Latest commodities & ingredients news and analysis articles

The just-food interview part one: Dairy Crest CEO Mark Allen

24 May 2013

Dairy Crest has said it has had a "transformational" year, characterised by an increased focus on its domestic business and a drive to boost efficiency. The company is now plotting a number of investments designed to grow both the top and bottom line. In a two-part just-food interview, Katy Askew spoke to CEO Mark Allen about how Dairy Crest is improving its cost base and shifting to higher margin products.

CAMEROON: Ferrero eyes Cameroon cocoa development

23 May 2013

Italian confectioner Ferrero has said it is looking at development opportunities in Cameroon.

just-food's research round-up: Baby food in central Europe, biscuits in India

23 May 2013

The latest batch of reports from the just-food research store includes baby food markets in central Europe, biscuits in India, and UK bread production.

CHINA: Arla positive about Mengniu's Danone JV

22 May 2013

Arla Foods has insisted there is "no conflict" between its venture with Mengniu and the Chinese dairy's planned new partnership with Danone.

SPAIN: Deoleo sells Moltuandújar stake to Sovena

22 May 2013

Spanish olive oil producer Deoleo has sold its 50% stake in its Moltuandújar joint venture to partner Sovena, the Portuguese group.

IRELAND: Glanbia promotes finance chief to CEO role

21 May 2013

Glanbia CFO Siobhán Talbot is to replace the Irish food group's chief executive, John Moloney, after he announced his intention to retire a year early.

The week ahead - M&S, Dairy Crest FYs, Hormel Foods H1s

20 May 2013

UK meat processor Cranswick, dairy group Dairy Crest and Marks and Spencer, perhaps the most scrutinised name on the country's high street, are all set to announce annual results next week. In the US, Spam owner Hormel Foods will post its half-year results.

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

20 May 2013

The week ended on a high note for Morrisons last week after it announced a venture to launch into the online channel with Ocado. The deal has again fuelled speculation that the deal could upset Ocado's current arrangement with Waitrose. Other deals this week included the acquisition of US baby food firm Happy Family by Danone. just-food also spoke with founder of Amy's Kitchen, Amy Berliner about its growth plans.

just-food's research round-up: the CIVETS markets, packaged food in the US

17 May 2013

The latest batch of reports from the just-food research store includes emerging food and drinks markets, packaging for an ageing population and packaged food in the US.

In the spotlight: Wrigley wins FDA plaudits amid caffeine scrutiny

16 May 2013

At first it appeared the villain of the piece with the launch of its Alert Energy Caffeine Gum, which prompted an FDA review of caffeine in foods. However, Wrigley was subsequently praised by the regulator for showing "leadership" when it halted production. So far, however, no other food companies have shown that level of support for the FDA's move. Ben Cooper reports.

SPAIN: Natra pledges 100% certified cocoa sourcing

16 May 2013

Spanish chocolate and natraceuticals firm Natra has committed to sourcing 100% certified cocoa by 2020.

COTE D'IVOIRE: Ajinomoto opens repacking seasoning plant

16 May 2013

Japanese food maker Ajinomoto has started full-scale operations at a repacking plant for umami seasoning in the Côte d'Ivoire.

SINGAPORE: Grain volumes boost Olam earnings, sales

15 May 2013

Singapore agribusiness giant Olam International saw profit and revenues climb in the first nine months of its financial year as sales volumes increased at its grains business.

NZ: Synlait Milk considers IPO

14 May 2013

New Zealand dairy ingredients and infant formula firm Synlait Milk, in which China's Bright Food owns 51%, is considering listing on the stock market.

The week ahead - Wal-Mart Q1s, Post Holdings H1, ProTerra conference

13 May 2013

US breakfast cereal group Post Holdings kicks off a relatively quieter week of results with its half-year numbers on Monday. On Tuesday, meat giants Marfig and JBS will report on how it fared in the first three months of the year - as will Wal-Mart on Thursday. The week also includes an international conference in the Netherlands looking at the sustainable cultivation of soy.

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

13 May 2013

The quarterly results continued to roll in this week and we listened to a number of CEOs talk about the challenges and opportunities they face in 2013. Elsewhere, just-food covered Hofex, the largest food and hospitality tradeshow in Asia-Pacific, where we spoke with UK SMEs about their international ambitions. Retailer Delhaize Group has also begun the search for a new CEO following the resignation of Pierre-Olivier Beckers.

UK: Industry targets food waste, carbon with new pledge

9 May 2013

Manufacturers including Nestle and Mars, as well as retailers like Sainsbury's and Marks and Spencer, have pledged to further cut food waste and carbon emissions in the UK.

IRELAND/CHINA: Glanbia, Bright Food mull tie-up but no deal yet

9 May 2013

Irish food group Glanbia today (9 May) confirmed it is working with Bright Food to look into potential ventures in the Chinese firm's home market but brushed off reports of a deal.

NIGERIA: Olam forms noodle JV with Sanyo Foods

9 May 2013

Singapore agribusiness giant Olam International has joined forces with Japan's Sanyo Foods to manufacture and distribute instant noodles in Nigeria.

CANADA: SunOpta sees Q1 margin hit

8 May 2013

Canadian food group SunOpta has booked a drop in first-quarter earnings, despite "record" revenues.

NZ: Dairy firm Synlait invests in lactoferrin production

8 May 2013

New Zealand dairy Synlait Milk has announced plans to invest US$15m in upgrading its lactoferrin production.

SINGAPORE: Wilmar Q1 profit climbs

8 May 2013

Singapore agribusiness giant Wilmar International has booked an increase in first-quarter earnings and offered a confident outlook for the remainder of the year.

ISRAEL: G. Willi-Food reports "robust" Q1

8 May 2013

Kosher food specialist G. Willi-Food said it has recorded another "robust" quarter, with "strong" sales growth and an increase in profits.

EU: Brussels proposes reform, tougher fines after horsemeat saga

7 May 2013

EU food safety laws are facing reform under new proposals from the European Commission, which wants to "simplify and strengthen" controls in the wake of the horsemeat contamination saga.

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.

Sustainability Watch - International Finance Corporation's third-party lending

7 May 2013

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the division of the World Bank that lends to private corporations, is expanding its profile in the agribusiness sector. In the second part of this Sustainability Watch, Ben Cooper examines IFC lending through third parties.

US/CANADA: Cargill, Parrish & Heimbecker form grain JV

7 May 2013

Cargill is to form a joint venture with Canadian grain firm Parrish & Heimbecker for the operation of the US agribusiness giant's facility in Ontario in Canada.

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

3 May 2013

Two UK-based firms were the subject of takeovers this week: R&R Ice Cream, Europe's largest own-label ice cream firm, changed hands after PAI Partners struck a deal to buy the business; and Hain Celestial snapped up UK organic baby food brand Ella's Kitchen.

US: Yoghurt maker Tula sues Kroger, Weber over "poor standards"

3 May 2013

US firm Tula Foods has filed a lawsuit against grocer Kroger and flavour supplier Weber Flavors, alleging the firms knowingly failed to follow production specifications when manufacturing yoghurt on its behalf.