Australia: AB InBev sells Australia unit to Asahi
AB InBev, the world-leading brewer, has announced it has agreed to divest Carlton & United Breweries to Japanese beermaker Asahi for an enterprise value of A$16 billion ($11.3 billion). As part of the transaction, AB InBev said it would grant Asahi the rights to commercialize the portfolio of AB InBev’s global and international brands in […]
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 […]
USA: Fresh Express to launch Chiquita-branded snack range
Fresh Express, the Chiquita-owned packaged salad firm, is expanding its on-the-go snack portfolio with the launch of fruit-based Chiquita Bites and Chiquita Sticks. The company said the new lines “make planning delicious and refreshing snacks for weekend getaways or school lunches a breeze”. Chiquita Bites is described as savoury snack packs featuring fresh fruit, cheese […]
Italy: Peroni invests €13 million in new bottling plant
Peroni, the Italian beer firm now owned by Asahi, has announced it has invested €13 million ($14.6 million) to open a new line at its bottling plant in the southern Italian city of Bari. The company said recent investments at the site had allowed it to surpass volumes of 1.8 million hectolitres in 2018, representing […]
Switzerland: Nestle claims first with 70% dark chocolate “made only from cocoa fruit”
Consumer goods giant Nestle is claiming a world first with the creation of a 70% dark chocolate made entirely from the cocoa fruit, using the beans and pulp as the only ingredients. “Nestlé has developed a natural approach, which allows it to extract the pulp and use it in chocolate with no compromise on taste, […]
USA: Ampro Industries buys Keystone Laboratories brands
Ampro Industries, a US-based manufacturer of multicultural hair, skin, and personal care products, has announced the acquisition of several personal care brands from Keystone Laboratories, according to a Global Cosmetic Industry report . The products being acquired are said to include the conditioner Long Aid, Ultra Glow skin cream, Better Braids shampoo, Better Locks hair […]
Spain: Belourthe acquires baby food business from Cerealto Siro
Belourthe, a Belgian based company specialized in the manufacturing of infant cereals, has announced it has reached an agreement to buy the baby food business of Cerealto Siro, a food multinational based in Madrid, Spain, for an undisclosed sum. The deal includes the Nutriceal brand of baby foods including cereals, purees and biscuits. Founded in […]
Netherlands: Jumbo acquires Agrimarkt chain
Jumbo, the Dutch grocery retailer, has announced it has agreed a deal to acquire the Agrimakt retail chain from the agricultural cooperative CZAV for an undisclosed sum. Agrimarkt operates a network of six stores in Goes, Middelharnis, Roosendaal, Vlissingen, Oud-Beijerland and Terneuzen in the south-western Netherlands, employing around 360 staff. Commenting on the proposed deal, […]
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 […]