Global chocolate supplier Barry Callebaut said that recent
acquisitions had boosted its six month figures, with net profit
showing double-digit growth. But low cocoa prices affected
activities at the processing arm of the company.
Growing through international expansion, chewing gum giant Wm.
Wrigley Jr has closed on a €215 million deal to acquire the Joyco
gum and confectionery businesses from Agrolimen, a privately-held
Spanish food conglomerate. The acquisition...
Is Big Red the next functional food fad? Scientists in the US claim
the natural flavours found in the chewing gum brand manufactured by
gum giant Wrigley's could beat the bacteria that causes bad breath.
Russian white sugar production from imported raw beet is reported
to be down by 23 per cent for the start of the year, as the sector
struggles against diminished supplies of raw materials and high
stocks of unsold processed sugar....
'It is incorrect to focus on any specific food or ingredient in
attempting to address obesity,' cautions the US food industry, in
the face of mounting criticism that sugar intake plays a key role
in today's overweight...
Following its takeover last year, leading Baltic State biscuit
maker Kalev Johvi Tootmine is to stop making its Maiasmokk brand of
biscuits because of excess market competition.
A new US study reports that the higher cocoa, lower sugar content
and antioxidant properties of premium dark chocolate are making it
a more attractive for health-conscious consumers, especially the
growing number of those counting...
Improving the molecular structure of certain foods such as ice
cream and cocoa, can dramatically improve the taste, texture and
mouth feel of a particular product. This is something Marcos
Bobzin, Buhler's product manager for...
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'.
With the Commission proposal for changes to the EU sugar regime but
a few months away, Commissioner Franz Fischler explains why sugar
reform is 'unavoidable.'
The Russian sugar industry has suffered under the weight of poor
logistics, erratic raw supplies and a lack of financing. We spoke
to a leading industry analysts to find out how the industry is
facing up to these challenges and what...
Plant closures and 'competitive pressures?saw profits slide for US
sugar giant Imperial Sugar despite a rise in operating income for
the first quarter. Global sugar surplus keeps the prices down and
competition up.
German sugar giant Suedzucker willl break ground on a new plant to
produce bioethanol fuel from wheat at Zeitz in East Germany.
Earmarked for completion by 2005, the plant will operate in
conjunction with the local sugar factory.
Although growth has been rapid for Nestlé in the Russian
confectionery sector, there are a number of challenges to be
tackled in order to ensure future expansion - low per capita
consumption and ingredients supplies being the primary...
A large proportion of Russian sugar processors have experienced
recession over the last year - so says a survey of leading industry
figures. However, the abolition of import taxes on imported raw
sugar might make things easier in...
With the failure of WTO talks in Cancun last year, pressure has
intensified on Europe's heavily subsidied sugar regime - trading at
three times the world price- to change. While critics want to see a
fairer regime with Europe...
Innovation in cosmetics has taken an erotic turn. Pop singer
Jessica Simpson has launched a new line of beauty products that
features whipped body cream and chocolate body gloss.
The British are the biggest consumers of chocolate in Europe,
munching their way through more than 10 kg each every year. A
reflection of Britain's ongoing love affair with snacking - and
consumers' reluctance to choose...
The British are the biggest consumers of chocolate in Europe,
munching their way through more than 10 kg each every year. A
reflection of Britain's ongoing love affair with snacking - and
consumers' reluctance to choose...
The European Commission has approved the proposed functional
confectionery joint venture between Swiss consumer goods company
Nestlé and the US-based personal care company Colgate-Palmolive,
but approval is just the first of several...
Eating two portions of chocolate a day may help prevent
cardiovascular heart disease claims Masterfoods USA. The company's
new functional chocolate, CocoaVia, contains plant flavonols and
phytosterols believed to reduce cholesterol...
Early depletion of African gum stocks have driven up global prices
of gum acacia. US company TIC gums this week passed the price rise
of gum arabic on to the market.
One of Romania's leading and longest established chocolate makers,
Excelent, has relaunched its Kandia branded chocolate under a
multi-million dollar investment. The money has also included an
extensive revamp of its production...
Hard negotiations followed by new European rules put to bed
long-standing disputes over labelling issues that hung over
chocolate manufacturers. As more European manufacturers turn to
vegetable fats, the challenge is on for ingredients...
Controversial changes over two years ago to Europe's chocolate
rules - that had cocoa puritans and producers up in arms - came
into force in the summer, providing ingredients companies with a
raft of new opportunities.
Cukrovary TTD, which is currently controlled by French company
Societe Anonyme Sucriere do Berneuil sur Aisne and Germany's
Nordzucker, has announced the closure of its sugar refinery in
Melnik, Czech Republic.
British Sugar's parent company, cash-rich Associated British Foods
(ABF), delivered a strong set of results for the year with the food
and agriculture division pulling in the highest operating profit
for the full year for the...
Wrigley cannot register its Doublemint brand as a trademark with
the EU because it is a descriptive name - a rulings made by the
European courts yesterday.
The CEO of Wrigely has announced that the global confectionery
company is aiming to further grow its company in the year ahead
with a range of innovative new gum-based products.
The Nordic region's leading confectionery maker, Cloetta Fazer, has
said that it expects the price of cocoa beans, a key raw material
for many of its products, to remain stable for the rest of this
year.
Wrigley has announced third quarter earnings up 15 per cent,
following an impressive 12 per cent growth in its global sales,
which were further strengthened by the weakness of the US dollar.
Japanese chocolate output remained relatively constant throughout
the first six months of 2003, according to the latest figures from
the Chocolate and Cocoa Association of Japan.
House of Brussels Chocolates has announced the development of a new
medical advisory board to investigate and research the use of
chocolate as a carrier for dietary supplements, functional foods
and pharmaceutical compounds to treat...
German confectionery and bakery producers have strongly criticised
the current EU system designed to keep sugar prices artificially
high, arguing that it makes European companies uncompetitive when
it comes to exports.
Glisten has taken its first step towards strengthening its position
as a niche food group with the acquisition of Sunya, another
confectionery maker, for around £1m.
The EU has asked the Ivory Coast, to abolish a law that requires
all cocoa beans to be exported in jute bags. This would mean cocoa
could only be exported in 60 kg or 65 kg bags rather than in bulk.
