Nutritional Outlook: What makes Asia-Pacific one of the leading markets for micronutrients?
According to a UNICEF report, 52 million children under the age of five live in the East Asia and Pacific region. In APAC, one in every two children suffers from some form of micronutrient deficiency. Micronutrient deficiency is one of the most prevalent health issues that many areas, primarily developing and underdeveloped areas, struggle with. Micronutrients, as the name implies, are needed in smaller amounts for the body’s general growth and nourishment, preventing any kind of deficiency. The most prevalent micronutrients include vitamins, minerals, selenium, copper, iodine, and others.
The underlying reason for APAC’s growing share of the micronutrient market is malnourishment. Iron, vitamin A, vitamin B12, zinc, and iodine deficiencies are common in APAC. Not only this, but the COVID-19 pandemic also increased demand for micronutrients as people began paying more attention to their general health and well-being.