Australia: Nestle launches KitKat 2 Ways

The Australian arm of FMCG giant Nestle is launching an extension to its KitKat chocolate wafer range called KitKat 2 Ways, according to a report in Australian Food News. KitKat 2 Ways features two flavours, split half and half in the same ‘finger’: Mint 2 Ways combines “intense crisp mint” and “creamy smooth mint”, while […]
India: Carlsberg to establish a new brewery in Karnataka

The Indian arm of global beer giant Carlsberg has announced that it has set up a new brewery in the state of Karnataka to further strengthen its capacity in the southern region of India. The new brewery will take Carlsberg’s total production facilities in India to eight. The “state-of-the-art brewery” is described as extending over […]
Rice seeks out breakfast opportunities

The latest innovation insight from Gama Compass MANCHESTER – 22nd January 2018: The latest effort by FMCG firms to get on board with consumers’ changing breakfast habits is the subject of this month’s Innovation Insight. Under the microscope is a launch that melds fuel-rich rice with the convenience of pouch packaging for a new kind of breakfast […]
Australia: Darrell Lea acquired by private equity firm

Darell Lea, an Australian confectionery firm, has been acquired by the investment fund Quadrant Private Equity for A$200 million ($160 million), according to a Foodbev report. The sweetmaker, whose fortunes have been revived since being placed in voluntary administration in 2012, is the manufacturer of products such as Rocklea Road, Soft Eating Liquorice and Little Brittle. […]
Japan: Nestle launches “ruby” chocolate KitKat

Swiss multinational Nestle has announced the launch of a new KitKat variety coated with cocoa processor Barry Callebaut’s “ruby” chocolate. The new variety, called Sublime Ruby, will go on sale as part of the KitKat Chocolatory series, which is available in Japan in boutique stores of the same name. In a statement, Nestle said that […]
India: Danone to discontinue dairy business

French dairy multinational Danone has announced its intention to close its dairy unit in India in order to focus on its infant nutrition portfolio. As a consequence of the decision, the firm’s facility in Rai, near Delhi, which produces milk, smoothies, buttermilk and yogurt will ceases production, while its factory in Lalru , Punjab that […]
Australia: Nestle to sell Violet Crumble to Robern Menz

The Australian arm of consumer goods giant Nestle has announced it has reached an agreement to sell its confectionery bar brand Violet Crumble to the Adelaide-based company Robern Menz for an undisclosed sum. As part of the deal, Robern Menz will acquire the plant, equipment and intellectual property associated with Violet Crumble. Manufacture is set […]
India: Patanjali signs deal to construct plant in Chhattisgarh

Patanjali, the fast-growing Indian FMCG firm, is seeking to further expand its manufacturing operations with the proposed construction of a new food plant in the state of Chhattisgarh, India. The company, which manufactures ayurvedic products, has reportedly signed a memorandum of understanding to build a food and herbal processing unit in the village of Rajnandgaon at a cost […]
Indonesia: Arla to establish joint venture with Indofood

Arla, the Danish dairy business, has announced that it is seeking to expand its footprint in south-east Asia via a joint venture with local player Indofood (ICBP). Describing southeast Asia as “a strategic growth region in Arla Foods’ strategy, Good Growth 2020”, the cooperative said that the new joint venture would handle sales, distribution and production […]
China: Asahi to sell stake in Tsingtao Brewery

Asahi, the Japanese drinks giant, has announced that it is selling its 20% stake in Chinese beermaker Tsingtao Brewery in a deal worth about $941 million. The group first announced that it was looking to sell its holding in Tsingtao Brewery in October 2017. An 18% stake is being sold to the Chinese conglomerate Fosun […]