India: SLMG Beverages to invest $1 billion
SLMG Beverages, a subsidiary of Ladhani Group and the largest independent bottler of Coca-Cola in India, has announced plans to invest $1 billion over six years to expand in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Uttarakhand. The company will invest around $150 million each year to expand manufacturing capacity, upgrade warehousing, enlarge its logistics fleet, and supplying more […]
India: Reliance Consumer Products to invest $127 million in Tamil Nadu
Reliance Consumer Products (RCPL), the FMCG arm of Indian retail major Reliance Retail Ventures, has announced plans to invest 1,156 crore INR ($127 million) to set up an integrated manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu. With the investment, a 60-acre facility will be established at SIPCOT’s Allikulam Industrial Park to produce packaged snacks, biscuits, spices and […]
USA: Heineken to acquire FIFCO’s beverage and retail businesses
Multinational Dutch brewer Heineken has announced that it has entered into binding agreements with its long-term partner Florida Ice and Farm Company (FIFCO) to acquire the remaining 75% of Distribuidora La Florida, as well as FIFCO stakes in certain other businesses, for $3.2 billion. Heineken’s stake in Distribuidora La Florida, encompasses its beverages, food, and […]
UK: Premier Foods to invest $25 million in Devon Ambrosia factory
UK food manufacturer Premier Foods has announced that it is investing £19 million ($25 million) in its Ambrosia factory located in Lifton, Devon to increase capacity and improve efficiency. This will be a three-year programme of investment, split into two stages. The first £9 million ($12 million) phase has modernised Ambrosia’s rice pudding and custard […]
Tradeshow Insight: Lunch! 2025
This week, London’s ExCeL was once again transformed into the hub of the UK’s thriving food-to-go industry as Lunch! 2025 opened its doors to thousands of visitors. Co-located with The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show, the two-day event welcomed a dynamic mix of operators, buyers and suppliers, all looking to connect, discover and stay […]
Israel: Strauss Group to launch ‘animal-free’ dairy product line
Strauss Group, a food and beverage manufacturer, has announced the launch of CowFree, a new brand range containing animal-free beta-lactoglobulin (BLG) protein that mirrors the properties of cow’s milk protein. The product range includes a milk drink analogue under the name Yotvata, and a cream cheese under the name Symphony. The products are described as being are fortified […]
Ian Wright CBE, Co-Chair
Food and Drink Export Council
Gama spoke to Ian Wright CBE, Co-Chair of the Food and Drink Export Council. From your perspective, what makes the UK such a strategically important market for food and drink businesses – both domestic and international? The UK market remains one of the most accessible and innovation-friendly environments in Europe. For businesses looking to […]
USA: Louisville Vegan Jerky acquired by Louisville Brands
Equity fund Render Capital has announced that Louisville Vegan Jerky Company, part of its Fund 1 portfolio, has been acquired by Louisville Brands, an expanding group of consumer packaged goods businesses. Louisville Vegan Jerky is reportedly a leading plant-based snack jerky brand, outselling both meat and non-meat rivals in Whole Foods stores across the US. […]
France: Agrial, Terrena mulling ‘strategic merger’
Agrial and Terrena, the French agri-food cooperatives, have announced plans for a “strategic merger”, with talks described as being “at the proposal stage”. In a statement, the two companies cited “repeated crises”, persistent inflation and increased competition as factors in the potential merger. “By pooling our expertise and innovation capabilities, this project will also enable […]
USA: Calbee acquires majority stake in tofu maker Hodo
Japanese food major Calbee, via its US subsidiary, has announced that it has acquired a 58% stake in US tofu and plant-based food producer Hodo. As part of the venture, Sagamiya Foods, a leading Japanese tofu producer, has acquired a minority stake in Hodo and will provide technical support to reinforce its growth plans. Founded […]