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Sofiprotéol

The financing arm of France's agro-industrial firm Avril Group has secured EUR100m (US$120m) in funding, giving it added capabilities to promote growth and development in the farming sector.

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The US Department of Agriculture's development of GMO certification scheme emerged this week, adding to the debate over the labelling of foods containing genetically modified ingredients. Elsewhere in the US, Mondelez International revealed jobs will go at a biscuit plant in Chicago. Meanwhile, dairy giant Arla Foods announced a deal in Egypt with local processor Juhayna Food Industries.

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French agri-food business Sofiproteol has reorganised its business structure - moves that included changing its name to The Avril Group - as it looks to accelerate its growth.

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A busy week in the food industry calendar, with the SIAL exhibition in Paris, ended with a shock announcement: Chiquita Brands International's shareholders rejected the company's plan to merge with Ireland's Fyffes. Elsewhere, we heard third-quarter updates from Unilever, Premier Foods and Mead Johnson.

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The most eye-catching story came on Friday with the surprise news Chiquita Brands International shareholders had voted against the US produce group's plan to merge with Fyffes.

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French poultry processor LDC is to snap up slaughterhouse and processing assets from local agri-food group Sofiproteol.