South Africa: PepsiCo to buy Pioneer Foods
PepsiCo, the global snacks and drinks giant, has announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire all the shares of leading South African food manufacturer Pioneer Foods for approximately $1.7 billion. In a press release, PepsiCo described Pioneer Foods as having a “robust, locally relevant” product portfolio of cereals, juices and other African […]
Consumers still nuts for coconut
Insight by Gama Compass MANCHESTER – 19th July 2019: Coconut – whether as an ingredient or flavour – is continuing to set the pace in the food and non-alcoholic drinks industries. This month’s Insight By Gama Compass examines how coconut has achieved ‘superstar’ status, assesses its penetration across different categories, and considers some of the trends driving […]
Tariq Ahmed Al Wahedi, Chief Executive Officer,
Agthia Group
Gama spoke to Tariq Ahmed Al Wahedi, Chief Executive Officer, Agthia Group. What overarching trends do you expect to shape drinks and food innovation in 2020-21? “Consumers no longer accept products as they traditionally did – they want ‘value-added’ products that are convenient, healthier and benefit their lifestyles. Recent industry reports have shown that the […]
UK: Ralex Brands buys Wow Drinks
Ralex Brands, which owns the aloe juice brand Simplee Aloe, has acquired fellow London-based drinks business Wow Drinks, for an undisclosed “seven-figure” sum, according to a report in Just Drinks. Founded in 2015, Wow Drinks markets a range of cold-pressed drinks labeled Nutrition, Restore and Balance. It is also launching a cannabidiol-enhanced peach tea and a product […]
UK: Unilever agrees to buy 75% of Romanian brand FruFru
Unilever, the consumer goods giant, has agreed a deal to acquire a 75% stake in the Romanian firm Good People, which markets a range of health-oriented food under the FruFru brand, according to reports in Just Food and the Romanian media. Founded in 2006, Good People is described as the first “fresh, healthy” food concept […]
UK: PepsiCo and Lavazza join forces for coffee launch
PepsiCo, the US based drinks and snacks giant, is taking on rival Coca-Cola in the UK RTD coffee category, with the launch of a new brand range in partnership with coffee specialist Lavazza. The new “cappuccino” drink is advertised as an “intense espresso shot blended with white milk froth” and is described as featuring a […]
UK: AMC opens new Merseyside food factory
AMC, a Spanish manufacturer of juices and fresh foods, has announced it has opened a new plant-based production facility in Merseyside, according to reports in UK Investor Magazine and Asian Trader. The new purpose-built £11 million ($14 million) Skelmersdale factory will produce freshly squeezed juice and a variety of vegetable-based foods. According to Asian Trader, […]
UK: Muller confirms closure of Foston dairy
Muller, the leading dairy firm and the UK’s largest milk supplier and distributor, has confirmed that it is to close its production facility in Foston, Derbyshire, with the loss of 223 jobs. In a press release, the company said the decision followed a 45-day statutory review of the its dairy network which examined factory utilisation […]
UK: AG Barr launches “adult” soft drink brand St Clements
AG Barr, the UK-based soft drinks firm, is expanding its portfolio of “adult” soft drinks with the launch of the new St Clements fruit drinks brand, positioned as an alternative to alcohol. St Clements drinks are made from sparkling water and fruit juice concentrate, and are sold in 500ml bottles with a crown cap closure. […]
USA: Coca-Cola to invest in Ethiopia
Coca-Cola, the US-based soft drinks giant, is planning to expand its presence in sub-Saharan Africa with a five-year, $300 million investment in Ethopia, according to a report in Food Business Africa. The additional investment forms part of an existing project through which the company will establish a new $70 million plant in Sebeta for the […]