News & Analysis on the Bakery and Snacks Industries
Bakery looks like a steady, staple business, until you follow the money. In 2026, a small group of companies controls an outsized share of the world’s bread, buns and baked goods, and the distance between the leaders and the rest is still growing
Spain’s Supreme Court has given Grupo Bimbo exclusive rights to the word ‘Donut’ – igniting debate over who owns the language of food
Synthetic dyes may still be legal but shifting consumer trends and rising US state-level pressures mean bakery and snack brands aren’t waiting for mandates to start cleaning up their color palettes
The world’s biggest bakery group is ushering in a new era, installing a new chief at the helm in Mexico and announcing a major handover at Bimbo Bakeries USA
Protein’s still flexing hard, but it’s left the gym and hit the grocery aisle
Opinion
Turns out, more than half of us didn’t know chips are made from potatoes – and now food brands are scrambling to remind us what we’re actually eating
A new study is changing what bakers know about sourdough, while a wave of launches from Thomas’ to Sara Lee is proving bread can be nutritious, inventive and purposeful all at once
Ahead of FoodNavigator-USA’s free webinar ‘Fueling Fun: Connecting with Esports Enthusiasts and Everyday Gamers FTW’ (October 15), we look at how brands from Doritos to Heinz are stepping inside the $200bn gaming economy
Halloween spending is set to smash records this year, and brands are responding with limited edition launches designed to thrill. From eerie éclairs to glow-in-the-dark Goldfish, 2025’s NPD lineup is frightfully inventive
From swicy seaweed to smoky crisps and cupcake bites, these NPD show flavor is still the ultimate snack currency
The snackdown
As scrutiny mounts over Bimbo’s stalled bid for Wickbold, Mars’ frozen takeover of Kellanova and Smucker’s costly Hostess misfire, the M&A playbook in bakery and snacks is under serious pressure - from regulators, consumers and the market itself
With 99% of its portfolio now additive-free and a strategy built for a world turning against ultra-processed foods, the Mexican company is quietly reshaping the global food game
The food industry is feeling the heat as consumers cash in on price-fixing and label deception settlements
It’s World Bee Day on 20 May and there’s never been a sweeter time to celebrate honey’s starring role in snacks and bakery treats. From mellow and floral to spicy and bold, honey (especially the trending hot honey) is buzzing in everything from chocolate...
From soft sugar cuts to bold sodium slashes, the push to make baked goods and snacks better for us is heating up but progress depends on where you look
The Mexican bakery giant posted record Q1 sales by straddling a divided market - offsetting US softness with sharp growth in Latin America. From budget loaves to premium brioche, Bimbo is playing both ends to keep its global edge
This season’s snack drops aren’t playing it safe: think bold, indulgent and packed with personality. Ready to turn up the flavour for the warmer months ahead?
World Vanilla Day is back on 10 April and brands are celebrating with a wave of bold, creamy, vanilla-forward innovations
Grupo Bimbo, PepsiCo, Kellanova, JM Smucker, Hershey, Ingredion and ADM are standing out in the food industry by proving that ethics and profitability go hand in hand
Cookies are evolving faster than ever, from nostalgic classics like Oreo and Tim Tam to bold new innovations like ranch-flavoured cookies and protein-packed dough
The world’s largest baking company is navigating trade tensions and sluggish growth in North America while aggressively expanding into China’s booming food sector. Can it juggle both superpowers without losing its grip on either?
India is a chocolate box of opportunity for global food and beverage manufacturers. Its mix of youth, a booming middleclass and rising disposable incomes is an especially delicious recipe irresistible to FMCG corporates hellbent on growing revenues and...
Wonder, a historic name in the American bread industry, is venturing into the competitive sweet snacks market. How will this bold move impact established leaders like Hostess, Little Debbie, and Entenmann’s?
At the heart of the Canadian high-stakes legal battle lies a defamation lawsuit and allegations of involvement in a 14-year bread price-fixing scheme
As bread remains a staple in diets worldwide, the push to make it healthier is gaining momentum in the bakery industry. Could smarter formulations be the key to improving public health?
In this roundup, we take a look at the world’s largest bakery manufacturer expanding LATAM footprint; Campbell’s proposed name change; pladis’ focus in MENAI; and how Boundless nabbed the #1 spot in the UK’s gut-health snacks sector.
In an industry driven by taste and trends, how are bakery and snack leaders setting new standards and rewarding excellence?
Since its entry into India in 2017, the Mexican bakery giant has not only reshaped the country’s bread market’s competitive landscape, but also driven innovation and efficiency in the sector.
From grain-free pretzels crafted with superfood ingredients, to a snack that delivers a trifecta texture experience of fruit, boba and gel, to ensuring dogs are as well considered as their owners, we take a look at some of the latest launches in the...
Inflation has been running hot and while some relief is evident, consumers are exhausted by high food prices. That’s not to say that Americans are eating fewer burgers (they consume more than 50 billion every year), but forced to trade down to save...
Globally, teatime continues to maintain its relevance in modern society, providing an opportunity to socialize with family and friends, foster a sense of community and relaxation. And as consumers get more adventurous with their tastebuds, bakery...
After more than four decades with his family-owned business, Daniel Javier Servijte Montull is passing on the CEO baton, having built up an impressive legacy: Bimbo today is 8x larger than when he became CEO in 1997, has completed 93 acquisitions and...
Vanderbijlpark-based Takis Biltong scored a major victory in a trademark battle over the Mexican conglomerate – the largest bakery manufacturer in the world – in the South African Supreme Court of Appeal late last year. We contacted the plaintiff’s...
Southern Recipe Small Batch is capitalizing on the growing appeal of BBQ; three iconic brands have come together to bring the savory nuances of cheese and chilli to smoky meat snacks; and Fresh Direct has turned a potential negative into a delicious product.
Starbucks is tapping the operational expertise of Daniel Servijte – along with the media streaming knowhow of YouTube’s Neal Mohan and the consumer tech proficiency of T-Mobile’s Mike Sievert – to guide its Reinvention Strategy.
The UK bakery products manufacturer has appointed Sarah Boddy as its new MD, following the departure of David Wagstaff.
Proceeds from the Kind x Little Words Project Live Kind bracelet bundle go to FoodCorps; 10p from the sale of every Pukka Christmas Dinner pie goes to the Trussell Trust; Christmas pud is still on the menu for the majority of Brits; the Cookie Shot...
The world’s largest bakery manufacturer recently held its first Global Sustainability Summit at its head office in Mexico to review best practices, measure the progress of its Sustainability Strategy and devise plans for cooperative initiatives.
Two of the UK’s largest bakery manufacturers have joined the Federation of Bakers (FOB), the trade association representing the UK bread and bakery industry that offers professional services to members from advice in health & safety and technical...
The Mexican bakery giant has opened applications for the second round of its Bimbo Open Door Platform, designed to leverage the creativity of startups to boost its presence and competition within the global biscuit and energy bar sectors.
The world’s biggest bakery manufacturer has donated 2.8 million slices of bread to foodbanks across the world under its Bimbo Global Race (BGR) commitment, which this year saw 120,000 runners participate.
The world’s largest baking company has racked up yet another accolade on the coveted list: as the best Mexican company in the world; in fourth spot within the global F&B category; and 113 overall out of the 750 companies analysed.
One of Canada’s biggest commercial bakeries pleaded guilty for its role in a bread price-fixing scheme, was fined CA$50m - the highest on record - and has been placed on the government’s list of banned suppliers. But the reputational harm could be the...
Just as ‘racing provides [drivers] with the fuel to get going’, Entenmann’s is giving race and doughnut fans the ‘boogity, boogity, boogity’ (green flag) to win an unforgettable ride with Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
The Mexican baking giant - the largest baking company in the world - is lending its might to help Zero Carb Company (ZCC) ramp up accessibility of its unique zero carb gluten-free breads.
Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV acquired Natural Bakery in Winnipeg, Canada, and made a minority investment in Delaware-based Olyra Foods during its first quarter, which saw net profit down 9.4%, citing the sale of its confectionary business in the same quarter of...
In 2023, 135 publicly traded companies spanning 19 countries and 48 industries have been recognised for their unwavering commitment to business integrity. PepsiCo is one of six to have been made honouree since the inception of the list in 2007.