A European comparison study investigating ‘dual quality’ across the bloc has found that one-third of products tested have an identical or similar front-of-pack appearance, yet differing compositions.
Sales of fresh fish and seafood are falling in Western Europe despite its reputation for being a healthy . Why is this, and is there an opportunity for packaged products?
Food sales throughout Europe have grown over the past five years – but not all regions and categories have performed equally. What areas are expanding and where are food makers losing out?
Sugar confectionery consumption in Europe may have peaked, but a spike in Germany’s birthrate signals hope for the future, says Katjes International’s CFO.
Sales of free-from and organic foods have rocketed in Europe as more and more shoppers spend time looking at labels in order to identify “guilt free” purchases, according to new data from Euromonitor International.
Europe accounts for around 23% of the global market for intense sweeteners, but this is largely biased towards western countries, according to Leatherhead.
Cocoa grinds are up in Europe and the chocolate market is set to follow, but other markets are shining more brightly and will continue to do so, according to Euromonitor.
Heineken has played down a 4.7% slump in global sales of its eponymous brand versus Q4 2012, blaming bad weather in Europe and retailer destocking in France and the US.
Strong growth in emerging markets was a major driver of increased sales in the first nine months of 2012, according to Switzerland-based flavour and fragrance firm Givaudan.
Europe and North America were the worst performing regions for Nestlé according to its first half (H1) results, while Asia, Oceania, Africa and emerging markets delivered double digit growth.
Any growth in the mature Belgian confectionery market lies in fair trade chocolate and chewing gum, according to an analyst at Leatherhead Food Research.
Nestlé’s sales for the nine months to the end of September rose 7.3% to reach CHF60.89bn (€49.24bn), slightly short of expectations, but its positive European performance blindsided analysts.
Confectionery giants such as Nestlé, Haribo and Cadbury have been at the forefront of efforts to move away from artificial additives, as the general industry makes a shift to natural food products, according to Leatherhead Food Research.
Ready meals continue to lead the European market for frozen and chilled foods, although the category will likely undergo a wave of reformulation as manufacturers attempt to improve the health profile of their products.
Italians and women are the most interested western Europeans
in digestive health claims while Dutch are the least, according to
new consumer research funded by French fibre specialist Syral.
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.
Melville, New York headquartered Comax Flavors, has opened a new
factory in Shanghai to serve the rapidly growing Chinese market,
the company reported yesterday.
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 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, writes Lindsey Partos.
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.
Frozen food may not have the sexiest of images, but growing
consumer demand for convenient, healthy and, above all, safe food
has led to something of a revival in the fortunes of frozen
products across Europe. But this could also...
Eastern European countries are starting to experience major growth
in the organic food market on the back of growing domestic demand
and exportation to western Europe. Simon Pitman spoke to the
Organic Monitor to find out more.
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.
The spectacular growth rates of the late 1990s may be a thing of
the past, but the functional energy drink market in western Europe
shows little sign of running out of steam, according to a recent
report.
