This week in industry news, Unilever extended its long-term global strategic agreement for the supply of cocoa and chocolate from the Barry Callebaut Group, while Kerry opened a taste facility in Indonesia. Pernod Ricard announced that Corby Spirit and Wine is to acquire a 90% stake in Ace Beverage Group and CSM Ingredients has unveiled the US entry of its Hi-Food unit. 

In brief: Business news
Unilever has extended its long-term global strategic agreement to supply cocoa and chocolate from the Barry Callebaut Group. Under the renewed strategic supply agreement, initially signed in 2012, Barry Callebaut will focus on delivering the latest chocolate innovations for ice cream to Unilever and, as a result, drive strategic, long-term growth globally. In addition, the agreement will see Barry Callebaut continue supporting Unilever in achieving its sustainability goals.

Kerry has opened a taste manufacturing facility in Karawang, West Java, Indonesia. It significantly expands its taste offering in Southeast Asia by delivering localized products to the company’s fast-growing markets. This is the company’s most significant greenfield investment in SEA and will encompass a manufacturing site, research and development pilot plant and a sampling hub. Its wide range of process technologies will enable the creation of authentic taste experiences inspired by popular local and traditional cuisines. The Karawang facility will support Kerry’s food and beverage customers in all food categories, including beverages, snacks, and bakery, which are among the company’s fastest-growing end-use markets.

Kerry’s taste manufacturing facility in Karawang, Indonesia.Pernod Ricard announces that Corby Spirit and Wine (Corby) is to acquire a 90% stake in Ace Beverage Group (ABG), the largest independent player in the fast-growing Canadian ready-to-drink (RTD) market, at an Enterprise Value of CAD$165 million (US$124 million). Corby will have a path to full ownership of ABG through a series of two call options on the remaining shares, exercisable in 2025 and 2028.

CSM Ingredients, a global player in the innovation and production of food tech ingredients, has unveiled the US entry of its Hi-Food unit. Headquartered in Parma, Italy, Hi-Food specializes in researching, developing, and producing natural value-added ingredients for the food industry. As part of CSM Ingredients’ platform, Hi-Food USA will be active from New York State, US. he company will support key clients from the US and worldwide to collectively transform the food industry through research, development, and innovation.

In brief: Other highlights
The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) has launched its first joint hub in North Macedonia. It is set to take regional innovation to the next level and provide local entrepreneurs, innovators and learners with innovation support. The EIT Community will boost innovation in the Western Balkans region by opening the first joint regional hub in Skopje, North Macedonia. By connecting regional actors, innovators, and partners to Europe’s largest innovation ecosystem, the new EIT Community RIS Hub will strengthen cooperation among leading business, education and research organizations while increasing the region’s competitiveness and sustainable economic growth.  

Waitrose will sell British beef from 20 native breeds.Solarec is joining Global Dairy Trade with the potential of offering a range of dairy ingredients, including butter, skim milk powder, whole milk powder and mozzarella. Solarec, 100% owned by five cooperatives (Laiterie des Ardennes accounts for 90%), is mostly a B2B dairy producer based in the Belgian Ardennes. Solarec transforms 1.55 billion liters of milk annually from two production sites (Recogne and Baudour) into 110,000 tons of milk powder, 50,000 tons of butter, and 190 million liters of UHT milk. Recently, the company has added mozzarella to its product range, with a potential annual production of 32,000 tons. 

The Crespel & Deiters Group, a wheat processor in Europe, is expanding the factory of Extruded Cereal Products , a wholly-owned company that specializes in the extrusion of agricultural raw materials. The overall investment specifically promotes the Crespel & Deiters Group’s broadening of its food segment and is part of a growth strategy that includes the recent opening of a new company in the US, notes the company.

California, US, experienced favorable weather during prune bloom and growers are observing good sizes on fruit sets, according to the California Prune Board. While production looks promising, supplies are expected to be tight again this season with an estimated 75,000 short tons (68,000 MT) in volume for the 2023 prune crop year, according to the Board’s Executive Committee. Bigger sizes for California prunes are in line with the premium quality of the crop. While still in the first half of the growing season, the prune trees in California appear happy from the wet weather with natural fruit drop, resulting in what growers anticipate will be a range of optimum sizes. 

In brief: Sustainability
The EU must strengthen its food security, autonomy and resilience of its farming sector in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s war against Ukraine, and climate change. In a resolution, adopted on Wednesday by 447 votes to 142 and 31 abstentions, the European Parliament said the EU must become less dependent on third countries and diversify the supply of critical production imports such as fertilizer, feed and raw materials. Members of parliament call for a food security plan based on food stocks, protein and feed strategy and financial support to European producers.

Launch Hydrate’s new sports drinks featuring Cognizin Citicoline.The UK pig industry has surpassed the 30% reduction target in total antibiotic use set by the RUMA Targets Task Force (TTF) between 2020 and 2024. This represents an eight-year reduction of 75%, highlighting the collaborative efforts of farmers, veterinarians, and stakeholders in the pig industry. It emphasizes their commitment to significantly reducing the use of antibiotics, flags the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. The latest figures reveal a 20% reduction in antibiotic usage for treating pigs on farms in 2022. This brings the total reduction since 2015 to 75%.

ProVeg International has joined forces with Google, the Bezos Earth Fund and more than 40 other organizations to campaign for a doubling of global bean, pea, pulse, lentil and legume consumption by 2028. The campaign will promote the value of incorporating beans into meals as part of a strategy to remove greenhouse gas emissions from the food system.

High-end UK grocer Waitrose is to sell British beef from 20 native breeds that originate in the UK. The plans include pre-packed products in the meat aisle, butchery counters, ready meals, sandwiches, stocks and gravies. The new breeds will come via the company’s exclusive beef provider Dovecote Park and include Red Ruby, Belted Galloway, Welsh Black and others.

In brief: Appointments
ADM has appointed Dr. Nuria Miquel as senior vice president and chief science officer, effective August 1. Dr. Miquel started her career as a research scientist before progressing to leadership roles at Novozymes, Tate & Lyle, Chr. Hansen and Hempel. She joined ADM three years ago as the leader of science and technology for the company’s Nutrition segment.

Bell Flavors & Fragrances is reorganizing its management team. Holger Wetzler has taken over as managing director of the Leipzig-based company, according to a company announcement this week. He is now responsible for all business units and international locations of Bell Flavors & Fragrances in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Barentz welcomes John DeVos as president of its North American Animal Nutrition Division. Jerry Vergeer, who previously served as the president of the Animal Nutrition Division in North America, will transition to a global advisory role to support strategy and principal development across the business.

In brief: Innovation and NPD
Beyond Meat has launched the newest iteration of Beyond Sausage, with an “even juicier, meatier taste and texture.” The latest version of the plant-based sausage in retail comes ahead of season, particularly as Americans plan for July 4 celebrations. 

Launch Hydrate has introduced its new sports drinks featuring Cognizin Citicoline. The company notes that with a blend of electrolytes and essential vitamins and minerals, athletes can hydrate quickly, focus better, and recover faster. The growing inclination for physically active and fitness-related activities among millennials, increasing purchasing power, and willingness to pay for healthier alternatives are key factors accelerating the demand for sports beverage products. In addition, sports beverages have several benefits, including minimizing dehydration and electrolytes to replac sweat and maintain electrolyte balance in the body.