Top stories on just-food this week

Keen watchers of the US meat sector should not count their chickens just yet but the mounting speculation that Brazilian giant JBS is set to bid for ailing poultry group Pilgrim's Pride has proved this week's top story on just-food. The news that Auchan and Tesco could be ready to make a move for Ukraine retailer O'Key has also set tongues wagging, while retail eyes have also been watching the tussle over UK group Nisa-Today's. The start of Sodiaal's exclusive talks to buy ailing French dairy firm Entremont Alliance also helped give this week's leading stories on the site an M&A flavour.

BRAZIL/US: JBS coy as Pilgrim's Pride talk mounts
JBS, the Brazil-based beef processing giant, has issued an oblique statement in response to mounting speculation about its possible interest in US poultry group Pilgrim's Pride.

UKRAINE: Auchan, Tesco seen bidding for O'Key
French retailer Auchan and Tesco, the UK's largest retailer, are among the potential bidders for Ukrainian hypermarket group O'Key, just-food understands.

UK: Nisa-Today's rejects takeover bid
UK buying cooperative Nisa-Today's has rejected a takeover approach from Bibby Line Group, arguing that it would not have been in the best interests of its member-shareholders.

FRANCE: Sodiaal in exclusive Entremont merger talks
French dairy group Sodiaal and embattled local peer Entremont Alliance have entered exclusive merger negotiations.

NETHERLANDS: Declining demand hits FrieslandCampina H1
The economic downturn and continued falling demand has caused dairy selling prices and volumes to drop, denting FrieslandCampina's first-half revenues, the company has said.

DENMARK: Arla keeps forecast despite H1 profit fall
Danish dairy giant Arla Foods has posted a steep fall in first-half profits after turnover dropped by almost DKK2bn (US$381.9m).

NZ: Fonterra auction sees dairy prices gain 24%
Fonterra has revealed that wholemilk powder prices jumped 24% in its latest online auction.

RUSSIA: Nestle eyes expansion in breakfast cereals
Nestle Russia is planning to invest more than RUB650m (US$21m) to expand capacity at its Cereal Partners factory in Russia, the company has told just-food.

FINLAND: Job losses amid Fazer overhaul
Finland-based bakery and candy group Fazer is to merge key units and revamp its international operations in a series of moves that will lead to the loss of 250 jobs.

US: Del Monte raises guidance on Q1 gains
Del Monte Foods has raised its full-year outlook after posting an increase in first-quarter net sales and earnings.