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Zetar establishes French subsidiary

26-Jan-2012 - UK-based confectionery and snacks firm Zetar has established a French subsidiary to leverage its position in continental Europe.

Sensient opens new color and flavor factory in Sao Paulo, Brazil

25-Jan-2012 - Wisconsin-based colors, flavors and fragrances giant Sensient Technologies has signaled its ambitions in the fast-growing Brazilian food market with the opening of a new color and flavor complex in Jundiaí, Sao Paulo.

News in brief

Asian orders drive growth for Bühler

20-Jan-2012 - Food technology group Bühler has announced 12.5% growth in sales for 2011 due to increased orders from new customers in Asia.

Sugar keeps things sweet for ABF

19-Jan-2012 - Exceptional sales growth for sugar will fuel expansion at Associated British Foods (ABF), say food industry analysts, even if Q1 continued to highlight struggles for the food ingredients side of the business.

Sugar segment helps Südzucker’s profits soar

19-Jan-2012 - Ingredients firm Südzucker has seen a sharp increase in its operating profit for the third quarter (Q3) propelled by gains in its sugar segment.

Kraft to cut 1,600 jobs in preparation for company split

18-Jan-2012 - Kraft Foods has said it will cut about 1,600 jobs from its US and Canadian workforce over the next 12 months, as it prepares to split into two separate companies.

Barry Callebaut growth dented by European shortfall

18-Jan-2012 - A downturn in sales throughout Western Europe has seen Barry Callebaut fail to meet its projected growth for the first quarter. However the Swiss chocolate supplier said it is still outperforming the market.

Callebaut sees Mexican potential with Grupo Bimbo supply deal

17-Jan-2012 - Chocolate manufacturer Barry Callebaut has today announced the signing of a long-term supply agreement with Latin American bakery firm Grupo Bimbo.

Lindt sales behind expectations with Nestle takeover possible – analyst

16-Jan-2012 - Swiss chocolatier Lindt has recorded sales below market expectations and could be subject to a takeover from Nestle, according to an analyst from Kepler Capital Markets.

News in brief

Ferrero Group appoints new md

13-Jan-2012 - Confectionery firm Ferrero Group has appointed Pieraldo Oldano as the new md of Ferrero UK & Ireland.

Strong Q1-Q3 for Agrana driven by sugar and starch segments

12-Jan-2012 - Favourable market trends and successful business strategies have driven strong profits in Agrana’s sugar and starch segments, creating 20.2% growth for the first three quarters of 2011|12, the CEO said.

News in brief

Thorntons sales fall below expectations over festive period

12-Jan-2012 - UK chocolate firm Thorntons has announced that its second quarter sales had fallen below expectations in a trading update issued today.

Mars France expands M&M production capacity with €40m investment

11-Jan-2012 - Mars Chocolat France has announced plans for a multimillion investment in its Haguenau plant that will boost the site’s production capacity by 20%.

Chr. Hansen results beat expectations, colours providing improved ROI

11-Jan-2012 - Chr. Hansen’s first quarter results for financial year 2011/12 are a notch stronger than analysts had expected.

Callebaut eyes European leadership for nut products with La Morella acquisition

11-Jan-2012 - Barry Callebaut has acquired a 100% stake in Spanish company La Morella Nuts for an undisclosed sum as it aims to be the European leader for nut products.

Tangerine Confectionery acquires Smith Kendon brands

09-Jan-2012 - UK-based Tangerine Confectionery has added two Smith Kendon brands to its portfolio as it continues to expand through brand acquisitions.

Nestle UK moves HQ from Croydon to Gatwick

05-Jan-2012 - Nestle UK has announced today that it is to move its head offices from Croydon to a site near Gatwick by the end of 2012.

News in brief

Cadbury’s Somerdale plant to become housing development – reports

05-Jan-2012 - A Cadbury production site in the UK that was controversially closed following Kraft’s 2010 takeover has been sold to a developer, according to reports.

Gelatine giant Rousselot grows with North American acquisition

04-Jan-2012 - The world’s foremost supplier of gelatine to the confectionery industry Rousselot has acquired North American gelatine manufacturer Eastman Gel.

News in brief

Thorntons issues profit warning

21-Dec-2011 - UK-based chocolatier Thorntons has announced that profits have been hit by weakened consumer demand and strong marketing competition ahead of its final year results due next year.

Cadbury finalises $1.3m settlement in chocolate price fixing conspiracy

21-Dec-2011 - A US Federal judge has accepted Cadbury’s $1.3m (€995,863) offer to settle in class action lawsuit over its alleged part in a suspected chocolate price fixing scandal also involving Nestle, Hershey and Mars.

New Cloetta becomes biggest player in Scandinavia and overtakes Kraft in Sweden – analyst

20-Dec-2011 - Swedish confectioners Cloetta and Leaf have sealed a €753m merger making it the largest confectionery company in Scandinavia, according to an analyst from Euromonitor.

Scottish firm Nisha acquires Millar Confectionery and plans new factory

16-Dec-2011 - Scottish-based Nisha Enterprises has acquired Millar Confectionery for an undisclosed fee and plans to open a new sweet factory in Livingston, Scotland.

Swedish confectioners Cloetta and Leaf merge in €753m deal

16-Dec-2011 - Cloetta and Leaf have sealed a €753m merger as the companies eye market leadership in the Nordic region.

News in brief

Callebaut improves credit rating

15-Dec-2011 - Barry Callebaut has announced that its credit rating has been upgraded.

Spotlight

Chewing gum impairs short-term memory, says study

Chewing gum impairs short-term memory, says study

Chewing gum harms short-term memory contrary to previous studies that suggested gum could improve recall, according to...

Blommer predicts looming cocoa supply crisis

Blommer predicts looming cocoa supply crisis

Demand for cocoa is expected to climb 30% in the next 10 years creating a 25% shortage...

Soaring demand for sustainable cocoa prompts World Bank to invest $55m in cocoa trader

Soaring demand for sustainable cocoa prompts World Bank to invest $55m in cocoa trader

A division of the World Bank has acquired a stake in cocoa trader Armajaro Trading to support...

Louis Dreyfus to acquire Imperial Sugar as investors try to block deal

Louis Dreyfus to acquire Imperial Sugar as investors try to block deal

Commodities group Louis Dreyfus has reached an agreement to acquire refined sugar processor Imperial Sugar for around...

Hershey maps cocoa farms in Ghana with GPS as labour group doubts commitments

Hershey maps cocoa farms in Ghana with GPS as labour group doubts commitments

Chocolate giant Hershey has announced plans to use GPS mapping for cocoa farms in Ghana to help...

Top 9 US chocolate brands – consumer poll

Top 9 US chocolate brands – consumer poll

US consumers chose their most popular chocolate brands in a recently published consumer study.