Latest world foods news and analysis articles 
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just-food's research round-up: Baby food in central Europe, biscuits in India
22 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.
UK: Warburtons buys garlic bread firm Giles Foods
21 May 2013
Baker Warburtons has acquired UK garlic bread producer Giles Foods for an undisclosed sum.
CHINA: China Food Co. widens FY net loss
21 May 2013
China Food Co saw its net loss widen in 2012 as the company was hit with costs and loss of margin due to reduced revenues.
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.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food last week
20 May 2013
After UK organic baby food firm Ella's Kitchen was snapped up by a US buyer a fortnight ago, last week a peer across the pond revealed it agreed to sell to Danone, representing the Aptamil and Cow & Gate owner's move into the category.
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.
ITALY: Barilla FY profits slide
17 May 2013
Italian food group Barilla saw its profits slide in fiscal 2012 as continued economic uncertainty and rising raw material prices impacted earnings.
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.
UK: Bakkavor returns to profit in Q1
16 May 2013
Chilled foods supplier Bakkavor said it made a "good start" to 2013 as it moved to a profit in the first quarter.
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.
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.
BRICs and beyond: International SMEs testing the water at Hofex
7 May 2013
The rapidly expanding Chinese food sector has long been a focus for multinationals looking beyond developed western markets for expansion. However, it isn't just the international food Goliaths - with big bucks to spend on M&A or organic expansion - that are looking to China for growth. just-food caught up with some smaller enterprises hoping to tame the dragon at Hong Kong trade show Hofex - an event that prides itself of being the largest of its kind in Asia.
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.
Gluten free: The US market
30 April 2013
In addition to being one of the world's largest markets for gluten-free foods, the US continues to represent one of its fastest growing.
The week ahead - US retail conference; Kellogg, Kraft Q1s
29 April 2013
Wal-Mart, Kroger and Supervalu are among the US retailers presenting at a Barclays sector conference next week. The first-quarter results will continue to roll in, with Kellogg, Kraft Foods Group and Canadian retailer Loblaw part of a group of companies to publish numbers.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
29 April 2013
just-food spoke with ABF CEO George Weston this week following the release of the firm's first-half figures. The chief executive spoke about the performance of and prospects for the firm's food operations. Elsewhere, Ocado dismissed reports of a potential takeover by Morrisons, while Nestle defended a trademark lawsuit it has filed against Petra Foods over the Singapore firm's Delfi Take-It chocolate bar.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food last week
29 April 2013
Associated British Foods grabbed the headlines this week - for good and tragic reasons. Twenty-four hours before a factory in Bangladesh that supplied ABF's discount clothing chain Primark, just-food discussed the Kingsmill bread owner's half-year results. Another UK-listed major, Unilever, this week reported its Q1 sales, which missed analyst estimates on weaker spreads and ice cream sales. Elsewhere, we analysed the return of GM to national UK headlines and China's attempts to improve food safety.
Comment: Why it can be in a grocer's interest to help a supplier
26 April 2013
The plight of Australian supplier Spring Gully Foods, which is in administration, has again shone the spotlight on the country's grocery sector, of which two retailers enjoy a combined market share of 70%-plus. However, it has also been an example of why retailers do provide assistance to ailing suppliers.
UK/NETHERLANDS: Spreads holds back "solid" Unilever Q1
25 April 2013
Unilever's share price was down this morning (25 April) as weakness in spreads held back an otherwise "solid" first-quarter performance.
MEXICO: Gruma shows "significant" Q1 improvement
25 April 2013
Mexican food group Gruma said it started to show "significant improvements" in the first quarter as earnings climbed.
The just-food interview - Associated British Foods CEO George Weston
24 April 2013
Discount clothing chain Primark again grabbed the headlines for Associated British Foods as it booked higher half-year profits and sales - and saw its shares hit a record high. But what about ABF's grocery business? Dean Best spoke with CEO George Weston about the performance of and prospects for the UK group's food operations.
Comment: Is austerity Premier too focused on cost?
24 April 2013
Premier Foods' new austere message has encapsulated the mood of the time. Gone are the days of frivolity - this firm is knuckling down and reducing complexity across the board. However, cutting costs may lead to higher margins - but the detail Premier has given on how it plans to invest behind its brands has been scant to say the least.
On the money: Premier Foods eyes more ways to lower costs
23 April 2013
Premier Foods plc has identified three further ways to lower costs that the UK food group said will "reduce complexity" within its business.
What the analysts say - Grocery as expected at ABF
23 April 2013
Beyond the continued growth of Associated British Foods' discount clothing chain Primark, the UK-based group's grocery business generally met expectations in the first half of the year.
UK: Absence of revamp costs boosts ABF grocery profits
23 April 2013
Half-year profits from Associated British Foods' grocery business rose almost 30% as the company lapped last year's figures, which included restructuring costs in the UK and Australia.
Best bits: Emerging market operations under more scrutiny
23 April 2013
A decade ago, the conversation around emerging markets was purely about growth. Now, with the developing world accounting for a growing chunk of some businesses, and with some of the faster-growing economies cooling, there is more attention on company performance in the BRICs and beyond. As Nestle found out last week.
What the analysts say - a "solid" Q1 for Premier Foods
23 April 2013
Premier Foods plc this morning (23 April) saw its share price climb as it revealed an increase in group sales in the first quarter. The Hovis maker said its cost savings plan was on-track and that it has the right strategies in place to make further progress this year. CEO Gavin Darby outlined three areas in the business where he felt complexities could be taken out. Here, analysts give their views on today's sales update.
UK: Premier shares up as Q1 sales climb
23 April 2013
Premier Foods plc's share price was up this morning (23 April) as the UK food group booked an increase in first-quarter sales.
BRICs and beyond: China looks to tighten food safety regulation
22 April 2013
The elevation of China's State Food & Drug Administration (SFDA) to a ministry level entity will consolidate the oversight of food safety issues under one umbrella. The Chinese authorities are hoping that the move will convince consumers that the government is serious about tackling the country's food safety problems. Nevertheless, a number of challenges remain. David Green reports from Beijing.
