Cereal manufacturers will continue to diversify through acquisitions and by switching resources to other parts of the breakfast market, according to analysts Lux Research.
With sales of healthy snack bars booming in the US, industry experts predict vegetables and savory flavors could become key weapons in maintaining growth.
General Mills expects its cereals and snacks brands to drive growth in the business in the coming year – the second vote of confidence in the US cereals market from a major manufacturer in recent months.
Universal Picture's smash-hit Minions characters helped boost revenues at UK bakery business Finsbury Food Group to more than £150m ($211m) in the first half of its financial year.
United Biscuits is launching a £15m ($21.5m) marketing push for its Jacob’s savory snack brand in the UK focused on how the products make consumers feel.
UK business Great Food Affairs is expanding its Slabs crisp brand – which claims to be four times thicker than standard crisps - with a single-serve range.
Lantmännen has reported strong growth in its food business in 2015 following new product launches, improved efficiency and the acquisition of Finnish bakery business Vaasan.
Manufacturer Orkla is reviewing its Finnish production operations – stating it is spending too much on maintaining and operating its Nordics and Baltics facilities.
Snyder’s-Lance has reported an estimated 4% year on year increase in net sales for 2015 – despite a “tougher retailing environment” and a last-quarter performance below expectations.
Innovation including the Cadbury Amaze Bites brownies launched last year have driven a strong performance for the cakes business of UK manufacturer Premier Foods.
A new approach to product development by General Mills – testing foods directly with consumers in store - reflects how important the ‘voice of the crowd’ has become, according to a leading analyst.
US pancake and baking mix supplier Flapjacked is developing new products using probiotic GanedenBC30 after launching a range of ‘probiotic-charged mug cakes’.
Hostess Brands’ rumored acquisition of Canada’s Give & Go Prepared Foods Corp would enable the Twinkies owner to tap key growth trends in the cake market, a leading industry analyst claims.
Online snacking brand Graze says it has doubled its distribution points in UK retail since expanding into the bricks-and-mortar market less than six months ago.
Wisconsin-based Angelic Bakehouse will make its popular Sprouted Seven-Grain bread available in Costco locations across the US Midwest after years of availability in small shops.
With KIND’s announcement that it will be cutting sugar across its line of fruit and nut snack bars, one analyst said this is a move the company hopes will help sustain its quick ascent in the snack aisle.
‘In the food industry we have seen considerable adoption of robots on the packing line but as yet there has been limited use for robots in the processing of raw materials,’ says Jake Norman, business development manager, OAL (Olympus Automation Ltd) Group.