A handful of almonds, a rich source of flavonoid antioxidants,
vitamin E and magnesium, may enhance the feeling of fullness in
people and aid weight management, suggests a new study.
Danisco's takeover of Genencor International, the EU sugar reform
and rising raw material prices feature prominently in the group's
recently published annual report.
Leading chocolate manufacturer Barry Callebaut has reported an
increased operating profit (EBIT) of 14.6 per cent for the first
nine months of fiscal year 2005/06.
The chairman of Kraft Foods, the world's second biggest food
company, Roger Deromedi, has launched an attack on EU and US trade
barriers that are driving up the price of commodity ingredients
such as sugar and coffee.
Weak and stagnating prices for food, agricultural raw materials and
manufactured goods in 2005 could mean further bad news for
exporters this year, according to a World Trade Organisation
report.
Recent research sheds new light on the allergenicity of lupin,
suggesting that common assumptions about the dangers of the
ingredient could be overblown.
Fears for Western Europe's food processing industry have been
raised following revelations that firms are cutting back on jobs
and R&D spending in the face of cheap foreign competitors.
Kraft Foods has announced plans for a major European reshuffle and
a string of acquisitions, as US parent company Altria segregates
the food producer from its ailing tobacco subsidiary.
Rewe, Europe's fourth largest retailer, has revealed ambitious
plans to increase its market share and expand internationally using
its €1billion investment budget for 2006.
Analysts reveal mixed views over the future of the European
hypermarket format, amidst growing market pressure from competition
watchdogs, discount retailers and planning legislators.
The UK ranks second behind Canada in the level of productivity of
its food, drink and tobacco products work force, but Austria,
Finland and the Netherlands are on the way to overtaking the
island, according to an international study.
PricewaterhouseCoopers' (PWC) asserts that retailers cannot afford
to ignore emerging Eastern European markets - but warns that only
the most exploratory and adaptable food retailers will succeed.
Rewe, Europe's fourth biggest retailer, plans to invest around €220
million into Bulgaria over the next three to five years as entry
into the Eastern European market eases.
In the wake of Unilever's announcement that it has decided to look
into "strategic options" for its frozen food operations in Europe,
many analysts are speculating about who might have thecash to grab
the whole or parts...
Ongoing price competition among European retailers has squeezed
prices for international branded foods in recent years, finds new
research from ACNielsen that confirms the pressure will
continue into the near future.
A new fibre-based fat substitute that can reduce the fat content of
baked goods by 50 per cent is to be launched in Europe by Swiss
marketing group DKSH.
Europeans in 39 countries spent a combined total of €1,363bn on
food and groceries in 2004, with Germany as the largest market, to
be overtaken by Russia in 2020, according to IGD Services.
A new tool for food developers, Europe's food risk agency
recommends the launch of a harmonised food database across the EU
to shed light on favourable and adverse effects food ingredients
may have on our health.
US ingredients player reaches deeper into Europe, clearing a deal
this week to buy industrial chocolate facility Schierstedter
Schokoladefabrik from existing customer, Ludwig Schokolade,
writes Lindsey Partos.
Eastern Europe continues to offer an immediate solution for the
world's major brewers in the face of declining western markets, as
SABMiller cautiously buys up Slovakian brewer Topvar, writes
Chris Mercer.
The first ever survey of research and development (R&D)
personnel across all industrial sectors in Europe reveals most
participants predict there will be little change in their
companies' R&D investment levels over the...
Chr Hansen is already on the look out for new acquisitions as the
firm enjoys a fresh financial thrust from its new private equity
owners, PAI partners, reports Lindsey Partos.
British retailer Tesco, which this week became the first UK
supermarket to break the £2 billion profit barrier, plans to build
on a strong performance across Eastern Europe by adding more than
30 stores in the region this year, increasing...
Europe's blossoming organic food production, already benefiting
from the world's biggest organic food research budget, is predicted
to grow fastest in the EU's new member states over the next few
years, presenting new...
Three of Europe's biggest beer makers have reported mixed results
this week, with Scottish & Newcastle, Carlsberg and Heineken
all underlining the need to cut costs and increase advertising
expenditure, especially for premium...
Europe's food watchdog confirms the first case of mad cow disease
has been identified in a goat in France. This is the first case of
the disease identified in animals other than cattle.
Europe and the US continue to dominate demand in the €4.5 billion
flavours market, but Asia Pacific region is quickly catching up
thanks to high single-digit growth, reveal figures from a new
report.
Danish ingredients giant Chr Hansen is about to launch an intensive
research and marketing campaign across Eastern Europe to learn more
about local taste preferences and beat the opposition to one of the
world's most promising...
Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa are strong growth areas
for the flavours market while in western Europe low calorie and low
carb diets will continue to spur demand, claims a new report,
writes Lindsey Partos.
Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa are strong growth areas
for the flavours market while in western Europe low calorie and low
carb diets will continue to spur demand, claims a new report.
PepsiCo has the potential to dominate the emerging snacks market in
Eastern Europe after buying out General Mills' 40.5 per cent share
in Snack Ventures Europe (SVE) for $750 million (€560 million),
writes Chris Mercer.
Exceptional charges relating to a major overhaul of its UK business
took their toll on first half sales at Uniq, the chilled foods
group - and the firm is now looking increasingly vulnerable to a
takeover from stalking horse, Duke...
Number one flavour group Givaudan sees beverage and dairy sales
pulled down in Europe but despite slow-down in flavour operations
sales for the division offset a dip in fragrance for nine months to
September.
With the proposed sale of Serbian water bottler Knjaz Milos
attracting the attention of major international players, the
importance of this category is hard to ignore. The latest report
from Zenith International backs this up, highlighting...
Duckworth Flavours says that following its acquisition by Cargill
at the start of the year it will now be focusing on supplying
ingredients to the eastern European markets in a bid to increase
its position in the European ingredients...
US-based agro-food giant Bunge says it is readying to resume production at its
newly acquired oilseed processing facility in southern Poland.
Bunge says that, tying in with Poland's accession to the EU, the
facility represents...
German discount store Lidl is hoping to steal a march on arch rival
Aldi by rolling out stores in 15 European countries where the
latter has no presence - a move which should also turn it into
Europe's biggest discount store...
Heinz of Poland has confirmed that its production facility in
Pudliszki in the west of Poland is undergoing production trials for
Heinz products that are currently manufactured in western Europe,
suggesting that big change could be...
Discount stores have never been as popular in the UK as they are in
some other European countries - notably Germany - but British
retailers should not underestimate the power of low-price formats,
especially in international markets,...
Despite cheaper alternatives to cocoa butter on the market and new
European rules allowing vegetable fats in chocolate formulations,
uptake for the replacers has been slower than expected as reticent
food makers and marketers stick...
Economic uncertainty in a number of European countries has given a
boost to sales of private label products over the last year, as
consumers switched from mainstream supermarkets to discount stores.
But the UK's continued dominance...
More than 777,000 bottled water cooler units were installed at the
end of 2003 across East Europe, 26 per cent more than in 2002,
according to the fourth report on East Europe Water Coolers from
drinks consultancy Zenith International.
