Petra Foods - food industry company news 
SINGAPORE: Improved sales, margins boost Petra Q1
16 May 2013
Singapore-based confectioner Petra Foods today (16 May) reported higher underlying first-quarter profits thanks to improved sales and margins from what is now its core consumer products business.
INDONESIA: Cargill to build cocoa facility
7 May 2013
Cargill has started building a cocoa processing plant in Indonesia to meet regional demand for cocoa products.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
29 April 2013
just-food spoke with ABF CEO George Weston this week following the release of the firm's first-half figures. The chief executive spoke about the performance of and prospects for the firm's food operations. Elsewhere, Ocado dismissed reports of a potential takeover by Morrisons, while Nestle defended a trademark lawsuit it has filed against Petra Foods over the Singapore firm's Delfi Take-It chocolate bar.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food last week
29 April 2013
Associated British Foods grabbed the headlines this week - for good and tragic reasons. Twenty-four hours before a factory in Bangladesh that supplied ABF's discount clothing chain Primark, just-food discussed the Kingsmill bread owner's half-year results. Another UK-listed major, Unilever, this week reported its Q1 sales, which missed analyst estimates on weaker spreads and ice cream sales. Elsewhere, we analysed the return of GM to national UK headlines and China's attempts to improve food safety.
SINGAPORE: Petra hits out at Nestle Kit Kat lawsuit
25 April 2013
Chocolate and cocoa group Petra Foods has defended its Delfi Take-It chocolate bar after Swiss food giant Nestle filed a trademark lawsuit against the firm in Singapore.
On the money: Integration focus for Barry Callebaut
8 April 2013
Barry Callebaut plans to focus more on integrating recent acquisitions and supply deals this year than buying businesses or striking more supply deals, the chocolate group's CEO has told just-food.
SWITZ: Barry Callebaut H1 profits miss analyst forecasts
8 April 2013
Shares in Barry Callebaut, the world's largest B2B chocolate maker, fell today (8 April) after the Swiss group's first-half earnings fell below analyst estimates.
EXCLUSIVE: CAGE: Barry Callebaut brushes off concerns over Petra Foods
21 March 2013
B2B chocolate giant Barry Callebaut has sought to cool concerns over the recent performance of Singapore peer Petra Foods and the over-capacity in Asia's cocoa sector.
SINGAPORE: Chocolate charges melt Petra Foods FY profits
27 February 2013
Petra Foods has seen full-year profits slide by 57% due to difficult trading conditions and one-off charges related to its soon-to-be-sold cocoa ingredients business.
just the answer: Barry Callebaut marketing director for Western Europe, Sofie De Lathouwer
31 January 2013
Since selling its consumer units over the last few years, business-to-business chocolate maker Barry Callebaut has been treading a new path focused on its "core" business with industrial and artisanal customers. Michelle Russell caught up with Barry Callebaut marketing director for Western Europe, Sofie De Lathouwer at this year's ISM confectionery show in Cologne to find out more about its strategy for growth.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
21 January 2013
Horse meat is the topic that kept the just-food newsroom busy last week after food safety officials found horse meat had been used in the production of burgers in the UK and Ireland. Tesco was the first to announce the recall of some ranges of burgers, with other retailers quick to follow suit. Elsewhere, Flowers Food emerged as the "stalking horse" bidder for various Hostess Brands bread brands in the US, and in the UK just-food spoke with Thorntons CEO Jonathan Hart on the firm's second-quarter results and his plans for the confectionery firm going forward.
UPDATE: SWITZ: Barry Callebaut growth skewed to emerging markets
16 January 2013
Barry Callebaut expects emerging markets to increasingly contribute a greater proportion of group sales, driven by M&A and organic growth.
SWITZ: Barry Callebaut sees flat value sales on volume gains
16 January 2013
Barry Callebaut revealed today (16 January) that first-quarter sales volumes remained flat despite a "strong" increase in volumes.
The just-food review of 2012: Commodity swings remain part of landscape
18 December 2012
Volatility in global commodity markets remained a significant factor for the food industry during 2012. On the one hand, adverse weather conditions hit grain harvests causing prices to spike, while on the other, over-supply has meant cocoa and sugar prices have continued to fall. Katy Askew takes a look at some of the major developments on the commodities markets over the past 12 months.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
17 December 2012
Barry Callebaut CEO Juergen Steinemann last week insisted its acquisition of Petra Foods' cocoa ingredients unit will strengthen its future with the deal making it the world's largest processor of cocoa and high-quality cocoa powder. Elsewhere, the European Commission said it would come forward with ideas for a grocery code adjudicator by next autumn if no system of self-regulation is put into place. Parmalat, meanwhile, confirmed a raid on its offices over tax investigations, and David Heath, UK minister for environment, food and rural affairs said his department was working with the UK Government to identify export priority markets.
In the spotlight: Barry Callebaut believes in pricey Petra deal
13 December 2012
Increased exposure to emerging markets? Tick. Boost portfolio with more in-demand products? Tick. Barry Callebaut tried to outline the benefits of its move to buy Petra Foods' cocoa ingredients arm but the market winced at the price paid. Dean Best reports.
UPDATE: SINGAPORE: Petra deal will boost growth - Barry Callebaut
12 December 2012
Barry Callebaut CEO Juergen Steinemann has insisted the group's acquisition of Petra Foods' cocoa ingredients division will boost its growth as shares in the Swiss B2B chocolate firm fell.
SWITZ/SINGAPORE: Barry Callebaut buys Petra Foods' cocoa arm
12 December 2012
Barry Callebaut said today (12 December) it had become the world's largest cocoa processor after agreeing to buy Petra Foods' cocoa ingredients business for US$950m.
SINGAPORE: Weak chocolate demand hits Petra Foods Q3
9 November 2012
"Weak" global consumption of chocolate hit profits at Singapore chocolate and cocoa group Petra Foods in the third quarter.
SINGAPORE: Brands boost profits at chocolate firm Petra Foods
8 August 2012
Singapore-based consumer and B2B chocolate and cocoa group Petra Foods has booked an increase in half-year profits despite lower sales.
SINGAPORE: Petra Foods incorporates Ecuador subsidiary
19 July 2012
Petra Foods, the Singapore-based consumer and B2B chocolate and cocoa group, has incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary into its organisational structure.
SINGAPORE: Petra Foods downbeat over low cocoa prices
10 May 2012
Petra Foods, the Singapore-based consumer and B2B chocolate and cocoa group, has sounded a warning over the prospect of lower cocoa prices on its ingredients business this year.
SINGAPORE: Petra Foods appoints Seok Bee to COO role
2 March 2012
Singapore-based Petra Foods has promoted its cocoa ingredients director to the role of chief operating officer.
SINGAPORE: Cocoa ingredients drive Petra Foods profits
24 February 2012
Strong demand for customised cocoa ingredients boosted Singapore-based Petra Foods' profits in 2011.
SINGAPORE: Ex-Fraser & Neave CEO Koh joins Petra Foods board
19 December 2011
Koh Poh Tiong, the former chief executive of Singapore food and beverage group Fraser & Neave, has taken a seat on the board of local cocoa and chocolate maker Petra Foods.
SINGAPORE: Petra Foods posted Q3 profit
10 November 2011
Singapore-based Petra Foods has today (10 November) posted a rise in third-quarter profit, boosted by higher own-brand sales.
SINGAPORE: Petra Foods names director of cocoa sustainability
26 August 2011
Cocoa manufacturer Petra Foods has appointed Marc Donaldson to the newly-created role of director of cocoa sustainability.
SINGAPORE: Cocoa ingredients boost Petra Foods Q2 profits
12 August 2011
Singapore-based Petra Foods has reported a jump in quarterly profits on better sales and improved earnings from cocoa ingredients.
INDONESIA: Nestle, Petra Foods to join forces on sustainable cocoa
27 July 2011
Nestle and Singapore-listed cocoa ingredients maker Petra Foods have agreed to work together on improving cocoa production in Indonesia.
SINGAPORE: Petra Foods posts Q1 net profit jump
12 May 2011
Singapore-based cocoa manufacturer Petra Foods posted a jump in net profit during the first quarter as it reported strong sales growth over the quarter.
