Financial

08-Nov-2010 - Barry Callebaut plans to expand its strategic partnerships with local food manufacturers in order to “tap into the full potential” of emerging markets.

Kerry acquires Agilex as flavours business booms

08-Nov-2010 - “Strong organic growth” has led Kerry Ingredients to acquire US ingredients firm Agilex, as its flavours and ingredients business grew 6 per cent relative to the first nine months of 2009.

Washington State repeals candy tax

05-Nov-2010 - Washington State voters have elected to repeal a tax on candy, soft drinks and bottled water that took effect earlier this year.

US and China lead choc market recovery, Barry Callebaut

04-Nov-2010 - Recovery in the chocolate market is underway in the US, Brazil and China but Western Europe has been slow to rebound and Eastern Europe still shows negative growth rates, said Barry Callebaut as it released robust full year results for 2010.

Caffè Nero boss takes helm at Thorntons

03-Nov-2010 - Caffè Nero md Jonathan Hart will take the helm at Thorntons in January following a lengthy search to find a replacement for Mike Davies.

Confectionery fats delivering growth, claims AAK

02-Nov-2010 - The chocolate and confectionery fats division showed strong seasonal volume improvements, claims leading oil and fats supplier AarhusKarlshamn as it releases third quarter financial results for 2010.

Special edition: R&D

Lack of R&D puts EU food sector at risk

29-Oct-2010 - Europe’s food and drink sector is lagging behind the competition because of investments in R&D have stagnated since 2006, warns the CIAA.

Warning that sugar prices could surge to 30-year high

28-Oct-2010 - The leading traders of physical raw sugar claim that the commodity is likely to surge to a 30-year high in the coming months, with all eyes on the pending Indian sugar crop output which is hoped will ease supply pressures.

News in brief

Kit Kat sales up in UK and Ireland

25-Oct-2010 - Flagship brand Kit Kat has increased market shares for Nestle in the UK and Ireland, according to last week’s third quarter results that reveal a 4.1 per cent sales increase for the global food giant.

Roshen posts 32 per cent hike in confectionery sales

22-Oct-2010 - Roshen increased its sales for the first three quarters of 2010 by 32 per cent at $675m. The confectioner also recorded an output of 285,000 tonnes in 2010, up 11 per cent on the same period last year.

News in brief

Mars restructures in UK in bid to outperform rivals

22-Oct-2010 - Mars’ UK confectionery business is to become independent from its European operation in a move that it said should bolster its performance against rivals within the UK market.

News in brief

UK regulator proposes changes in hostile takeover bids post Cadbury

21-Oct-2010 - The UK Takeover Panel, in a move that follows the controversial acquisition of Cadbury by US food group Kraft in February this year, has proposed changes to reduce the tactical advantage in hostile takeover bids.

Jungbunzlauer hikes citric acid, xanthan gum prices

21-Oct-2010 - Concern around stock levels of commodities such as sugar, wheat and corn, is claimed by ingredients group Jungbunzlauer as the rationale behind its 10 per cent hike in the price of its xanthan gum, erythritol and citric acid products.

Cargill says stevia demand is driving erythritol sales

18-Oct-2010 - Stevia sales are raising independent consumer demand for bulk sweetener erythritol, according to ingredients leader Cargill.

Tangerine appoints advisors for sweet expansion plans

18-Oct-2010 - Tangerine Confectionery has appointed NM Rothschild & Sons to advise the company on future expansion options and opportunities.

FLO raises Fairtrade cocoa premium

14-Oct-2010 - A hike in US$50 in the Fairtrade premium per metric tonne (MT) of cocoa should encourage investment in sustainable cocoa initiatives and better farming practices, claims the group behind the standard, which expects ongoing growth in Fairtrade products.

News in brief

More Cadbury executives quit Kraft

13-Oct-2010 - Two more senior Cadbury executives have left Kraft Foods, joining the other senior management figures who have resigned since the confectioner's takeover by the US food group in February, claim media reports.

Ceasefire at Tunnock’s as firm improves pay offer

11-Oct-2010 - Further strike action now seems unlikely at teacake and caramel wafer-maker Tunnock's after company bosses tabled an improved pay offer to staff.

Lindt could aid Lotte Group's global expansion plans, analyst

11-Oct-2010 - Publically listed confectionery company Lindt & Sprüngli remains the most interesting acquisition target in terms of its premium portfolio and its post-recession weakened state, with Asian conglomerate Lotte a potential frontrunner, argues a market insider.

News in brief

Kraft boss visits Cadbury

07-Oct-2010 - Kraft’s chief executive Irene Rosenfeld is due to visit Cadbury's main UK factory in Bournville, Birmingham today, for the first time since the controversial takeover earlier this year.

Lack of obvious candidates drying up confectionery mergers, analyst

06-Oct-2010 - Convergence in the confectionery market has slowed since the acquisition of UK confectionery group Cadbury by Kraft Foods in February this year, according to a market analyst.