December 2008 management briefing
Annual reviews often take formats such as ‘Winners and Losers of the Year’ but such an approach might not advisable for the past 12 months. Even the most rose-tinted, ‘glass half-full’ reflection on 2008 would surely yield many more losers than winners. The year began with the food industry facing rampant commodity cost inflation, caused in part by the impact of the biofuel boom on agricultural commodity markets. As early as January, just-food reported on the fierce debate that the growth in biofuels had provoked within industry, academic, campaigning and political circles. Review the key developments of 2008 in this month’s briefing.