Renovating products could boost growth

08-Jan-2009 - Renovation as well as innovation could help food and beverage manufacturers who are looking for growth in a downturn economy, according to an outlook report on the year ahead by the Nielsen Company.

Soybean oil prices tumble on petroleum fall

22-Dec-2008 - Falling petroleum prices and an abundance of other vegetable oils has brought soybean oil prices a new low – but other oils are eating away at market share.

Obama nominates next US secretary of agriculture

18-Dec-2008 - President-Elect Barack Obama has nominated the former Iowa governor Tom Vilsack to be the 30th Secretary of Agriculture.

Shift to shelf-stable food amid volatile prices

17-Dec-2008 - Consumers are expected to switch from fresh food to more shelf-stable goods in 2009, but the food and beverage sector has a rocky road ahead, according to an industry analyst.

GM crop output rises but can it deliver?

04-Dec-2008 - The US remains the global leader in the production of genetically modified crops but questions remain over their ability to address promises of enhanced yields and nutrition, according to a new report.

Potential impact of antidumping on citric acid

03-Dec-2008 - The prospect of antidumping measures for citric acid looms in the US after an investigation found Chinese companies selling products below market value. But one industry player says the duties would have a limited impact.

Barclays downgrades US packaged food sector

28-Nov-2008 - Barclays Capital has adjusted its outlook for the packaged food sector in the US as it is not expected to see the benefits of lower commodity prices in the near future.

Quality is key to sustaining private label growth

24-Nov-2008 - The economic downturn in the US is leading to strong sales increases for store brand products, but high quality standards need to be maintained to make sure they are long-lasting, experts warn.

Food manufacturers told to drop prices

21-Nov-2008 - Food manufacturers should lower food prices following a significant drop in the cost of commodities and energy, according to the National Corn Growers Association’s CEO, Rick Tolman.

Rising prices harder to swallow in 2009

19-Nov-2008 - Food manufacturers will find it harder to pass on rising costs to consumers next year and, in a shaky economy, competition will remain intense, according to a new report.

News in brief

FAO chief appeals to Obama to help end world hunger

06-Nov-2008 - The director-general of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), Jacques Diouf, has called on US President-elect Barack Obama to make the eradication of world hunger a priority.

US election impact on GM food

31-Oct-2008 - Genetically modified food companies should be paying particular attention to the results of next week’s presidential election as they could face tough times ahead, according to a Soil Association report.

Food flavoring agent from biofuel waste

31-Oct-2008 - Scientists have developed a way to transform a waste byproduct from biofuel production into a food ingredient agent using E. coli.

Sugar cane innovation expected to reduce costs

30-Oct-2008 - Syngenta is developing new technology which it says will dramatically improve the cost efficiency of sugar cane planting by growing it from smaller cane segments that are less labor intensive.

Demand for frozen products robust

29-Oct-2008 - Vegetables are the most popular frozen food among Americans, accounting for 40 percent of shopper purchases, according to a new study which comes as frozen products are expected to see a boost in tight economic times.

New food bases said to be cost and shelf stable

28-Oct-2008 - Advanced Food Systems said it has launched a new line of dry bases using ingredients that can easily stand up to the rigors of the manufacturing process, as well as helping to save on energy costs.

Global 2020 vision of the food industry

24-Oct-2008 - Food companies developing new products need to pay more attention to consumer expectations as shoppers seek more information, choices and accountability over what they buy, a new study said.

Legal challenge to new cheese regulations

22-Oct-2008 - Legal challenge to new cheese regulationsCheese makers including Kraft Canada have taken legal action against changes to regulations for the way cheese is made, which...

Cost of caramel colors rises

20-Oct-2008 - DD Williamson is warning its customers that the price of its caramel colors could increase by up to 30 percent next year due to economic conditions.

New industry group aims to safeguard bottom line success

07-Oct-2008 - A new forum has been set up to help food, beverage and consumer products companies adapt to market changes and share ideas to ensure continued financial success amid economic challenges.

Analyst sees no holiday respite for price pressured processors

22-Sep-2008 - There is a long cold winter expected ahead for US ‘luxury’ food manufacturers as the weakest consumer spending over a holiday period since 1991 is this year expected to dent the industry’s festive spirits, says new findings.

Grain markets bounce back after fears of AIG offload

18-Sep-2008 - Corn, wheat and soy prices have made a quick recovery following emergency action by CME to prevent the market being flooded after the $85bn government bail-out of insurance giant AIG.

Innovation can ease rising costs

17-Sep-2008 - Introducing new products can help companies alleviate the burden of high food inflation because consumers will not be so concerned about a change in price, according to a new report on the food manufacturing industry from the Conference Board of Canada.

Ingredients squeezed out by commodity pressures

27-Aug-2008 - Food companies are changing their formulations and switching to cheaper ingredients in an effort to tackle rising commodity costs.