Editor's choice: highlights on just-food this week

Fonterra confirmed plans this week that it is in talks over a joint venture in cheese and whey production in Europe. Meanwhile, ConAgra has affirmed that its sights are still firmly set on acquiring Ralcorp. Wal-Mart has continued to see its top executives leave, with the third executive leaving its Chinese unit, while its UK division, Asda, lost its COO Simon King. Click on the headlines for more.

NZ/EUROPE: Fonterra eyes European joint ventures
New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra has confirmed to just-food that it is in talks with European dairy processors over a joint venture in cheese and whey production.

On the money: ConAgra eyes acquisitions, and Ralcorp
ConAgra has told investors that it is looking to add to the company's portfolio both organically and internationally, and that it remains interested in purchasing Ralcorp.

CHINA: Third executive quits Wal-Mart's local unit
A third executive has left Wal-Mart Stores' business in China, the world's largest retailer has confirmed.

UK: Asda COO King leaves company
Asda has confirmed today (20 June) that chief operating officer Simon King has left the company.

just the answer - Anne-Laure Follie, Tyrrells
UK crisp manufacturer Tyrrells has seen exponential growth from its international operations, with sales from the division up 50% to GBP7.5m (US$11.9m) in the last year. Sales are set to double this year to GBP15m. In this month's just the answer interview, Petah Marian speaks to the company's recently appointed international marketing manager Anne-Laure Follie about Tyrrells' international ambitions.

GM cloud hangs over responsible soy scheme
The Round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS) is up and running after five years of development with the first purchases of certified soy being made this month. But, Ben Cooper writes, the fact that RTRS allows GM soy to be certified has affected the programme's credibility with environmental NGOs.

FRANCE: G20 ministers back tougher commodities regulation
Agriculture ministers from the G20 nations have backed tougher regulation of food commodities markets, as part of an action plan to tackle price volatility for food and crops.

US: Whole Foods Market eyes US store growth
Whole Foods Market has said that it aims to eventually have around 1,000 stores in the US after telling analysts that it has the cash to expand.

FRANCE/BRAZIL: Carrefour HQ raided over "CBD merger talks"
Casino has confirmed that balliffs and IT experts raided Carrefour's headquarters on two separate occasions in search of documents establishing that its local rival was in merger talks with Brazilian retailer CBD.

SPAIN: Bankrupt food group Nueva Rumasa investigated for fraud
Bankrupt Spanish food maker Nueva Rumasa has become the subject of a fraud investigation by the country's highest court.