Breaking News on Dairy Processing & Markets

Union disappointed by Robert Wiseman site closures

03-Mar-2011 - The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) says it is disappointed by Robert Wiseman Dairies' confirmation that it will close its Okehampton dairy and Cupar distribution depot with the loss of up to 134 jobs.

News in brief

Chinese dairy firm is highest bidder in Yoplait auction, reports FT

02-Mar-2011 - The Financial Times has reported that Bright Food of China has emerged as the biggest bidder in the auction to buy 50 per cent of the Yoplait yoghurt brand.

Glanbia reports ballooning 2010 operating profit

02-Mar-2011 - Irish dairy and nutritionals company Glanbia has reported a 22.8 per cent increase in annual operating profit, returning the company to pre-recession earnings figures.

Agrana invests €27.6m in its Russian plant

28-Feb-2011 - Agrana is investing €27.6m in expending its Russian fruit processing capacity, as it anticipates growing demand for fruit containing products.

News in brief

S&P’s revises Dean Foods outlook on input cost concerns

25-Feb-2011 - Standard & Poor’s has revised its rating outlook for Dean Foods warning that rising input costs are likely affect profitability at the company and other dairy processors.

New year price spike prompts Fonterra to raise payout forecast

23-Feb-2011 - Fonterra has raised its forecast payout to farmers for 2010/2011 following big increases in milk prices at its auctions over recent months.

Arla Foods heralds recovery despite Danish struggles

23-Feb-2011 - Arla Foods claims to have put the recession behind it in 2010 despite coming under pressure from discount products in its domestic market.

Comment

Arab Revolt underlines the need for action to remedy high food prices

21-Feb-2011 - When Tunisian street vegetable vendor Mohamed Bouazizi chose to end his life in fiery suicide, no one could have foreseen the firestorm his death would unleash across the Arab world. But, two months later, as the Arab Revolt shows no sign of fading, the lessons to be drawn about food security are becoming abundantly clear.

News in brief

Saputo acquires US specialty cheese firm

21-Feb-2011 - Saputo has signed an agreement to acquire DCI Cheese Company and expand its presence in the US specialty cheese sector.

News in brief

Dean Foods sees signs of dairy retail stability

18-Feb-2011 - Dean Foods said it is beginning to see signs of stability after a tough 2010 saw the US dairy giant suffer from tough private label competition and retailer promotions.

Danone ups guidance for 2011 but warns of commodity price hike

15-Feb-2011 - Danone has upped its sales revenue guidance for 2011, encouraged by a positive pricing performance in the last quarter. But the French dairy giant warned of a 6-9 per cent hike in raw material costs.

UK farmers face £330m payment gap as costs outstrip prices

09-Feb-2011 - UK farmers face a £330m gap between the price that milk buyers pay for the product and the costs of producing it, according to a new report by the National Farmers Union (NFU).

Dairy Crest warns of higher milk and oil costs

09-Feb-2011 - Dairy Crest has met its profit expectations for the nine months to the end of 2010 but has warned of higher input costs over the coming year.

Yoplait to consider nine bids for 50pc stake

09-Feb-2011 - The Yoplait board is reportedly sitting down this week to consider nine bids for a 50 per cent stake in the French yoghurt maker.

FAO figures reveal January surge in world dairy prices

03-Feb-2011 - Global dairy prices leapt up in January rising more than any other group of food commodities in the monthly Food Price Index, published by the UN food agency.

News in brief

Unilever Q4: Sales up 5.1%; but operating margins hit by commodity price hikes

03-Feb-2011 - Unilever has beat analysts' expectations with a 5.1% rise in underlying sales in the fourth quarter, but said operating margins were dented by commodity price hikes.

137 jobs under threat at Robert Wiseman Dairies

27-Jan-2011 - 69 staff at Robert Wiseman Dairies’ Okehampton dairy and 68 staff at its Cupar distribution centre face an uncertain future as the firm initiated 30-day consultations on the future of both sites.

News in brief

PepsiCo gains Russian approval for Wimm-Bill-Dann deal

27-Jan-2011 - PepsiCo has received all the necessary regulatory approvals from the Russian authorities required to close its acquisition of Wimm-Bill-Dann.

Rossa Dairy Products enters administration

20-Jan-2011 - Leicester ice cream and dairy product manufacturer Rossa Dairy Products has gone into administration after over a century of production.

Glanbia confirms outlook despite Irish economic woes

19-Jan-2011 - Glanbia has reiterated its strong outlook for full year profits despite the poor performance of its US cheese and Irish consumer businesses.

News in brief

Kerry sells Dawn Dairies milk business to Glanbia

19-Jan-2011 - Kerry Group has sold off its liquid milk business, Dawn Dairies, to rival Irish dairy company Glanbia.

Lactalis pays €8.28m for stake in Spanish ingredients researcher

17-Jan-2011 - The Spanish subsidiary of French dairy giant Lactalis has paid €8.28m for 29.9 per cent of the ingredients research division of Spanish dairy group Ebro Foods, which produces the omega-3 forms for Ebro Puleva’s successful €100m+ selling omega-3 milk.

DuPont’s Danisco buy boosts probiotics and could spur further acquisitions

14-Jan-2011 - DuPont’s €4.9bn acquisition of Danish probiotics and sweeteners specialist Danisco this week is vindication of the increasing economic viability of functional foods, according to analysts.

Irish export boom led by dairy products and ingredients

14-Jan-2011 - Strong dairy product and ingredient exports drove an 11% increase in the value of Irish food and drink exports during 2010, according to a new government report.