well as a global leader for chiles, pepper, and tropical spices, ofi’s worldwide network and boots-on-the ground presence across origins, ensures the new spice blends are sourced from the best raw ingredients all year round.

³ CSC Shanghai joins ofi’s global innovation network, leveraging on the expertise of its Asia Regional CSC in Singapore and broader global network of CSCs (India, Chicago, and Amsterdam), IECs (Ingredients Excellence Centers) and COEs (Centers of Expertise) to co-create food and beverage solutions tailored to address our customers unique challenges and pain points.