Unilever’s business in South Africa was in the spotlight this week after it emerged its offices were raided as part of a probe into collusion. Elsewhere, there were two notable M&A deals in dairy, with Arla Foods looking to merge with Belgium-based EGM Walhorn and Lactalis’s Parmalat bolstering its business in Australia with the acquisition of Harvey Fresh. Click on the headlines for more.
SOUTH AFRICA: Unilever raided in competition probe
The South African offices of Unilever and fats and oils supplier Sime Darby have been raided in a search and seizure operation conducted by the country’s competition officials.
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UK: Tesco CFO McIlwee resigns
Tesco CFO Laurie McIlwee has decided to leave the UK retailer, it was announced this afternoon (4 April).
Focus: Parmalat could milk Harvey Fresh in Oz and overseas
Parmalat, majority-owned by French dairy giant Lactalis, has made a significant move to bolster its business in Australia 15 years after it first entered the market. Parmalat has snapped up Australian dairy and fruit juice firm Harvey Fresh, a deal industry watchers believe could help the Italian firm’s local business and help it expand its presence in Asia. Dean Best reports.
AUS: Goodman Fielder issues profit warning, jobs to go
Shares in Australian food firm Goodman Fielder plunged 22% today after the bread-to-dairy manufacturer announced it would not meet profit expectations for its 2014 financial year.
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BELGIUM: Dairy co-ops Arla, EMG Walhorn propose merger
European dairy co-operatives Arla Foods and Eupener Genossenschaftsmolkerei Walhorn plan to merge their operations.
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