November’s top stories: Cadbury in Cocoa Life, Snyder’s-Lance to sell Diamond of California

Cadbury partners with Fairtrade

Fairtrade and UK-based confectionary company Cadbury entered a global partnership called Cocoa Life programme, to secure the long-term future of cocoa farming communities.

The new global partnership will support the rollout of Cocoa Life to Cadbury brands, driving greater scale and impact for cocoa farmers and their communities.

The new programme will cover all Cadbury brands in key markets worldwide. The programme will initially start in the UK and begin in Ireland next year.

Snyder’s-Lance to sell Diamond of California business

US-based snack food manufacturer Snyder's-Lance agreed to sell its Diamond of California culinary nut business to Blue Road Capital.

The financial details of the deal weren't divulged by either company. Snyder's-Lance said that the divestiture of Diamond of California is part of the company’s strategy to focus more resources on the growth opportunities for its core brands.

With this divesture, the company aims to improve its capital efficiency and anticipates the transaction to be closed by the end of this year.

Cargill develops new omega-3-rich canola

Global food company Cargill developed a new type of canola, which is suitable for aquaculture farmers looking a more sustainable way to raise fish rich in EPA/DHA omega-3 fatty acids.

The new type of product is developed in collaboration with German chemical company BASF using plant-based nutrients, which can be used as substitute for the fish oil in aquaculture feed and could ease harvest pressure on wild fish populations that currently supply much of that oil.

Cargill conducted feeding trials on salmon in Chile, where it was able to completely replace fish oil in feed rations with oil from EPA/DHA canola.

ADB approves $86.41m loan for irrigation and agriculture in Pakistan

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is to provide an $86.41m loan to the Swabi and Nowshehra districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, for the purchase of new irrigation systems to enhance regional agriculture production and improve water management.

Agriculture is reported to be an important sector in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the poverty level is estimated at 29%, which is 7% higher than the national average.

The industry also adds nearly 18% to the province’s overall gross domestic product, while engaging more than 37% of people in the sector’s activities.

Olymel acquires Pinnacle Farms in Alberta

Canadian meat distributor Olymel acquired Pinnacle Farms, a major hog producer located east of Calgary, near Strathmore, Alberta.

The financial details of the transaction weren't disclosed. Pinnacle currently has a workforce of nearly 30 people, who will now be part of the Olymel staff.

According to the deal, Olymel will take over all inventory and management of Pinnacle Farms operations. The assets to be acquired by Olymel include a quarantine barn, sow barns, nursery barns and finishing barns.

Algatech joins FoodConnects consortium

Microalgae-based ingredient producer Algatechnologies (Algatech) became a member of the FoodConnects consortium.

The Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) includes EU member states, as well as associated countries such as Israel, universities and scientific partners covering the entire food value chain.

Algatech has been selected by the KIC leaders as it is the sole algae player participating in the €1,200m initiative. It will be working within EIT Food to develop new food sources from microalgae utilising its technologies and expertise.

Jamaican Government urges goat and sheep farmers to boost meat production

The Jamaican Government is urging its goat and sheep farmers to increase the production of meat in order to meet the growing demand from distributors.

The distributors in the country are being encouraged to support local production instead of importing. It was announced by the Jamaican Ministry of Industry Commerce Agriculture and Fisheries acting permanent secretary Reginald Budhan.

Budhan said: “When we (the ministry) looked at the level of imports, we concluded that we had to make imports less attractive. So we prepared a comprehensive analysis, which was presented to the Ministry of Finance in 2012, and we were successful in getting the duties increased.”

Kaiima collaborates with Horizon Ag for new rice varieties

Genetics and breeding technology company Kaiima Bio-Agritech collaborated with US-based Horizon Ag in order to develop new, high-performing rice varieties.

Initiated last year, the multi-year project combines US adapted germplasm sourced by Horizon Ag and Kaiima's EP technology platform.

Horizon Ag and Kaiima recently completed the development phase and are entering the new EP rice varieties in first-year yield trials by next year across selected locations in the US rice growing belt.

EU Commission to strengthen dairy producers' position in supply chain

The European Commission released the second report on the operation of the so-called Milk Package, which featured a series of measures launched in 2012 to bolster the position of European dairy producers in the supply chain.

The report suggests that after three years of implementation, farmers across Europe have been effectively using the tools offered by the Milk Package, such as collective negotiation of contract terms via producer organisations, or the use of written contracts.

The measures suggested for the dairy farmers have resulted in collective negotiation among dairy farmers, as well as reinforced their bargaining power, whilst written contracts offer better transparency and traceability to farmers.

Givaudan invests in Flavour Innovation Centre in Singapore

Flavouring company Givaudan invested ($4.9m) in the expansion of its Flavour Innovation Centre (FIC) in Singapore.

The FIC is home to the Asia Pacific (APAC) campus of the Givaudan Flavour School and the APAC Academy, which supports continuous learning.

The expanded Singapore centre will feature a fully integrated culinary space for concept development, as well as new or expanded savoury, bakery, confectionery, beverage and dairy facilities to serve all market sectors.