New data from the Association of European Producers of Steel
Packaging (APEAL) suggests that the recycling of cans and other
steel containers in the EU is becoming well established. Last
year's recycling rate topped 60 per cent...
Spain is one of the biggest producers of organic food in Europe,
but the vast majority of its output is exported. Domestic shoppers
are put off by the high price of organic food and by the fact that
it is frequently hard to find,...
Despite significant restructuring following the acquisition of
Pillsbury in 2001, US bakery and foods giant General Mills is
reported to be satisfied with its overall results for the first
quarter of fiscal 2004.
Parmalat's sales in the Americas have been affected by the
appreciation of the euro against the US and Canadian dollar during
the first half, with bakery sales noticeably down.
The UK Consumers' Association claims to have revealed a range of
confusing, and sometimes misleading labels on food products. The
results of its honest labelling campaign indicate that food
manufacturers have made little effort...
The world's biggest breakfast cereal producer, Kellogg, has
reported better-than-expected results in the second quarter, driven
by innovation and consumer promotions.
Disappointing results from French food and drink group Danone saw
biscuit sales dropping 6 per cent to €1.5 billion. However, they
would have risen by 1.1 per cent on a like-for-like basis.
Glass and aluminium are losing out to plastic as French beverage
packaging manufacturers move towards PET in a big way. But the
entire sector has suffered over the past year, following a poor
summer 2002 which seriously held back...
Although nearly two thirds of the world's beer continues to be
distributed in refillable glass bottles, the real dynamism in the
drinks packaging market as a whole is coming from PET, claims a new
report from beverage analysts...
Price discounting in Germany and the strength of the Swiss franc
severly reduced exports of biscuits and crackers from Switzerland
to Germany, by far the most important foreign market.
Grundfos, the Danish-based manufacturer of water pumps widely used
in the food and beverage industry, has reported growth in turnover
of 5 per cent for the 2002 financial year.
A survey of Spanish consumers shows that most believe the quality
and safety of food and drink products is high - and that trust in a
brand or a retailer is one of the key factors when it comes to
choosing what to buy.
The merger of PepsiCo with compatriot Quaker Oats gave a major
boost to operating profits at the giant snack food and soft drinks
group in 2002 - and the recent reorganisation of the international
business should lead to further gains...
Increased expenditure on brand-building and promotions helped
US-based cereals and snack foods group Kellogg to a 10 per cent
increase in sales for 2002, a good result after a turbulent year in
2001.
Belgian speciality beer maker Duvel Moortgat shrugged off declining
volumes in France and the Netherlands to post a 9 per cent rise in
first half turnover, helped by strong performances in the UK and
US.
The European Parliament yesterday approved by an overwhelming
majority a motion to raise the proposed amount of packaging waste
that should be recycled from 55 per cent to 65 per cent.
An agressive policy of acquisitions and a broadening of the
business into prepared foods, foodservice and sepciality
ingredients contributed to a strong rise in first half sales and
profits at Ireland's Kerry group.
Europe's leading food retail chain Carrefour has surprised even
itself with the publication of first half results which were much
better than expected.
Graham Packaging Holdings, the US-based plastic packaging provider,
has said its worldwide unit sales increased 4 per cent in the
second quarter of 2002 and 7 per cent in the first six months of
2002, compared to the same periods...
Consumers might be interested in healthy bakery products but are
still not buying enough to merit dramatic changes in the production
for the bakery industry, reports a recent poll carrried out by
BakeryNet.com.
