Striking farmers often prove adept at grabbing the headlines and this week has proved no exception. Farmers have launched protests in Germany and the Netherlands in a bid to win higher milk prices as their costs rise. These, plus Carrefour‘s move into Iran, robust figures from Heinz, and claims that obesity has plateaued in the US, are among the top ten stories on just-food this week.
GERMANY: Farmers strike for higher milk prices
German farmers have launched a national strike to call for higher milk prices.
NETHERLANDS: Dutch farmers join milk price protests
Dutch farmers have launched a strike in protest against low milk prices in the Netherlands, echoing moves from German farmers who took industrial action earlier this week.
UK: Fair contracts “salvation” of dairy industry – NFU
Equitable contracts between farmers and producers will pull the UK dairy industry back from the brink of collapse, the NFU dairy board chairman has told just-food.
Just the Answer – Richard Clothier, Wyke Farms
Wyke Farms, the independent UK dairy firm, has carved a place among the country’s largest cheese makers and is now looking to expand internationally. In this month’s Just the Answer, Dean Best spoke to managing director Richard Clothier about how Wyke has grown at home and its ambitions abroad.
IRAN: Carrefour plans hypermarket opening
Carrefour and its Middle East franchise partner Majid Al Furraim are looking to drive growth in the region by expanding into Iran.
US: Heinz unveils growth plan as profits rise
US food giant Heinz has raised its earnings forecast for the next two years after announcing a rise in full-year sales and profits today (29 May).
US: Child obesity hits “plateau”, claims study
Childhood obesity rates in the US may have reached a plateau after decades of continuous increases, a government report has claimed.
US: Cadbury Adams launches “tooth-building” gum
Cadbury has hit the US market with a gum that includes an ingredient it claims will help rebuild tooth enamel.
US: US food faces “structural change” from cost hike
The rise in commodity costs could spark a “structural change” in the US food industry, according to debt rating agency Fitch.
UK: Price hikes boost Northern profits
Northern Foods has moved back into profit after raising selling prices to offset the higher cost of cheese and wheat.
