Latest dairy news and analysis articles 
The cream of the coverage in milk, butter and cheese
US: Wal-Mart logo to highlight healthier food
7 February 2012
Wal-Mart Stores plans to put a logo on some of its private-label foods that it claims will help US consumers identify healthier food.
GERMANY/UK: Muller seals Wiseman takeover
7 February 2012
German dairy giant Müller has declared its takeover bid for Robert Wiseman Dairies "unconditional" after securing almost 94% of the UK milk supplier's shares.
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.
2012 - Supermarket battles to drive supplier M&A
6 February 2012
Some of the world's largest retailers struggled in 2011, which promises to mean even more intense competition in 2012. What could this mean for suppliers? Ultimately, it could mean the industry witnesses more consolidation this year.
Best bits: Food makers look ahead to another tough year
6 February 2012
2011 was a year of low consumer confidence, pressure from raw material costs and ever-increasing demands from retailers. This year is set to see more of the same.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
6 February 2012
Hershey and Unilever were among the major food manufacturers that this week were the first to report their 2011 financial results. Unilever's profits inched up 1% and CEO Paul Polman pointed to the performance of its home and personal care operations - casting some questions over the prospects of its food operations. In the retail sector, this week saw the long-speculated appointment of a new CEO at Carrefour and analysts expressed concern about the outlook for Ocado despite narrowing full-year losses.
UK: Unilever agrees to union talks over pension changes
3 February 2012
Unilever is set to meet again with union officials to discuss moves to change the company's UK pension scheme, plans that have enraged staff and led to a series of strikes.
In the spotlight - Question marks over Unilever's food unit return
3 February 2012
Unilever's food division has been under the microscope in recent months, with a series of disposals and growth in many categories slow, lagging behind its more buoyant non-food businesses As Michelle Russell writes, this week, as Unilever reported its 2011 results, the scrutiny returned.
just-food's research round-up
3 February 2012
The US and Russian ice cream markets, and bread and baked goods in Europe and the US are the sector's featured in this week's just-food research round-up.
UK: Unilever defends food performance after Q4 volume slide
2 February 2012
Unilever CEO Paul Polman has defended the performance of the consumer goods giant's food business after the recent decline in the division's sales volumes accelerated in the last three months of 2011.
NETHERLANDS: FrieslandCampina to buy Balkans dairies Imlek, Mlekara Subotica
2 February 2012
Dairy giant FrieslandCampina has signed a deal to buy Balkans processors Imlek and Mlekara Subotica.
SWITZ: Acquisitions and foreign growth boost Emmi profits
2 February 2012
Swiss dairy Emmi has booked an increase in full-year sales, boosted by recent acquisitions and international growth.
UK: Trading mixed at Dairy Crest
2 February 2012
Dairy Crest, the UK's largest dairy processor, today (2 February) a mixed trading update with branded sales boosting revenue but profits from its dairies division under pressure.
GERMANY: Dairy giant DMK forecasts sales jump
2 February 2012
German dairy giant DMK has forecast that its 2011 revenues will be over 12% higher than Nordmilch and Humana, the two firms that merged in March to form the company, achieved in 2010 combined.
JAPAN: Kirin Holdings chops profits forecast
2 February 2012
Kirin Holdings has cut its full-year profits forecast by 74% due to impairment charges.
CANADA: Brewing, retail exec Coallier to be Agropur CEO
2 February 2012
Canadian dairy co-op Agropur has named director and consumer goods veteran Robert Coallier as its new chief executive.
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.
UK: Premier Foods in GBP50m ad spend
30 January 2012
Major UK food manufacturer Premier Foods plc has doubled its marketing spend to more than GBP50m (US$78.3m) in a bid to drive growth.
UK: Kraft readies Philadelphia, Cadbury spread launch
30 January 2012
Kraft Foods UK has brought its Cadbury and Philadelphia brands together to launch a chocolate-flavoured cheese spread.
UK: General Mills adds to Haagen-Dazs range
30 January 2012
General Mills is to extend its Häagen-Dazs ice cream range in the UK to include a Mint Leaves and Chocolate variant.
UK: Jam maker Duerr's eyes Premier's Hartley's unit
27 January 2012
UK jam maker Duerr's has signalled its interest in buying Premier Foods plc's Hartley's business, which is rumoured to be among the latest of the food giant's assets up for sale.
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.
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.
UK: McNeil adds to Benecol yoghurt range
26 January 2012
McNeil Nutritionals has added to the range of Benecol yoghurts on sale in the UK.
UK: Unilever revamps flagship spreads brand Flora
25 January 2012
Unilever has decided to relaunch its Flora brand in the UK after developing technology it claims will create a better-tasting product.
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).
FRANCE: Carrefour embarks on price offensive
24 January 2012
Carrefour has launched a price-guarantee campaign in France as it looks to revitalise its struggling domestic sales.
US: Kraft launches cheese advertising campaign
24 January 2012
Kraft Foods is spending around US$50m on a marketing campaign in the US for a clutch of cheese brands.
