October’s top stories: Del Monte sells US unit, Barry Callebaut’s Turkey plant

Del Monte to sell US Consumer Products unit for $1.67bn

Del Monte Foods, an American food production and distribution company, has signed an agreement to sell its Consumer Products business to Del Monte Pacific (DMPL) for $1.67bn.

This sale is a part of Del Monte’s strategy to focus on its pet food business and would ensure that the company’s Pet Products and Consumer Products divisions are well positioned for growth in their respective markets.

The agreement follows a strategic review that determined a sale of the Consumer Products business would provide growth opportunities for the two businesses.

Arla Foods to establish global innovation centre in Denmark

Arla Foods, a Swedish-Danish dairy co-operative, is to establish a new global innovation centre in Aarhus, Denmark, with an investment of DKK270m.

Investment is a part of the co-operative’s strategy to become one of the leading dairy innovators in the world.

The 10,000m² facility will bring together Arla’s innovation resources under a single roof and become part of the Danish Food Cluster.

Barry Callebaut brings Turkish chocolate facility online

Barry Callebaut, a Swiss cocoa and chocolate products manufacturer, has brought its first chocolate manufacturing facility in Turkey online, following an investment of CHF16m ($17m).

Located in Eskisehir, close to existing and potential confectionery customers, the facility will serve as a local base for the company and allows it to further expand into the domestic chocolate market.

It will also enable the company to enter untapped markets in the EEMEA (Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa) region.

Tesco reveals food waste figures across operations and supply chain

Tesco, a UK retailer, has become the first major retailer in the country to reveal the levels of food waste across its operations.

According to the company, the move is part of its commitment to tackling food waste and work with suppliers and customers to address the issue.

The food waste figures showed that 68% of all salad grown for bagged salads ends up as waste, with 35% of this waste occurring in the home.

UK launches Agri-Tech Catalyst to support agricultural innovations

The UK Government has launched a new £70m Agri-Tech Catalyst to offer funding to support new agricultural technology innovations in the country.

The announcement was made by Universities and Science minister David Willetts.

This development is part of the government’s recent UK Strategy for Agricultural Technologies, which seeks to position the country at the forefront of the sustainable intensification of agricultural production.

Sun Branding Solutions buys food specification software business

Sun Branding Solutions, a global brand lifecycle management agency, has acquired food specification software business FoodSpecifications.com, for an undisclosed amount.

The newly acquired tool collects, manages and distributes product information, such as specification details, nutritional data and packaging information.

It complements Sun Branding Solutions’ existing legal, regulatory and packaging technology services.

Maple Leaf Foods explores options to exit bakery business

Maple Leaf Foods is considering strategic alternatives for its bakery business, including a possible sale of its 90% stake in Canada Bread.

The move is part of the company’s strategy to focus on its meat business and follows a review of opportunities to boost profitability across its global bakery business.

Nestlé brings Russian Maggi production factory online

Swiss food giant Nestlé has opened a facility in Russia for its Maggi range of products, following an investment of CHF73m ($80.7m).

Located in Vyazniki in the Vladimir region, the plant will cater to the local demand as well as export Maggi products to other Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries.

It will manufacture Maggi products, including seasonings, sauces, instant soups, bouillons and purees, with a production capacity of 30,000t each year.