China: Iceland Foods to open first Asia store
Iceland Foods, the specialist UK frozen food retailer, has announced plans to open its first store in China in partnership with BTG We Link. BTG We Link is a retail concept company that brings Western cuisine to the Chinese retail market. The partnership will allow customers in China to purchase Iceland Foods products via e-commerce […]
Italy: Valeo Foods Group acquires Freddi Dolciaria
Leading European sweets and snacks producer Valeo Foods has announced the acquisition of Freddi Dolciaria, an Italian producer of sweet bakery products. Founded in 1949 and based in Castiglione delle Stiviere, Freddi Dolciaria produces pre-packaged sponge cakes and Swiss rolls and generates nearly €20 million ($22.2 million) in annual turnover. Commenting on the move, Valeo Foods […]
Belgium: Royal A-Ware to close Olympia plant in Pajottegem
Belgian dairy firm Olympia, a subsidiary of Royal A-Ware since 2022, has announced the closure of its dairy processing plant in Pajottegem. In a press release, Royal A-Ware’s said the plant’s installations and infrastructure require upgrades to meet current and future efficiency requirements, which the firm does not consider economically justifiable at the moment. “There has been […]
Australia: Bega to close Strathmerton operations
Bega, the Australian dairy firm, has announced plans to consolidate its Strathmerton cheese processing and packaging operations into its existing site at its Ridge Street facility in Bega. As a result of the changes, Bega expects A$30 million ($19.4 million) in annual savings from consolidation. It will also invest A$50 million ($32.4 million) in the Ridge […]
Brazil: JBS to invest in four Seara units in Santa Catarina
JBS, the global meat company, has announced plans to invest R$216 million ($37.6 million) in four units in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina for its Seara business. Founded in 1956, Seara specialises in the manufacturing and sale of chicken, pork, processed foods and plant-based meat substitutes. This investment is intended for the upgrade and […]
USA: Conagra Brands to sell Chef Boyardee to Hometown Food Company
Leading US food manufacturer Conagra Brands has announced it has entered into an agreement to sell Chef Boyardee, an ambient ready meals brand, to Hometown Food Company, a portfolio company of private equity Brynwood Partners, for $450 million. This transaction includes a manufacturing facility in Milton (PA) and a full range of shelf-stable operations and assets, […]
Canada: Rustica Foods to build third production facility
Rustica Foods, a leading privately owned Canadian pizza producer, has announced plans to build a third production facility to expand its market reach. Founded in 2000, Rustica Foods is a producer of both fresh and frozen pizzas under the Rustica and Mia brands, and also manufactures for major private-label clients in Canada and beyond. It […]
Portugal: Lactalis to acquire Queijos Tavares
Lactalis, the French dairy giant, has signed an agreement to acquire Queijos Tavares, a Portuguese producer of cow, sheep, and goat cheeses, from Crest Capital Partners. Founded in 1996, Queijos Tavares produces a variety of cheeses under brands such as Seia do Tavares, Serras de Penela, Damar, and Monte da Soalheira. The company is a […]
USA: Agristo to build $450 million potato plant in North Dakota
Agristo, a Belgium-based potato processor & Europe’s leading supplier of frozen potato products, has announced plans to build a $450 million potato processing plant in Grand Forks, in the US stated of North Dakota. The planned facility, intended to manufacture frozen potato products such as chips (fries) and hash browns, is set to be constructed […]
‘Ultraprocessed’ fears driving shift in food & drink claims
Insight by Gama Compass MANCHESTER – 29th April 2025: Growing consumer aversion to ‘processed’ and ‘artificial’ foods is driving an uptick in launches touting claims such as “no additives” and “no artificial ingredients”, the latest Insight By Gama Compass discovers. An analysis of trends in global food and drink launches since 2013 reveals that consumer preference is instead […]