Vietnamese state-owned companies plan to convert some coffee and rubber plantations to cocoa, delivering a significant boost to the country’s annual output, says Vietnam’s principle cocoa buyer Puratos Grand-Place.
Chocolate maker Mars has invested a total of US$140m in new manufacturing facilities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE to increase production of its Galaxy and Snickers lines.
Yildiz Holding's acquisition of UK United Biscuits makes it the world's third largest biscuit player, but now it will have to work hard to find its 'power brand' answer to Mondelēz's Oreos, according to a Mintel analyst.
Kuwait has the world’s highest percentage of obese people – 42.8% of its population is obese – and the next four fattest countries are also from the Middle East region, according to an updated Food Security Index (FSI).
Pecan Deluxe Candy (Europe) has invested in a €300,000 Yamato multihead check weigher, which can operate up to 100 bags per minute, to meet increasing demand for inclusions in products such as ice cream, desserts, cookies and donuts.
Currently the Middle East represents just over 3% of Brazilian confectionery exports, but potential far exceeds that, according to Brazil's industry trade association.
Jelly Belly is hopeful of international growth after an innovation splurge saw it introduce 50 new products at one show, including the world’s first beer flavored jelly bean.
Premium popcorn maker POP! Gourmet Popcorn has struck a deal with a leading retail and hospitality conglomerate in the Middle East that will significantly boost its presence in international markets.
The global number four biscuits player United Biscuits (UB) is growing rapidly in international markets where it plays up its British heritage accordingly, but rarely adapts the formulation.
Turkish conglomerate Yildiz Holding has sold a 20% stake in its chocolate and biscuit business Ülker in a share offering as its Godiva business grows rapidly in international markets.
Spanish chocolate major Natra will launch a nut variant of its Tiger bar countline in South Africa for retailers and said it would consider exclusivity agreements.
Booming demand from the growing middle classes in emerging markets mean confectionery industry investments in processing and packaging equipment will grow 4% to 5% annually, according to a report by processing and packaging association PMMI.
Demand for sustainable cocoa is growing in mature markets and the Middle East is beginning to move away from compound chocolate, according to the head of Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate’s revamped sales team.
Chocolate is the fastest growing UK food export driven by a rise in sales to the Middle East and Africa and factory expansion by Nestlé, according to a report from the Food and Drink Federation (FDF).
ADM Cocoa has introduced a new intense cocoa powder at Gulfood in Dubai this week, tapping into consumer interest in richly coloured and intensely flavoured cocoa products.
Mondelez is expanding in the Middle East having recently signed a joint venture in Saudi Arabia last week. ConfectioneryNews.com asks the industry giant if halal certification and alcohol-free labeling have been factored into its growth plans.
Cargill has said it intends to create a new sweeteners and starches joint venture in Saudi Arabia with agri-business firm Arasco, saying it will give the company a foothold in the fast-growing Middle East and North African market.
Cadbury owner Mondelez International has entered a joint venture to expand distribution in Saudi Arabia, which it calls an “important and strategic market” in the region.
Young, self-confident and increasingly wealthy populations in North Africa and the Middle East offer big opportunities for food and beverage firms – but there are risks too, according to ingredient company Wild GmbH.
Research from Kantar Media has unearthed the countries that consume more chewing gum than anywhere else worldwide, which could help manufacturers choose their geographic focus.
Symrise’s flavour and nutrition division nailed an increase in sales in the first half (H1) of 2012, driven by performance in emerging markets and increasing sales with major customers.
Surging demand for natural colours, ongoing emerging markets growth, coupled with steady performances in core cheese, meat and cultures and enzymes businesses has delivered healthy Q3 results for Chr Hansen.
Dutch non-branded bar manufacturer VSI has begun operations at a €10m plant in Leerdam, Holland, which incorporates a research and development (R&D) centre and has the capacity to make triple-layered bars.
UK chocolatier Thorntons has suffered a 63% decline in profits in its half yearly report and intends to close almost half of its own stores and focus on commercial retail sales.
Improved performance and a reduction in carbon footprint are benefits claimed by Ecolab for its new range of clean-in-place (CIP) formulations for food and beverage processors.
Constantia has completed a deal to take over a Turkish flexible packaging outfit in a bid to boost growth in developing markets such as the Middle East, North Africa and parts of Eastern Europe.
German confectionery machinery suppliers grabbed 25 per cent of the total global sales in the sector last year with sustainability in utility consumption the key innovation driver, according to the VDMA, the German food processing and packaging machinery...
Confectionery giant Nestlé has officially opened a (USD) $136m manufacturing facility in Dubai which is set to become the third largest Kit Kat plant worldwide.
Nestle’s Middle East affiliate has started producing powdered milk, confectionery and wafer products, at its new plant in Dubai, which has a capacity of 100,000 tons a year.
Latin America and Asia led the way with strong sales for Givaudan’s flavour division in 2009, prodding it towards 1.9 per cent sales growth in local currencies in a tough year for industry.
Tate & Lyle has reached an agreement to sell its minority stake in sugar refineries in Saudi Arabia and Egypt to Saudi-based sugar refiner Savola, the companies have said.
Danish gum technologist Gumlink will team up with Turkish confectionery firm Yıldız in a new joint venture set to spear markets in Europe, Russia, Middle East and North Africa.
