Top stories on just-food this week

By: just-food.com | 29 May 2009

The increasingly sour row over milk prices in Europe continued to grab your attention this week amid news the EU could provide some help to farmers. The latest numbers from Heinz, Northern Foods and Greencore also proved popular - especially as a bullish Greencore signalled its plans to expand further in the US. And the speculation surrounding Danone's reported interest in Parmalat also raised eyebrows. These are the top ten stories on just-food this week.

UPDATE: EU: Early subsidy payments "not enough" - dairy farmers
With dairy farmers across Europe warning that the industry is in jeopardy, the European Milk Board said today (26 May) that an EU concession to protestors - to consider early subsidy payments - is "not enough" to safeguard the farmers' future.

US: Emerging markets help Heinz
US ketchup maker HJ Heinz has posted a jump in full-year revenues and income, boosted by gains in emerging markets and US consumer products.

UK: Northern Foods profit drops on pension costs
UK food group Northern Foods today posted a drop in full-year pre-tax profits, as pension costs overshadowed sales gains.

UPDATE: US: Greencore CEO eyes US expansion
Greencore, the Irish food group, is looking to further expand its business in the US as it looks to build on its "positive momentum" 12 months after it entered the market.

FRANCE/ITALY: Parmalat up on Danone takeover talk
Shares in Italian dairy firm Parmalat rose in morning trade today (27 May) after reports surfaced in the Italian press that French dairy giant Danone could be mulling a takeover move.

ICELAND: Bakkavor losses narrow on sales gain
Icelandic food group Bakkavör has posted narrowing first-quarter losses as sales rose over the three-month period, despite a tough trading environment.

FRANCE: Poultry firm LDC strikes deal to buy Arrivé
French poultry group LDC has struck a tentative deal to buy smaller rival Groupe Arrivé.

US: Weak demand, forex cost Costco
Lower demand for non-food items and foreign exchange have weighed on Costco's third-quarter figures, the US wholesaler said today (28 May).

NETHERLANDS: Euro weighs on Spar sales
The strength of the euro has weighed on annual revenues at Spar International, the Netherlands-based retailer has revealed.

NETHERLANDS: Cargill opens chocolate plant
US food ingredients giant Cargill today (28 May) opened a chocolate production facility in the Netherlands.

Sectors: Baby food, Bakery, Chilled foods, Commodities & ingredients, Confectionery, Dairy, Emerging markets, Fresh produce, Frozen, Health & wellness, Meat & poultry, Natural & organic, NPD & innovation, Retail, Seafood, Snacks

Companies: Greencore, Northern Foods, Parmalat, Danone, HJ Heinz, Bakkavor, Spar International, Cargill

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Top stories on just-food this week

GM waded back into view this week with a report from the UK's Food Standards Agency detailing consumers' current wishes on the issue. Formal appointments were made for the European Commission, including a new agriculture chief, while Waitrose boss Mark Price was named as a contender for the top job at Morrisons. And Bakkavor and Greencore, two key players in private label, issued their latest numbers and claimed the market was seeing a recovery in convenience food. These were the top ten stories on just-food this week.

Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words

With just a month left of 2009, our thoughts are turning to what shape the food industry landscape will take as we enter a new decade. This week, HJ Heinz, meat giant Tyson Foods and Russian dairy business Wimm-Bill-Dann all issues their prognosis for the economy and consumer confidence. Woolworths Ltd, Australia's largest retailer, claimed the country was in better shape than other economies around the world, while in an exclusive interview with just-food, Greencore boss Patrick Coveney detailed how the private-label group had navigated the downturn.

The just-food interview - Patrick Coveney, Greencore

Greencore is a private-label giant with a business that spans from sandwiches to sauces and from pickles to puddings. However, with operations centred on convenience, the last year has been a tricky one for the Ireland-based group and its chief executive Patrick Coveney. In this month's just-food interview, Dean Best spoke with Coveney to find out how Greencore had navigated the downturn and what plans they have for the US - a fledgling but key market for the business.

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