A decision this week by the Chinese government to lift restrictions
on foreign investment in the retail sector is likely to lead to a
rise in the number of companies seeking a share of the huge Chinese
market. But with the authorities...
An industry expert claims that food safety in Europe is lagging
behind the US because supermarkets here don't care enough and
manufacturers don't have enough money to implement adequate
systems. As a result the European...
The failure by UK Chancellor Gordon Brown to take any measures to
lift some of the administrative burden on the UK food retail sector
- or to give it any incentives to stimulate growth or reward it for
innovation - has been heavily...
Flavours giant International Flavors and Fragrances and subsidiary
Bush Boake Allen must pay out $20 million in damages as an American
court rules that a US popcorn factory worker sustained harm to his
lungs from mixing flavouring...
With the takeover of Safeway finally completed this month, UK
supermarket group Morrisons is preparing for a busy 2004 of store
refits, closures and disposals. But at least it starts the new
financial year in good shape, with double...
Britain's drinks industry has warned that an increase in beer duty
and the ongoing threat of tax stamps designed to cut down on duty
evasion, both announced by Chancellor Gordon Brown yesterday, will
simply increase the cost...
Mainstream food retailers in Germany need to do more to combat the
growing threat of discount chains such as Aldi and Lidl, claims a
recent report by consultancy firm KPMG. But companies offering more
convenient stores with a wider...
The key ingredient in the most popular ice cream in the world faces
a rise in price, already at a 10 year high, as the worst cyclone in
two decades hits Madagascar, the leading producer of vanilla.
As increasing numbers of national governments worldwide toy with
new legal frameworks for genetically modified foodstuffs, the
global food labelling body Codex Alimentarius will table the issue
at an upcoming meeting in Montreal.
European food ingredients companies working in the rapidly emerging
Chinese food market can look forward to getting a slice of the €135
billion trade exchange between the two blocs.
Central European Distribution Corporation has announced a
substantial increase in both its net sales and net income for its
operations Poland as a result of a number of acquisitions over the
past two years. The company also says that...
The market for equipment suppliers to the Russian food and beverage
industry has been overrun by big western players during the course
of the last ten years. A leading industry consultant believes the
domestic industry does have the...
A UK business rooted in sheep milk products and originally set up
to help people with allergies has won the Great British Food
Award presented by the UK's National Farmers Union (NFU). The
success of the company is linked to...
French drinks maker Marie Brizard is hoping to tap into growing
consumer demand for cocktails with an agreement which will target
supermarkets and off-licences in the UK. But are British consumers
ready for 'do-it-yourself'...
Drinks manufacturers and retailers in the UK have pledged to do
more to tackle alcohol misuse – a problem which costs the UK £20
billion a year and which brand owners and retailers have been
accused of exacerbating in the past, writes...
Russian ice cream producer AlterVest has bought up two major
production facilities, one in Germany and one in Poland, in an
effort to spread its business reach and to reduce the costs
associated with exporting its products.
Waitrose is not the cheapest food retailer in the UK, nor does it
offer the largest range of services. But it does claim to have the
best quality and service levels in the industry - a focus on the
premium end of the market which...
Jeronimo Martins, the Portuguese supermarket group, ended 2003 with
a return to profitability as the results of its restructuring
programme begin to be seen. But with market conditions still
expected to be tough in 2004, sustaining...
Per capita consumption of juice in eastern Europe is a healthy 13
litres, well ahead of that in other emerging markets, but there is
still some way to go before consumption levels reach those in
western Europe. But with a number of...
Dutch firm Loders Croklaan Lipid Nutrition is the first company to
demonstrate the safety of its conjugated linoleic acid, a fatty
acid hailed as the next big weight loss ingredient, writes
Dominique Patton.
Britain's third and fourth largest grocers have shown contrasting
sales performances in recent weeks, and Morrisons' recent takeover
of Safeway means that Sainsbury is now under serious threat of
dropping further down the...
Difficulties in the meat export market and cheap imports have been
troubling Baltic meat processors, with Estonia's largest processor,
Rakvere Lihakombinaat, reporting that its profits have been halved
in the space of a year...
Russian agribusiness group Aston says it has acquired a controlling
stake in the Millerovo oil extraction plant in the Rostov region,
which, after modernisation, will be used to increase the company's
foothold in the edible oils...
Latvian dairy producer Rigas Piensaimnieks has made an interesting
side-step into the world of multifunctional manufacturing in an
effort to increase its market share and maintain future growth.
Sauces and condiments will now become...
Supermarkets account for around 5 per cent of the UK's annual
energy consumption, pump 600,000 tons of carbon dioxide into the
atmosphere per year from their delivery lorries and produce enough
plastic carrier bags to cover all...
Poland food processor La Festa has announced this week that it is
to move some of its operations to Romania in a bid to drive off an
anticipated rise in costs after accession.
A tighter focus on discount outlets continues to pay dividends for
French retail group Casino, whose 2003 figures also benefited from
an upturn in its international operations, writes Chris
Jones.
Danish ingredients firm Danisco shoots into the number two cultures
spot after signing a deal worth €320 million yesterday to buy the
food ingredients arm of struggling French chemical firm Rhodia.
At first glance, a petrol station might not seem like the obvious
choice of outlet for premium food and drink products, but growing
consumer demand for healthy, tasty and above all convenient
products – not to mention increased competition...
Delhaize's dependence on the US food retail market has weighed
heavily on the results of the Belgium-based company. And with
little sign of an immediate upturn in the US economy, conditions
are likely to remain tough for some...
Pressing reform to European food and feed controls cleared a
further obstacle this week with Parliament waving through proposed
Commission rules, leaving room for ministers to take the final
decision in coming weeks, writes Lindsey...
Leading Macedonian food processor Kolinska is reaping the benefits
of last year's investment in its production facilities, increasing
sales volumes and profits significantly. And more is to come,
having just bought out a 19.7...
Quality is an issue that has plagued many food processors in Russia
over the years. But one company, Kraft Foods, claims that its
operations there - where it is a leading player in confectionery
and coffee - have witnessed tremendous...
Deaths due to poor diet and lack of exercise have risen by more
than a third in the last ten years, said the US government
yesterday, citing new research that suggests obesity could soon
overtake tobacco as the leading preventable...
Romanian bakery group Vel Pitar looks set for further expansion
after announcing that it intends to become more acquisitive and
that a significant increase in its investment programme is mooted
for the year.
Acquisitions for UK food, ingredients and retail firm Associated
British Foods are key to reducing dependency of group profits on
ABF's leading revenue source British Sugar. This week the company
signs a deal with Unilever to...
With its takeover of Safeway finally completed, Morrisons now faces
the difficult task of integrating the two businesses and bringing
the profitability of Safeway's somewhat downmarket stores up to its
own high level.
The last few years have seen a sharp increase in the number of
discount stores throughout Europe, with recessions in many of the
Continent's leading economies prompting consumers to tighten their
belts and shop around for bargains.
Having recently announced that it is selling its stake in the
Carlsberg brewery, Norway's Orkla Foods is continuing its aim to
increase its presence in the Eastern European market with the
acquisition of more facilities to expand...
Polish fruit processor Agros Nova has said that it aims to become
the country's largest producer of fruit juices within the next
three years, despite having lost ground since the merger which
formed it early last year.
The wholesale sector in the UK is expected to continue to play an
important role in the grocery sector for the next ten years, in
particular in helping brand owners improve their relationship with
independent retailers. But while...
After three successive years of depressed consumer spending and low
prices, German retailers are hopeful that 2004 will see a return to
growth, albeit at a relatively low level.
A hardy winter cereal crop could soon be a common sight in European fields as scientists in France present the fruits of 30 years of labour in the labs.
Favourable news for the pro-GM camp as a team of British scientists
claims that genetically modified (GM) maize is less damaging to
wildlife than conventional varieties. At the same time, leading UK
organisations call on Tony Blair...
On the cusp of reform to the EU's heavily supported sugar regime,
some of the world's poorest sugar exporting countries have called
on Europe 'to put fairness at the heart of the new regime'.
Expecting a higher uptake of vegetable fats by European chocolate
manufacturers following the new '5 per cent' chocolate rule, Danish
oils and fats supplier Aarhus United sees a drop in income for
2003, compounded by currency...
A survey of sunflower and soya oil manufacturers in Russia reveals
that they are struggling against poor soy bean supplies, out-dated
production equipment and excessive market competion. Although
manufacturers still envisage market...
Britain's number one food retailer is about to stretch its lead
even further following the announcement on Friday that its proposed
takeover of convenience store group Adminstore had been approved by
the Office of Fair Trading....
Convenience store operator Londis has begun the lengthy process of
looking for a buyer or a partner after the company's board agreed
yesterday to put the company up for sale.
