Latest commodities & ingredients news and analysis articles 
From developments in food science to commodity prices
Confectionery, flavours, packaging: just-food's research round-up
8 February 2012
The chocolate sectors in perhaps the land of chocolate - Switzerland - and in the fast-growing emerging market of Vietnam are featured in this week's selection of reports from the just-food research store. A look at successful sustainability initiatives, the evolution of the flavours market in a downturn and the rise of nanotechnology in packaging are also highlighted.
BRAZIL: Acquisitive Frutarom buys flavours firm Mylner
7 February 2012
Frutarom is set to make its third acquisition of 2012 after signing a deal to buy Brazilian flavours firm Mylner.
Promo Tracker: Waitrose offers deepest promotions
7 February 2012
Waitrose's promotions offered consumers the highest saving on average, according to the latest data from the just-food Promo Tracker.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
6 February 2012
The appointment of a new CEO at Carrefour caused a flurry of comment throughout the industry, with pundits outlining what the new chief's priorities ought to be. Unilever and Kellogg were among manufacturers that announced annual results, while Hain Celestial, reporting its half-year numbers, said it saw a number of acquisition targets in the US. Elsewhere, suppliers expressed anger at a decision in Europe to block the use of new nutrition claims.
BELGIUM: Food industry signs RSPO palm oil pledge
3 February 2012
All palm oil present in food products destined for the Belgian market has to be sustainable by 2015, according to a new industry pledge.
2012 - CSR spotlight moves to water, supply chains
3 February 2012
Forecasting that sustainability will be a prominent subject in 2012 is hardly the boldest of predictions. But given the complexity and breadth of the sustainability arena, predicting what the hotspots will be during the coming 12 months is an altogether different proposition. There are some racing certainties, however.
US/SINGAPORE: Wilmar International invests in Blue Pacific Flavours
3 February 2012
Agribusiness giant Wilmar International has invested in US ingredients firm Blue Pacific Flavors.
JAPAN: Kikkoman sees Q3 improvement but cuts FY forecasts
3 February 2012
Japanese soy sauce maker Kikkoman Corp. has lowered its full-year earnings forecast, despite profit growth returning in the third quarter of its financial year.
US: Nut maker Sanfilippo Q2 profits up despite sales dip
2 February 2012
US nut maker John B. Sanfilippo & Son has reported a jump in quarterly profits despite a dip in revenue.
UK: Real Good Food Co. FY profits jump
1 February 2012
UK food ingredients and desserts supplier Real Good Food Co. has reported a jump in annual profits thanks to a focus on "value-added" business.
US: Stevia Corp enters into Southridge purchase deal
1 February 2012
Southridge Partners has secured an option to buy a stake in Stevia Corp.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
27 January 2012
The UK government this week launched a series of measures, drawn up with industry, to drive the food sector's growth overseas. The so-called export action plan came in the week that food and drink giant Princes announced a venture in Italy and UK confectioner Zetar opened its first sales office in Europe. Zetar's CEO outlined the company's Continental sales target to just-food and, in a further interview with a top executive, Spar International MD Dr Gordon Campbell told us about the symbol retailer's expansion plans in India.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
27 January 2012
Carrefour again grabbed the headlines this week, with speculation intensifying that there could be change of leadership at the company. just-food understands an announcement is due in days. Elsewhere in retail, Asda outlined its expansion plans in the UK and we spoke to the CEO of Spar International about the symbol group's ambitions in India. Meanwhile, Premier Foods admitted more jobs could be lost at the company, we took a look at why US baker Hostess Brands filed for Chapter 11 and, in our latest Sustainability Watch, we discussed HJ Heinz's CSR strategy.
US: McCormick 2012 profit forecast weighs on shares
26 January 2012
Shares in McCormick & Co. fell today (26 January) after the US-based spice maker issued a forecast for 2012 profits that was lower than Wall Street expected.
GLOBAL: Arla outlines 2012 investment plans
26 January 2012
Dairy giant Arla Foods plans to invest DKK1.88bn (US$333m) this year to increase capacity, improve efficiency and make the company more competitive.
IRELAND: Irish Dairy Board secures funds for expansion
26 January 2012
The Irish Dairy Board, the co-operative behind cheese and butter brand Kerrygold, has secured a fresh loan of EUR100m (US$131.7m) to fund its expansion.
FRANCE: Sugar prices sweeten Tereos FY profits
26 January 2012
High sugar prices have helped boost annual profits at French processor Tereos.
US/BRAZIL: Ingredients firm Sensient opens Sao Paulo facility
25 January 2012
US-based food ingredients group Sensient Technologies Corp. has opened a new "colour and flavour complex" in Brazil.
UK: Public health goes local in policy shake-up
24 January 2012
Local governments in the UK will have more responsibility for public health in a set of measures announced by the coalition government today (24 January).
GLOBAL: Barry Callebaut signs Unilever supply deal
23 January 2012
Swiss cocoa and chocolate maker Barry Callebaut has signed a deal to supply Unilever's ice cream business.
UK: Ingredients maker Ulrick & Short revamps test kitchen
23 January 2012
Ulrick & Short, a UK manufacturer and supplier of "clean label" ingredients, has overhauled its West Yorkshire facility.
UK: Merisant starts Pure Via sweetener ad push
20 January 2012
Sweetener firm Merisant has kicked off an advertising campaign for its stevia-based product Pure Via in the UK.
just-food's research round-up
20 January 2012
Flavours, health and wellness and ice cream are three sectors highlighted in this week's batch of featured reports from the just-food store.
EU: EU extends probe into Suedzucker's ED&F Man deal
19 January 2012
The European Commission has extended its investigation into a move from German sugar giant Südzucker to buy a stake in UK-based trader ED&F Man.
US: Fair Trade body overhauls certification criteria
19 January 2012
US accreditation body Fair Trade USA (FTUSA) has changed its labelling policy for Fair Trade products.
SWITZ: Barry Callebaut volume growth falls below target
18 January 2012
Barry Callebaut has expressed confidence that it would meet its financial forecasts in its current financial year despite its first-quarter volumes falling below target.
SWITZ: Barry Callebaut to supply Bimbo in Mexico
17 January 2012
Barry Callebaut is to supply bakery giant Grupo Bimbo with chocolate to use in products on sale in Mexico.
JAPAN: Soy sauce maker Kikkoman sets up office in India
17 January 2012
Japanese soy sauce giant Kikkoman has announced plans to set up its first representative office in India, the start of a campaign to encourage local people to incorporate its products in local cuisine.
ISRAEL/SLOVENIA: Frutarom acquires Etol flavours firm
17 January 2012
Israeli ingredients firm Frutarom has made its second acquisition this month with the purchase of Slovenia flavours firms Etol.
GLOBAL: Sugar prices continue to ease
16 January 2012
Global sugar prices have dropped back for the fifth consecutive month as a result of an expected global production surplus, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has said.
