Quick answer
ASEAN is the natural home for Asian-cuisine sauces and seasonings. Thailand leads in curry pastes, chilli and sweet chilli sauce, fish sauce, coconut-based cooking bases and retort-stable sachets. Vietnam is strong in fish sauce, chilli sauce and pepper. Indonesia covers sambal, kecap manis and spice blends. Private-label MOQs typically start at 3,000-10,000 units per SKU, with 60-90 days for a first run including label approval.
Where to buy what
| Country | Category strength | Typical MOQ | Formats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | Curry paste, sweet chilli, fish sauce, coconut cooking bases, seasoning powders | 3,000-6,000 units/SKU | Glass jar, PET bottle, retort pouch, sachet, foodservice pail |
| Vietnam | Fish sauce, chilli sauce, black and white pepper, cinnamon | 5,000-10,000 units | PET, glass, bulk drum |
| Indonesia | Sambal, kecap manis, nutmeg, clove, spice blends | 5,000 units | Glass jar, sachet, bulk |
| Malaysia | Halal-certified pastes and marinades | 5,000 units | Bottle, pouch |
Spec sheet essentials
- Recipe and target profile — heat level (Scoville range), Brix, salt, pH, viscosity, colour reference
- Shelf life and process — hot fill, pasteurised or retort; validated shelf life with accelerated test data
- Clean label limits — permitted preservatives, no MSG, no artificial colour, allergen policy
- Pack — fill weight, closure and tamper band, induction seal, label material and adhesive suitable for chilled or wet handling
- Coding — lot code, best-before format, traceability back to raw batch
Certifications your buyers will demand
- Food safety — HACCP plus BRCGS, IFS or FSSC 22000 for supermarket listings
- US — FDA facility registration, FSVP compliance, Prior Notice, acidified-food process filing where applicable, and a Nutrition Facts panel
- EU / UK — approved establishment where required, EU-format label with allergens emphasised, health claims controlled
- AU / NZ — FSANZ labelling, country of origin claim, imported-food inspection scheme risk category
- Optional — Halal (JAKIM, MUI), Kosher, organic (USDA NOP / EU), non-GMO, Fairtrade
How pricing actually works
The recipe rarely drives cost; packaging and fill size do. Glass and closures often exceed 35-45% of FOB on small jars. Chilli, coconut and pepper prices swing seasonally, so ask for a validity window and an index clause instead of a fixed annual price. Label plates and mould costs are usually USD 200-1,200, plus 2-4 paid formulation trials.
Launch sequence for a private-label SKU
- Benchmark sample sent to the co-packer with your target profile
- 2-3 lab trials, then sensory approval and a signed golden sample
- Shelf-life and micro testing, nutrition analysis by an accredited lab
- Artwork built to destination-market rules and checked by a labelling reviewer
- First production with a pre-shipment inspection: fill weight, seal integrity, torque, pH, coding and label placement
- Retain samples kept at origin and destination for shelf-life monitoring
Landed cost example
| Line | 200 g curry paste jar, 12,000 units, Thailand to UK |
|---|---|
| FOB unit | USD 0.92 |
| Ocean freight and local charges | USD 0.11 |
| Duty and levies | USD 0.05 |
| Testing, inspection, documents | USD 0.06 |
| Landed | USD 1.14 per jar |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a co-packer match my existing recipe?
Usually yes within 2-3 trials, if you send a physical benchmark sample and accept small ingredient substitutions that keep the sensory profile.
What shelf life is realistic?
12-24 months for hot-filled acidified sauces, up to 24 months for retort pouches, 24 months for dry seasonings in barrier packs.
Do I need my own FDA or FSA registration?
You need an importer of record with the correct obligations: FSVP in the US, and food-business registration in the UK or EU. The factory registration is separate and belongs to the manufacturer.
How small can a first order be?
Around 3,000 units per SKU in Thailand. Smaller trials exist but the per-unit cost rises sharply, mostly because of packaging minimums.
Work with TUSKO
One PO with us covers formulation trials, certifications, labelling review, inspection and shipping under a single accountable contact, with our fees already built into the landed cost.
- WhatsApp Business: @tuskoconsulting — reply within 12-24 hours
- Email: contact@tuskoconsulting.com