The latest just-food interview saw the boss of Nestle’s business in Greater China discuss the food giant’s strategy in the market and why he believed the world’s largest food manufacturer had the edge on its rivals in the region. It was a week of a number of notable pieces of M&A, including Canadian retailer Sobeys’ move to buy Safeway Inc’s business in Canada and JBS’s deal to acquire Seara Brasil from local meat rival Marfrig. Click on the headlines for more.

The just-food interview: Nestle China CEO sees dynamic growth
Nestle is thriving in China thanks to a combination of M&A and organic growth. But operating in China is not without challenges. Katy Askew caught up with regional chief Roland Decorvet to find out more about why he believes Nestle is best-placed of all the multinationals to succeed in China.

In the spotlight: Sobeys joy but questions for Safeway
Canada’s second-largest grocer Sobeys has swooped to buy the local business of US supermarket giant Safeway. Sobeys has paid a full price for Safeway’s Canadian arm but, writes Dean Best, the market was broadly positive and agreed with the company’s optimism. For Safeway, however, the sale does leave some questions.

BRAZIL: JBS to buy Marfrig’s domestic poultry unit
Brazilian meat giant JBS is to buy domestic poultry business Seara Brasil from local rival and fellow international meat processor Marfrig.

UPDATE: US: B&G eyes snacks growth through Pirate deal
US food group B&G Foods plans to accelerate the growth rate of its snack business through its acquisition of Pirate Brands.

MYANMAR: PepsiCo nears snacks distribution
PepsiCo could start distributing snack brands in the Asian country of Myanmar this year.

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Talking shop: Amazon’s fresh step in fledgling US online grocery
Amazon has made another stride in taking on US food retailers with the roll out of its fresh grocery business into the second most populous city in the US, Los Angeles. The move is sure to make other players in the market sit up and take notice but will it be enough to really shake up the US online grocery channel and give it the much needed boost it requires?

MOROCCO/LEBANON: Mondelez consolidates production, closes two factories
Mondelez International has confirmed plans to close two factories, in Lebanon and Morocco, as it looks to streamline its gum production base in the region. (Elsewhere, Mondelez said it had started the expansion of a biscuit plant in eastern China).

US: Lidl confirms interest in US market entry
Discount retailer Lidl has confirmed it is exploring the possibility of entering the US market.

UK: Unilever returns to original Flora recipe after consumer backlash
Unilever has reverted to its original Flora recipe in response to negative consumer feedback after it introduced a new version of the spread in early 2012.

BRICs and beyond: Carrefour takes chance on Africa
French retail giant Carrefour has announced plans to expand further into Africa through a joint venture with consumer goods distributor CFAO. The deal will see it develop stores across eight countries and represents a new signal of intent from the world’s second largest retailer as it looks to place an early marker down in what is becoming a fast growing emerging market. Michelle Russell takes a closer look.