SACRAMENTO (XINHUA) – Egg prices across the United States (US) have surged to their highest levels of the year, driven by widespread bird flu outbreaks and increased demand during the holiday season.
National wholesale prices for large eggs reached USD4.07 per dozen on Friday, marking a dramatic increase from USD1.1 early this year, according to data from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The price surge, driven by the impact of highly pathogenic avian influenza on commercial egg layer flocks, has been particularly severe in coastal markets, with California and New York experiencing the most significant increases.
The industry has seen devastating losses in laying hens, with 36.8 million table egg layers lost across 12 states in 2024 alone due to bird flu and facility fires, according to the USDA.
The timing of these losses has also been particularly concerning, with 38 per cent of total losses occurring since November 1, and 28 per cent in December, coinciding with the peak annual demand period for eggs.
Egg demand traditionally peaks during the holiday season when baking and cooking activities increase. The USDA noted that demand had strengthened as consumers finalised their holiday preparations, putting additional pressure on an already strained supply chain.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kameda Seika Lekh Juneja. PHOTO: AFP
AFP – The Indian-born head of one of Japan’s most famous snack brands has warned that the country must change its mindset and admit more immigrants to get the economy back to the glory of its boom years.
Politicians have struggled for years to recover from the so-called lost decades as a range of differing programmes have failed to kickstart growth, including an ultra-loose monetary policy and trillions of dollars in stimulus measures.
And as the new government of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba eyes a fresh drive to bring back the heyday of its global tech domination Lekh Juneja, the head of rice cracker giant Kameda Seika, said he worries his adopted country has lost its edge.
“Forty years ago I came to Japan because it was close to number one in gross domestic product… it was booming,” the biotech scientist told AFP at Kameda’s headquarters in Japan’s rice heartland of Niigata.
But at some point “Japan thought ‘we have everything now’. And I think that the hungry spirit to (have) the guts to go global started disappearing a bit”.
Kameda’s expansion mirrored Japan’s postwar boom, increasing revenues tenfold between 1965 and 1974 and becoming synonymous with the nationally adored ‘senbei’ crackers in the process.
But the country that gave the world the Sony Walkman, the bullet train and Super Mario is no longer setting the pace in technology, overtaken by Silicon Valley, South Korea and China.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kameda Seika Lekh Juneja. PHOTO: AFPLekh chats with employees as they make rice crackers samples. PHOTO: AFP
In the late 1980s, Japanese firms dominated the world’s top 10 companies by market capitalisation. Today not one makes the list.
The population is ageing and projected to drop by almost a third in the next 50 years, and firms are already having problems filling vacancies. Although it has relaxed the rules in recent years, Japan has not turned in a big way to immigration as a solution.
The country “has no choice” but to allow in more immigrants, said Juneja, 72, who first came to Japan in 1984 and previously worked for a food ingredients maker and a pharmaceuticals firm.
“It’s not only the numbers. It’s also the mindset, the culture. We have to go global,” he said.
According to a recent study, Japan needs to more than triple its number of foreign workers to 6.88 million by 2040. Currently it’s on track to be almost a million short.
Since joining the firm Juneja has been trying to make Kameda more international as well as a “rice innovation company”.
In the testing centre for new products the employees rolling out dough and trying out new recipes and flavours include an American and a Vietnamese.
Language “is a big barrier. You bring people to Niigata and they don’t speak Japanese and it’s very difficult for them”, Juneja said.
“We need to change that. (If we employ people) who only speak and write Japanese we have very limited resources, very limited choices,” he warned.
Japan has very few foreign-born chief executive officers (CEO), and boardrooms are overwhelmingly male.
There are 13 female CEOs in Japan’s 1,600 top-listed firms, a Kyodo News survey showed in September.
“It’s very rare (for a foreigner) to become a CEO in a Japanese company,” Juneja said. “But look at the US.”
“There is Microsoft, there is Google, all these companies have Indian CEOs,” he said.
“I think Japan has to change… We are proud (in Japan) of our backgrounds. But I think flexibility and having people from overseas would be very critical for Japan.”
Not all the non-Japanese CEOs have had a smooth ride. In November the German chief of Olympus resigned after allegedly buying illegal drugs.
And in 2018 the Franco-Lebanese-Brazilian chief of Nissan Carlos Ghosn was arrested on suspicion of financial misconduct. He then escaped, in part by hiding in an audio equipment box.
“He didn’t generate a very good image for foreign CEOs here,” Juneja said. “But the difference between him and me is that I have got a Japanese passport.”
ANN/THE KOREA HERALD – SK Group and Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Chairman Chey Tae-won has reached out to global business leaders, reaffirming the resilience and stability of South Korea’s economic system amid ongoing challenges.
In a letter addressed to chamber of commerce leaders in 127 countries and 116 foreign ambassadors to South Korea, Chey underscored the nation’s efforts to navigate current economic difficulties while preparing for the 2025 APEC CEO Summit. The high-profile event is set to take place in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, under the theme ‘Bridge, Business, Beyond’.
“Despite a series of challenges, the Korean economy continues to function normally,” Chey wrote. “With a high level of resilience and a stable market economy, we will overcome the current difficulties quickly.”
Chey, who serves as the chair of the upcoming summit, emphasised the significance of global collaboration through APEC, advocating for active participation in the summit as a platform to foster prosperity across the Asia-Pacific region.
“The KCCI, together with companies and the government, will ensure the 2025 APEC CEO Summit serves as a significant milestone for the prosperity of APEC nations and their entrepreneurs,” he added.
Scheduled for October 28-31, 2025, the summit aims to convene global CEOs, leading experts, and senior economic leaders to discuss transformative topics such as energy transition, digital innovation, artificial intelligence and healthcare. Director general of the APEC CEO Summit preparatory office at the KCCI Lee Sung-woo stated that the chamber is actively leveraging its global network to reinforce South Korea’s image as a stable and forward-looking economy.
By highlighting Korea’s economic resilience and its proactive approach to hosting the APEC CEO Summit, the KCCI and its partners are positioning the nation as a key player in shaping the future of regional and global commerce.
PHNOM PENH (BERNAMA) – Sarus cranes are not just a symbol of natural beauty, they are now critical in Cambodia’s wildlife narrative.
Once hunted by poachers, these majestic birds are breathing new life into one of their favourite homes in Kampong Trach in the eastern part of the Kingdom.
The Sarus Crane (Grus Antigone), the tallest flying bird at over 1.5 metres tall, redefines its role in Cambodia’s ecology and economy.
Donning a red patch on their necks that adds elegance, these birds are facing a high risk of extinction in the wild due to rapid urbanisation, lack of wetland habitats, human exploitation and the effects of pollutants.
Interestingly, Sarus Cranes have struck a deal with local farmers to protect their wetland habitat and food supply during the winter.
The innovative Crane RiceTM idea was initiated by NatureLife Cambodia in 2021 to encourage the recovery of the Sarus Crane in Kampong Trach.
The birds are now helping farmers improve their income by allowing their images to be printed on rice bags, which can be sold at a premium price in the local market – about five per cent to 7.5 per cent higher than normal rice.
PHOTO: ENVATOPHOTO: ENVATO
Farmers, in return, support the well-being of Sarus Cranes by setting aside part of their paddy for the birds to feed on, using fewer pesticides in their paddy fields and avoiding encroachment on protected areas or stealing their eggs.
NatureLife Cambodia’s Chief Executive Officer Bou Vorsak told Bernama that this threatened species are important to the ecology but facing a dramatic decline in Indochina and Southeast Asia in the last decade.
According to last year’s census, they declined from 1,000 to 480 birds, particularly in Vietnam and Thailand.
However, he said Cambodia still maintains a healthy wild population with 180 birds.
“So we created the Crane Rice initiative to benefit Sarus Cranes and the local community.
The aim is to provide a safe habitat for the Sarus Cranes in the rice fields, and safe food as they feed on particular varieties of rice native to the area.
“We provide premium prices for the community that collaborates with us and they must follow some strict criteria like no hunting, leaving five per cent of rice after harvesting for the cranes to eat, reducing chemical use by at least 30 per cent (in their rice fields) and applying sustainable agriculture techniques,” said Vorsak.
In addition, farmers are given free organic fertiliser and free rice seeds to plant in the Crane RiceTM areas.
Today, some 120 families in Kampong Trach in Kampot province are involved in saving the birds on their 135-hectare rice fields.
“These birds are important for their ecological values and we need to protect them. They can alert the health of the ecological system in areas like grasslands or rice fields where they (forage).
“If the birds don’t visit these areas, then we know the ecology of the area has changed. Maybe because of high use of pesticides or habitat has changed, or there is no food for them anymore,” Vorsak explained. Cambodia’s northern and eastern plains are popular breeding grounds for the birds – nesting in Ratanakiri, Mondulkiri and Preah Vihear provinces, and after breeding they migrate to grassland along the Mekong Delta and Tonle Sap Lake.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature listed Sarus Crane on its Red List of Threatened Species as ‘Vulnerable’ – which could face extinction if not protected.
ABOVE & BELOW: A pedestrian walks past a luxury and niche perfume brand, in Paris; and perfumes on display. PHOTO: AFP
PARIS (AFP) – They don’t advertise and they are largely unknown to the general public but niche perfumes are able to command prices of hundreds of dollars from men and women seeking to stand out.
Produced in small batches with high-quality, natural or rare ingredients, niche perfumes are becoming big business even while retaining their exclusive nature.
“We’ve had absolutely incredible growth,” said director of Parfums de Marly Julien Sausset.
The company posted more than 50 per cent sales growth in 2023 and expects more than 40 per cent growth this year to USD600 million in sales.
“People don’t want to smell like others anymore. They want to free themselves, affirm their identity,” Sausset told AFP.
Producers use high concentrations of unconventional ingredients to give their perfumes unique and complex scents, such as amber, bergamot, cedar wood, pink peppercorn, or rhubarb.
Niche perfumes account for 10 to 12 per cent of the overall market, according to Sausset.
ABOVE & BELOW: A pedestrian walks past a luxury and niche perfume brand, in Paris; and perfumes on display. PHOTO: AFPPHOTO: AFP
It will likely continue to expand as it is growing at 13 per cent per year while mass market perfumes are growing between three and five per cent.
Present in more than 80 countries, Parfums de Marly does most of its business in the United States, where a small bottle will set you back at least USD250.
It plans to open a boutique in Paris near the Champs-Elysees in a neighbourhood known as the Golden Triangle for its high concentration of luxury shops.
“What is important is to have a place where you can have your own salespeople do some storytelling and present the products,” Sausset said.
The brand was created in 2009 by Julien Sprecher, an aficionado of the 18th Century, when modern perfumery was created.
The name comes from the Chateau de Marly, located near Versailles, where Louis XV was known to throw lavish parties.
Niche perfumes tap into that sense of luxury.
Julie El Ghouzzi, who wrote a book on the luxury industry, said the sector developed in reaction to the popularisation of perfumes in the 1990s, when many brands seemed to resemble one another.
Some perfumers wanted to do something different, to “blow up the notion of masculine and feminine and developed perfumes around high-end ingredients, using the names of these ingredients and not brands”, she said. These independent perfumers “didn’t have the money to order custom bottles, so they used rectangular ones for all their perfumes. And it worked”, said El Ghouzzi.
Their success drove luxury houses like Dior and Cartier to imitate them with simple bottles to signal the product was niche, she added.
This “bottle code” has changed somewhat, with some perfumers now adopting more creative bottles, but beauty products giant L’Oreal still uses it for its niche perfumes.
But while the bottle signals to consumers a difference, it is what’s inside that sets them apart.
“When a consumer pays EUR400 for a bottle of orange blossom perfume, it is in our interest to use top-quality orange blossoms in high concentrations,” said L’Oreal’s global vice-president for scent science and fragrance design Karine Lebret.
“There isn’t a top brand without its niche perfume today,” said Eric Briones, who wrote a book about luxury and Generation Z (people born between the late 1990s and early 2010s).
He said the Chinese market and Gen Z particularly like niche perfumes in contrast to other luxury goods.
Then there is the ultra-niche of bespoke perfumes.
Sylvaine Delacourte, who previously created perfumes for Guerlain, now has her own line of perfumes but also offers to create made-to-order fragrances.
A two-hour meeting is set up with customers to take a “trip in their olfactory memory”.
After that, a unique fragrance is created over several months. The price: EUR20,000 (USD21,000) for two litres.
Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman during the 165th Munajat Night. PHOTO: MORA
Reciting Surah Ad-Dukhan is a meaningful act of devotion that seeks Allah the Almighty’s mercy and strengthens faith, said Head of the Religion and Morality Unit under the Welfare Body for Brunei Students in Egypt Ahmad Nasyaruddin bin Haji Abdul Rahim.
He highlighted this during a tazkirah at the 165th Munajat Night on Saturday, organised by the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
He also shared a hadith by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), promising a house in paradise for those who recite the surah on Friday evenings.
The tazkirah, Tadabbur Surah Ad-Dukhan, elaborated on the warnings within Surah Ad-Dukhan, a chapter in Al-Quran that highlights the consequences of disbelief and the rewards for faithfulness.
Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to Egypt Pengiran Haji Mohd Salimin bin Pengiran Mohd Daud led the recitation of Sayyidul Istighfar and Surah Al-Fatihah.
The recitation of Surah Ad-Dukhan was led by Muhammad Ekram ‘Afif bin Mohd Hanafi, a third-year student at Ma’had Qiraat Shoubra followed by Doa Munajat by President of the Welfare Body for Brunei Students in Egypt Muhammad Izz bin Masdi Wijaya.
The event concluded with Zikir Al-Maghfirah Wa Ar-Rahmah led by Awangku Muhammad Idris Fadhlee bin Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Mohammad Tashim, a first-year student at Al-Azhar University and Doa Peliharakan Sultan dan Negara Brunei Darussalam by welfare officer for Brunei students in Egypt Sheifol bin Haji Mohamad Heldy. The gathering included mosque takmir committee members, Bruneian students in Cairo and representatives from 43 mosques, suraus and religious halls in Brunei, with many joining virtually. – Fadley Faisal
Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman during the 165th Munajat Night. PHOTO: MORA
Patience and perseverance are important when facing challenges, said Religious Development Officer at the Islamic Da’wah Centre Haji Muhammad Naqib bin Haji Awang during the Masjidku Makmur, Negara Berkat programme at Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque yesterday.
Haji Muhammad Naqib reminded attendees, through a tazkirah ‘Semakin Gelap, Semakin Terang’ that the trials and tribulation given by Allah the Almighty signify His care and attention.
The programme aims to encourage consistency in mosques, especially for Subuh prayers, emphasising the greater rewards of communal worship. It also promotes starting the day with spiritual blessings before the weekend activities.- Fadley Faisal
A section of the attendees. PHOTO: MORAABOVE & BELOW: Religious Development Officer at the Islamic Da’wah Centre Haji Muhammad Naqib bin Haji Awang; and attendees at Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque. PHOTO: MORAPHOTO: MORA
The Brunei Darussalam Scouts Association contingent before their departure at the Brunei International Airport. PHOTO: PPNBD
A contingent from the Brunei Darussalam Scouts Association (PPNBD) departed for the 14th Malaysia National Scouts Jamboree and the 8th International Union of Muslim Scouts (IUMS) Peace Jamboree being held at Millenium Park, Kota Kubu Bharu, Selangor, Malaysia from December 21 to 27.
The Brunei contingent is led by PPNBD International Commissioner Ritchie Siabu. Belait District Assistant Scout Commissioner (Junior Scouts) Mohammed Sufri @ Bohari bin Haji Sabli is serving as the Assistant Contingent Leader. The others are two leaders, three junior scouts and one venture.
A national flag handover ceremony took place before departure with Scouts PPNBD Chief Commissioner Haji Junaidi bin Haji Hussin officially handing the flag to the PPNBD International Commissioner. – Fadley Faisal
The Brunei Darussalam Scouts Association contingent before their departure at the Brunei International Airport. PHOTO: PPNBDThe national flag handover ceremony. PHOTO: PPNBD
ABOVE & BELOW: Photos show the Community-Based Disaster Risk Management briefing in progress. PHOTO: PPNBD
A Community-Based Disaster Risk Management briefing, organised by the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) in collaboration with the Brunei Darussalam Scouts Association (PPNBD), was held recently.
The briefing aimed to raise community awareness about the risks of natural disasters and prepare individuals to face such situations by taking appropriate and safe action.
It also highlighted the community’s role in disaster risk management, with the goal of increasing preparedness and capabilities when facing a disaster among scout leaders and members.
PPNBD President Dato Paduka (Ar) Haji Idris bin Haji Abas and Scouts Chief Commissioner Haji Junaidi bin Haji Hussin were present. Members of the National Scouts Council, Scout Commissioners, Assistant Scout Commissioners, Scout leaders as well as venture and rover scouts also attended the briefing. – Lyna Mohamad
ABOVE & BELOW: Photos show the Community-Based Disaster Risk Management briefing in progress. PHOTO: PPNBDPHOTO: PPNBD
ABOVE & BELOW: Photos show Ambassador of Vietnam to Brunei Darussalam Tran Anh Vu at the event. PHOTO: RATTAN HOUSE
Rattan House celebrated its second anniversary on Saturday, marking two years of promoting Southeast Asia’s cultural heritage.
The event, attended by Ambassador of Vietnam to Brunei Darussalam Tran Anh Vu, highlighted efforts in preserving traditional crafts and empowering artisans.
A highlight was the launch of the Southeast Asian Traditional Craft Encyclopedia (SEATCE), aimed at documenting, promoting and preserving regional crafts.
The project will support artisans with market access, skill development and digital tools while engaging youth to ensure the transfer of cultural knowledge.
“Tonight, we celebrate not only our past achievements but also the launch of a vision that belongs to all of us,” said founder and Chief Executive Officer Maisarah Nguyen. – Fadley Faisal
ABOVE & BELOW: Photos show Ambassador of Vietnam to Brunei Darussalam Tran Anh Vu at the event. PHOTO: RATTAN HOUSEPHOTO: RATTAN HOUSE
