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All news articles > May 2004
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28-May-2004
Australian wheat bounces back
Australian wheat producer and marketer AWB has announced a significant rebound in its after half yearly tax profits on the back of significantly improved wheat crops.
China to solve soy supply problem?
After years of struggling to meet increasing domestic demand for soy products, Chinese government officials believe that discussions with the Brazilian government may have solved the problem. Trade talks held in Beijing this week have reached a commercial agreement which could see vast swathes of Amazonian forest cleared in order to grow future crops for the world's most populace country.
First the world, then home
Xi'An Green Freeze Dried Product is a small China company producing freeze dried ingredients. Having built up its business entirely from exports it is now eyeing the Eastern European market, but the domestic market is still some way off, reports Simon Pitman.
Tagatose sweetened chocolate
Arla Foods Ingredients is to launch chocolate using tagatose sweetner supplied by Spherix Incorporated for products to be sold in the Australia and New Zealand markets.
27-May-2004
China's Heilongjiang Jiusan soybean crusher to list and diversify
China's third largest soybean crusher Heilongjiang Jiusan is doubling its output -- to one quarter of the country's total - as it prepares to float on the Hong Kong stock exchange next year.
European retailers expand China operations
Two of Europe's major retail chains, Carrefour and Metro, have announced plans to expand their operations in China, while a third, Tesco, is still on the hunt for a partner to enable it to enter the country's market.
China's wine imports grow nearly 50 per cent
Chinese wine imports increased by nearly 50 per cent last year, according to figures released by the Beijing customs authorities, with a value amounting to almost €26 million, an increase which is being attributed to lower import tariffs and increasingly westernised consumer tastes.
26-May-2004
Hong Kong stock exchange setback for Chinese dairy
Plans for China's biggest milk producer to float on the Hong Kong stock exchange were dealt with a blow last week, as Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell to its lowest rate in almost eight months.
Tackling foodborne disease - vital for health and trade
Foodborne diseases pose a serious threat to densely populated areas of Asia and the Pacific - both to the health of the people living there and to these regions' chances of exporting their products to more developed markets in the west, according to food safety officials meeting in Malaysia this week. The key to solving the problem is to focus on the areas where action is needed most.
25-May-2004
Global action to combat animal disease threat
Transboundary animal diseases are on the increase, say the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO). As a result, both bodies have decided to strengthen their collaboration.
24-May-2004
Hong Kong stock exchange setback for Chinese dairy
Plans for China's biggest milk producer to float on the Hong Kong stock exchange were dealt with a blow last week, as Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell to its lowest rate in almost eight months.
21-May-2004
Cosmos bottling ups results
Cosmos bottles, part of the San Miguel food and drink group, says it has upped its sales by 10 per cent in 2003 and is expecting even stronger growth in 2004 as it expands its distribution in the Philippines.
Battle for China's Harbin beer continues to brew
Anheuser-Busch has announced the completion of a deal to purchase around 29 per cent of Chinese brewer Harbin, which is currently subject to a hostile takeover bid by SABMiller.
Australia benefiting from Asian ban on US beef
An Australian beef industry leader has indicated that the Australian beef sector is riding a short-term boom following a series of bans on US beef exports to major Asian markets.
Czech brewer wins Korean battle
Czech Republic brewer Budejovicky Budvar has claimed to have won a legal victory over global beer giant Anheuser-Busch after it was granted sole use of its trademark by a South Korean high court, following an appeal.
Solbar looks to China
At the beginning of the year Israel-based soy proteins specialist Solbar, announced its move into the soy proteins in China. Simon Pitman spoke to the company about the project and discovered that soy protein demand is a major driving force behind the company's rapid growth.
Interbrew to launch Becks in China
Belgian brewing giant Interbrew has confirmed that its premium Beck's beer brand is to be distributed throughout China after a tie-up agreement was forged with its China brewing partner Zhujiang brewery.
19-May-2004
Frutarom boosted by China growth
Israeli flavours and ingredients group Frutarom says that growth in the China flavours market, in addition to its recent merger, is one of the driving forces behind its 55 per cent quarterly sales growth.
China's big problem : food piracy
The news that an investigation has been ordered by China's premier, Wen Jiabao, into the deaths of at least 12 babies after drinking fake formula milk has led to a renewed quest for manufactuers to find packaging solutions to help combat the problem.
Heineken to be made in Australia
Competition in the Australian beer market has been stepped up with the announcement that wine and beer group Lion Nathan will make and sell and Heineken Lager in Australia through a joint venture with the global Dutch brewer.
18-May-2004
Biotech food – promising potential but no panacea
Biotechnology could help farmers in developing countries significantly improve their fortunes, but only a few are currently able to benefit as many basic food crops are ignored by biotech scientists, according to a report from the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
14-May-2004
Thai chicken processor shakes off bird flu
One of Thailand's leading providers of processed chicken, Charoen Pokphand Foods, says that it has reduced its net losses in its first quarter, results that indicate the recent bird flu epidemic has not impacted sales as badly as first thought.
Chinese processors struggle against rising costs
Rising food and beverage prices have been blamed for China's Consumer Price Index hitting a seven year high of 3.8 per cent. Food manufacturers say that rising grain and power costs are the reasons for the hikes, as economists warn that the economy may be overheating.
China adopts western technology to boost brewing potential
A major Chinese brewer is adopting hi-tech methods and promoting the growth of new varieties of hops from the USA, UK and Germany to boost brewing production. Domestic producers in China, which recently became the world's biggest beer market, are having to modernise quickly in the face of growing western competition, writes Anthony Fletcher.
Danisco rides China ingredients boom
ASPAC Danisco, the Asia Pacific division of Denmark-based ingredients giant Danisco, has recently reported organic sales growth of 32 per cent for the nine months up to January 2004. Simon Pitman spoke to the division's president, Tero Huopaniemi, to find out what drove this significant growth.
Healthy snack launches
The latest launches from Mintel's GNPD database reveal an emphasis on snacks and dairy products this week, with a varied selection of new ranges from Vietnam, Singapore and the Philippines that focus on healthy properties.
13-May-2004
Harbin: resist SABMiller's offer
Harbin, the leading Chinese brewery, has advised shareholders to resist SABMiller's takeover bid for the company. The bid was influenced by Ancheuser-Busch's 29 per cent acquisition of the company earlier in the week. SABMiller now awaits a response from shareholders, writes Danny Vincent.
Little relief for food prices in 2004
With shortfalls in grain harvests progressively worsening over the past four years, closing the gap will not be easy, says Lester Brown at the Earth Policy Institute. He predicts this year may witness another shortfall, bad news for food makers and ingredients firms currently knocked by rising global food commodity prices, writes Lindsey Partos.
Soy benefits reduced through food processing
In what could be seen as a blow to the fast-growing market for soy products, a new study from the US suggests that processing soy for use in supplements and food products could seriously reduce its cancer-fighting ability.
China cola heads for US
Hangzhou Wahaha, one of China's leading manufacturers of fizzy drinks has made its premier shipment of cola carbonated drinks to the US, a first for a Chinese company.
11-May-2004
Global orders help Krones achieve good first quarter
Krones, the market leader for beverage filling and packaging machinery, has reported increased order bookings, sales revenues and profits for the first quarter of 2004 despite gloomy prognoses for the German economy. This bodes well for the sector as a whole.
05-May-2004
China beer war
SABMiller, the second largest brewer in the world, said it intends to increase its 29 per cent stake in Harbin, China's leading brewer. The announcement comes in direct response to rival brewer Anheuser-Busch's move to secure a 29 per cent stake in Harbin earlier this week.
Black bean milk plant under way
Chinese food company Guangxi Heiwulei Food Group is to invest CNY140 million (€14m) to build a black bean milk plant in Guangxi autonomous region, southern China.
Malyasian palm oil producers await nod from Kraft
Malaysian palm oil producers are anticipating a big step up in demand after US food giant Kraft confirmed that it had plans to use more palm oil in processed foods for the US market.
GM corn given nod from China
US-based Dow Agro Science has confirmed that its grain corn containing an insect resistant trait has received regulatory approval for import into China.
03-May-2004
Anheuser invests in Harbin
Anheuser-Busch has confirmed that it is to buy a 29 per cent stake in China's Harbin Brewery Group - a deal that will increase its presence in the world's largest beer market, but not without treading on a few feet.
Australia clears prebiotic sweetener
Danish ingredients firm Arla Food Ingredients steps into new markets with its low calorie bulk sweetener tagatose as the food watchdog for Australia and New Zealand gives the green light for use in foods that span from cereals to ice cream. With a low glycaemic response, Arla can anticipate clear opportunities in the burgeoning low carbohydrate product market, writes Lindsey Partos.
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