Dairy giant Fonterra is about to increase premiums to organic milk
suppliers who choose to meet United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA) standards.
Organic dairy foods group Horizon Organic reported an increase in
sales of 21 per cent in the US and 20 per cent in the UK during the
second quarter of 2003, compared with the second quarter of 2002.
Dairy multinational Fonterra Co-operative Group has raised US$165
million (€145m) in a private placement of long-term debt to US
institutional investors.
Irish dairy group Glanbia has reached a settlement with the Irish
competition authority over allegations concerning the fixing of the
retail price of milk.
Ebro Puleva saw its sales drop but profits rise in the first half
as it continued to streamline its business around three core
sectors - dairy products, sugar and rice.
Two dairies, Danish-based Birkum Ost and UK-based Oakthorpe, have
been granted ISO 9001:2000 and HACCP accreditation. Both are owned
by dairy giant Arla Foods.
The Competition Commission's decision to investigate the proposed
merger between Arla UK and Express Dairies could have an adverse
effect on profits at the latter group.
Leche Pascual is to invest €33 million in a new milk processing
plant in Barcelona to supply the Catalan market, despite the recent
boycott of its products there.
The European Agricultural Ministers' decision to reform the
European milk market last week has caused a degree of concern among
the continent's dairy producers.
New supply contracts with the UK's leading supermarket groups have
helped Robert Wiseman Dairies get off to an excellent start in the
first three months of the financial year.
The DrinkFit dairy drink brand acquired by Friesland Coberco as
part of its takeover of Nutricia's dairy unit has been sold to
Germany's Klaus Wiese group for an undisclosed sum.
Danone has recently increased its stakes in both Yakult and
Wimm-Bill-Dann, but claims it currently has no plans for a complete
takeover of either firm.
Rhodia Food, a subsidiary of French company Rhodia, has
strengthened its position in Australia with the signature of a
distribution agreement with Australian chemical giant Orica.
Arla Falkenberg, the Swedish cheese producer, has awarded Invensys
APV a contract valued at €4.5 million to design and install a new
cheese production line for its Falkenberg dairy in Sweden.
Russian dairy Wimm-Bill-Dannhas confirmed that a number of its
shareholders have approached French group Danone in a move which
could lead to a takeover of the company.
India-based Amrit Foods is in talks with European dairy producers
with a view to establishing a joint venture to manufacture and sell
a number of milk and milk-based products.
Dairy Crest, the UK dairy products group, has reported a 3 per cent
drop in sales for the year to March 2003 but stressed that its
branded business continued to grow strongly.
Arla Foods is involved in a joint feta venture with the Greek dairy
company, Hellas. The move is designed to strengthen the
Scandinavian dairy's presence in the US market
Danone is once again rumoured to have made an offer for Russian
dairy group Wimm-Bill-Dann, although both the French group and
WBD's management have denied the move.
Graham Packaging Company has begun production of polypropylene
yoghurt containers at a new French plant, adding to the companies
growing blow moulding capabilities.
Five Japanese companies have said they will recall a wide range of
food products which were made using banned flavouring agents
acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde and castor oil.
Graham's Dairies has further expanded its operations. The business
acquired Stevenson Dairy Farm this week in a move that consolidates
its position as Scotland's largest family-owned dairy.
International Specialty Products (ISP) continues to consolidate its
position on the ingredients market with the news this week that it
has acquired Brazilian ingredient systems company Germinal.
Irish food and dairy group Glanbia is likely to meet full year
earnings expectations despite tougher trading conditions, its
managing director said this week.
Valio's Belgian subsidiary, Valio-Vache Bleue, has taken over the
operational and commercial activities of International Food &
Business - Brussels Food Distribution (IFB-BFD).
The UK competition authorities have asked permission from the
European Commission to rule on the proposed merger of Arla Foods
and Express Dairies in the UK.
Dairy giant Arla Foods is planning to cut 600 jobs over the next
three financial years. The job losses will largely be contained
within the group's administrative departments.
RhodiaFood, part of French speciality chemicals company Rhodia,
recently announced that it would hike up the price of its Rhodigel
food grade xanthan gum by 10 per cent.
Dairy processor Robert Wiseman has posted an 11 per cent increase
in sales volumes for 2002, helped by investment in its dairy
facilities and important new supply contracts with the major
multiples.
