South Korea: Nestle and Lotte Group to end Lotte-Nestle Korea joint venture
Nestle, the food and drink multinational, and South Korean food group Lotte Wellfood have agreed to end their Lotte-Nestle Korea joint venture by the first quarter of 2026. Initiated in June 2014, the Lotte-Nestle Korea partnership operates as a 50-50 joint venture, manufacturing and distributing Nescafe instant coffee, chocolate powder drinks, fruit powder drinks, pet […]
UK: Cereal Partners UK announces factory closure plans
Cereal Partners UK (CPUK), the Nestle and General Mills breakfast cereals joint venture, has announced plans to close its factory in Bromborough, UK with the loss of up to 300 jobs, ceasing production of private label cereals According to sources, the company is planning to consolidate operations at its site in Staverton, Wiltshire, investing £74 million ($95 million) to expand […]
Netherlands: Unilever to sell The Vegetarian Butcher to Vivera
Unilever, the multinational consumer goods giant, has announced that it has received a binding offer from plant-based company Vivera to acquire De Vegetarische Slager (The Vegetarian Butcher), a Netherlands-based meat substitutes firm. Founded in 2010, The Vegetarian Butcher expanded to 55 countries after Unilever acquired it in 2018. Commenting on the move, Unilever Foods president […]
Japan: Meiji launches yoghurt boasting skin hydration, UV protection benefits
Meiji, the diversified Japanese food business, has announced the launch of Meiji W Skin Care Yogurt, a new dairy yoghurt that has been formulated to protect the skin from UV radiation, as well to maintain hydration and relieve skin dryness. According to Meiji, Meiji W Skin Care Yogurt combines SC-2 lactic acid bacteria (L. bulgaricus OLL1247 […]
USA: Lotus Bakeries partners with Froneri on ice cream launches
Belgian biscuit and cake manufacturer Lotus Bakeries has announced a licensing agreement with ice cream specialist Froneri to accelerate the growth of its Lotus Biscoff brand in the US ice cream market. The partnership is set to operate as a sub-licence under an agreement reached between Mondelez International and Lotus Bakeries in 2024 covering Biscoff cookie production in India […]
France: Carrefour to launch new store concept in Paris metro
French retailer Carrefour has announced the opening of 45 stores in Paris metro stations under the new banner Carrefour Proximite. According to sources, the Carrefour Proximite stores will range in size from 50 to 250 sq m and be opened as part of the Grand Paris Express metro expansion project. The new concept is said to offer […]
Tradeshow Look Ahead: Peggy Davies, PLMA – World of Private Label 2025
Gama spoke to Peggy Davies, PLMA President, ahead of the latest edition of PLMA – World of Private Label. What are your expectations for this edition of PLMA – World of Private Label? PLMA’s World of Private Label Trade Show in Amsterdam is the place to be if you are involved in private label, whether […]
USA: PepsiCo to acquire prebiotic soda brand Poppi
FMCG giant PepsiCo has announced that the company has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Poppi, a fast-growing prebiotic soda brand, for $1.95 billion. Poppi is made with fruit juice, apple cider vinegar, and prebiotics, with less than 5g of sugar per serving, and is available across the US in 14 flavours. Commenting on […]
France: Sicard sells factory to La Boulangere & Co
French-based brioche specialist Sicard has announced the sale of a factory in Saint-Jean-de-Beugne to bakery peer La Boulangere & Co. According to sources, the factory is an 3,000 sq m in size and sits on a 40,000 sq mt plot. Commenting on the decision, Sicard president Véronique Sicard said: “This partial sale is an essential […]
Giovanna Flor, Chief Executive Officer
Bauer
Gama spoke to Giovanna Flor, Chief Executive Officer, Bauer. What are the main trends that are expected to influence the food industry in Italy in 2025 and beyond? Modern consumers are focused on the quality of ingredients and healthy eating, but above all they have less time to spend in the kitchen due to […]