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.
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.
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.
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.
German enzyme company AB Enzymes, a subsidiary of ABITEC Group, the
food ingredient and specialty chemicals group, announced this week
that it has acquired Gamma Chemie, a German-based enzyme business.
A substantial improvement in the profitability of its core dairy,
rice and sugar unit has helped Spain's Ebro Puleva group to
maintain profit levels in the first quarter despite a decline in
sales.
The subsidiary of Raisio Group, Raisio Nutrition, has bought a
dairy in Istra, just outside Moscow and is due to start production
there as soon as government regulations are fulfilled.
Swiss food group Nestlé has reported solid organic growth for the
first quarter of 2003, stressing the importance of product
innovation during the period. But actual sales declined as a result
of the continued strength of the Swiss...
Fromageries Bel, the French cheese group, has reported a slight
decline in sales as a result of the depreciation of the dollar and
poor economic conditions in core markets such as Germany and the
Middle East.
Finnish dairy group Valio has reported a rise in sales, helped by
strong gains from cheese and ice cream. But profits were reduced as
a result of exceptional items related to the sale of a US unit and
the planned closure of a production...
French yoghurt manufacturer Danone has announced that it has raised
its stake in probiotics maker Yakult to 19 per cent, citing strong
performance of the Japanese company as the reason for its long-term
investment.
Scottish dairy producer McLelland is investing a total of £13
million to extend its cheese-making operations in Stranraer. The
plans include the building of a new 10,000 ton cold store and
general storage facilities.
Despite currency devaluations in both North and South America,
Italian dairy group Parmalat posted only a 2.7 per cent decline in
sales for 2002 as a programme of product roll-outs helped boost
organic volume growth.
