This week, Fonterra confirmed it would be axing jobs as part of a review in response to the "volatile" dairy trading environment at present. Campbell acquired Garden Fresh Gourmet as it looks to extend its presence in the packaged fresh category. Elsewhere, Raisio announced it was launching Benecol into China and the US House of Representatives voted to scrap the country's controversial meat labelling laws. We also took an in-depth look at Bel Group's investment in Moroccan dairy Safilait.
"The world has changed and the unprecedented global volatility we’re experiencing right now is the new normal" – Theo Spierings, CEO at Fonterra, confirms the company is looking at right-sizing its business to accommodate for the "new normal" that is the volatile dairy industry.
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"The Benecol product launch in China will strengthen Raisio's strategically important expansion into new growing markets of Asia" – Olavi Erkinjuntti, Benecol sales director, confirms Raisio's entry into China with its Benecol product after partnering with Chinese healthcare group, Neptunus Group Co.
It is a logical extension of our fresh food and beverage platform that resonates with today's consumers. This is a critical next step in our journey to becoming the leader in the fast-growing packaged fresh category" – Jeff Dunn, president of Campbell's fresh business, comments in the wake of the deal to acquire salsa maker Garden Fresh Gourmet.
"Today, America's poultry producers are being challenged again by an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, and this decision serves to encourage USDA's efforts to maintain open markets for US poultry based on international standards. A rules-based international trading system is critical to allow US farmers and ranchers to compete on a level playing field worldwide" – Tom Vilsack, US Secretary of Agriculture, says the WTO ruling in favour of the US in India's ban on US poultry represents a "major win" for US agriculture and the poultry industry.
"The growing appetite for healthier snacks and on-the-go food has opened up a new market catering for the health-conscious" – Mohammed Abbas, vice president of Fresh Del Monte's fresh division, comments on the company's latest move to introduce its Fresh Market retail concept in Saudi Arabia.
"Valio has to adjust its costs to correspond to the current operating environment as well as to changes that have taken place in production types and volumes" – A spokesperson for Valio confirms it is to cut 320 positions, a move that has come in part to Russia's embargo on dairy products from the EU.
"Everyone knows this is not about food safety. It's an issue of marketing, and that should be decided in the marketplace. We hope the Senate will move quickly to vote for repeal so the President can sign the bill and put this failed experiment behind us" – The North American Meat Institute president and CEO Barry Carpenter says the passage of the bill through the US House of Representatives to repeal meat labelling laws is "an essential first step" in rolling back the anti-trade law.
"KitKat is much loved and its unique shape, which has been used for 80 years, is well known by consumers" – a spokesperson for Nestle tells just-food the firm will review the decision of the advocate general and the full decision of the court regarding its trademark bid for the shape of its KitKat product after the advocate general rejected it.
"It's a safe bet to focus on Morocco and try to expand here and build on the distribution network they already have but the growth rates aren't too good if you compare that to some of the other regions" – Lianne van den Bos says Bel's move to acquire Moroccan cheese firm Safilait is a "logical" one but warns its growth rates are slower compared to the wider MEA region.
