The most eye-catching story came on Friday with the surprise news Chiquita Brands International shareholders had voted against the US produce group’s plan to merge with Fyffes. Meanwhile, in France, two food groups agreed to combine their poultry assets, including 11 sites across the country. And just-food this week reported from France at the SIAL trade show to meet some of the leading lights in the sector.
Chiquita shareholders reject Fyffes merger
Investors in Chiquita Brands International today (24 October) voted against the US produce giant’s plan to merge with Ireland-based peer Fyffes.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Comment: Growth question hangs over refocused Premier Foods
Premier Foods plc, the UK food group, appears to have a solid strategy in place but whether it can succeed in eking out top-line growth in a tough trading environment is, at present, less than certain – as underlines by its third-quarter sales announced this week.
LDC, Sofiproteol strike poultry merger
French poultry processor LDC is to snap up slaughterhouse and processing assets from local agri-food group Sofiproteol.
On the money: Spreads, ice cream weak points in Unilever Q3
Unilever‘s third quarter underlying sales growth missed analyst expectations as the Hellmann’s maker reported its spreads segment was still struggling, and ice cream sales were dampened by poor weather in Europe.
SIAL 2014: Interview: Fage targets Europe as US Greek yoghurt boom ends
Greek dairy manufacturer Fage is eyeing growth in Europe as the Greek yoghurt craze in the US loses steam. Katy Askew caught up with the company at the SIAL exhibition in Paris to find out more.
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By GlobalDataSIAL 2014: Bongrain hits out at retailers’ purchasing deals
Major suppliers operating in France will lose money from the two buying partnership deals announced by four of the country’s largest grocers, a senior executive at dairy group Bongrain has said.
SIAL 2014: Interview: French firm Michel et Augustin to enter US
Quirky French food group Michel et Augustin is enjoying rapid growth at home and overseas with a portfolio ranging from biscuits to beverages. Backing from Artemis, the French investment fund with assets including the Chateau Latour vineyard, is enabling the company to expand further – and it is set to enter the US. Dean Best met Antoine Chauvel, the firm’s export director, at the SIAL trade show in Paris to find out more about its plans.
Editor’s viewpoint: Boulder Brands should consider Smart Balance sale
The US spreads and gluten-free group saw its shares slump yesterday after warning about its short-term profitability. Boulder’s Smart Balance business continues to struggle and Dean Best argues the company should be mulling the brand’s future within the group’s portfolio.
WTO rules against in US over meat origin labels
The World Trade Organization has ruled US plans to change its rules on country-of-origin labels for meat contravene trade rules.
