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26-Nov-2004

Wheat prices exposed as stocks remain at all time lows

Despite a fall in prices, the cost of wheat-based ingredients is likely to remain under pressure on the back of ongoing low global stocks, risks to Australian and Canadian production and a possible restocking from China.

China news round-up

A look at the other leading news stories in China reveals that organic food production and meat production are continuing to grow and that the goverment is aiming to continue improvement in the quality of food exports.

Crown expands oilseed processing equipment

Crown Iron Works, a leading provider of oilseed processing plants and equipment, is to consolidate its four China production facilities into one in an effort to meet increased demands.

25-Nov-2004

Soy seasoning leader invests in Thailand

Kikkoman, the world's number one soy sauce brewer, sets its sights on Thailand investing over one billion yen on a new plant for processed food products.

Packaging breakthrough promises to replace foil

A new, technologically advanced heat-sealable metallised OPP film, designed to replace the foil and sealant in traditional paper-polyethylene-foil-polyethylene (PPFP) structures, has been developed.

24-Nov-2004

Chr Hansen ingredients unit up for sale

Number one cultures supplier Chr. Hansen is up for sale as its major stakeholder decides to pull away from the ingredients slice of the company to focus on the pharmaceutical unit. The move will make the company's still growing cultures division in China a prime target for speculators.

Wal-Mart allows union representation in China stores

Wal-Mart has reversed its decision not to allow trade unions for its store workers in China. Bowing to pressure from government authorities, the move comes as a strong sign that international food and beverage businesses must heed Chinese laws.

Kirin buys up 25 per cent stake in China brewer

Japan's Kirin Brewery has taken a 25 per cent stake in Chinese beer manufacturer Dalian Daxue Brewery. The move is part of Kirin's aims to expand its reach in the rapidly growing beer market there.

Vietnamese coffee exports increase 47 per cent

Viet Nam has increased its exports of coffee on the back of competitive pricing and high production volumes.

Tetra Pak aims to exceed regulatory demands

Tetra Pak is showcasing a range of products it believes will help processors exceed regulatory obligations and offer cutting edge production techniques. Anthony Fletcher reports.

19-Nov-2004

China lifts Chr Hansen results

Chr Hansen's full year results reveal that the continued growth of the China market is helping the ingredients company to fight off the problem of increasing costs.

Elders aims to triple exports to China

Leading Australian agricultural group Elders is aiming to triple exports of livestock and grains China in the course of the next three years.

Multi-purpose packaging quality tester launched

A new system that offers both pressure loss measurement and packaging seal strength has been launched.

18-Nov-2004

IFF eyes China to up global ingredients capacity

International Flavors & Fragrances says it is planning the construction of a new specialty ingredients manufacturing plant in China, in a move that aims to boost global production capacity.

Oil-free compressed air for food processors launched

Engineered Air provider FS-Elliott has launched a compressor for food and beverage processors that it claims offers 100 per cent oil-free, particulate filtered air.

17-Nov-2004

Friesland Coberco pulls out of China

Dutch dairy producer Friesland Coberco says it is transferring its China manufacturing operations to its joint venture partner, Tianjin Sino-Finnish Dairy Research due to the 'rapidly deteriorating conditions' in the dairy market there.

Australian dairy sector remains 'cautiously optimistic'

Dairy Australia, the Australian dairy industry association, has hailed innovative dairy categories for driving domestic growth, but warns that the performance of traditional dairy categories is still weak, hampered by declining demand and a strong international commodity market, as Tom Armitage reports.

News round-up

In Thailand only four major chicken producers look set survive bird flu and the Oishi Group reports a huge leap in sales of green tea. And in the Philippines, Pure Foods finalises details of its venture with CoffeeMix.

News round-up

In Thailand only four major chicken producers look set survive bird flu and the Oishi Group reports a huge leap in sales of green tea. And in the Philippines, Pure Foods finalises details of its venture with CoffeeMix.

Danisco to build flavours facility in Malaysia

Danisco Flavours has said that it will double its flavour production in Asia with the construction of a brand new production facility at its existing emulsifier and functional systems plant in Penang, Malaysia.

Fish processors discover benefits of recycling

An innovative Australian scheme to recycle thousands of tonnes of fish processing waste could dramatically cut down the need for landfill space, save food processors money and, in the end, produce a useful product.

15-Nov-2004

InBev acquires control of China brewer

InBev is acquiring the remaining 45 per cent interest in Hunan Debier Brewery, located in Hunan province, China, for $18.2 million. The move is part of InBev's ongoing integration process of the Lion Group Breweries, which it acquired earlier this year.

Coca-Cola looks to China for future growth

A slump in international sales means that Coca-Cola is set to switch its focus to the China market in an effort to sustain growth. The company said that with current economic growth continuing apace, China should be its third biggest market by 2008.

Finger print technology for brand protection

Sherwood Technology has developed a new generation colour change technique to fight counterfeiting in the food industry.

Unilever closes facility as part of regional outsourcing plan

Unilever Philippines has said that it will shut down its Las Piñas food production plant as part of moves to increase regional efficiencies through outsourcing.

11-Nov-2004

Traceability revolution a golden opportunity, says industry expert

The drive towards complete supply chain traceability is putting incredible pressure on food manufacturers, especially private-label processors. But one industry expert believes that the industry must view this revolution as a golden opportunity to build client trust and increase profits. Anthony Fletcher reports.

10-Nov-2004

China gets tough on authorities over food pirating

China is cracking down on government officials over alleged misconduct that led to the deaths of at least 13 babies in China's North-Eastern provinces following the illegal sale of fake milk powder.

Transport costs up need for efficiencies

The rising price of global freight and fuel costs means that food business worldwide need to streamline their operations. As the transport requirement of China continue to put pressure on shipping availabiliy, a new report suggests that there are still the means to achieve this goal.

Singapore wins over Tate & Lyle for new venture

Strong campaigning by a top Singapore authority has lured UK sugar giants Tate and Lyle to choose Singapore as the home of its new £97 million sucralose factory, as the firm looks to launch its zero calorie, sugar-based sweetner across the region.

Rexam buys out China can manufacturer

Rexam, the UK-based global packaging company, has reached an agreement to acquire the 40 per cent shareholding it does not own in the Chinese beverage can business, Rexam Beverage Can Zhao Qing, from its joint venture partner, Hua Xing Investment Limited.

09-Nov-2004

Advanced terpolymers developed for better packaging

Borealis has developed new advanced Borseal terpolymers to improve biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), a raw material used in clear film packaging.

05-Nov-2004

Rising costs of carrageenan hits manufacturers

Increasing consumption of carrageenan in the China market is impacting the global price of the Asian produced ingredient as US-based company FMC BioPolymer announces an 8 per cent increase in the price of its food grade gum based on the seaweed ingredient.

China retail de-regulations: good or bad thing?

As retail regulations in China are set to undergo big changes, many leading multinational retailers are queuing up in readiness to capitalize on more liberal trading conditions. Simon Pitman takes a closer look at the changes to find out exactly what they will mean to food retailers.

Hormel and SMC open largest hotdog factory in Asia

San Miguel Corporation and Hormel Foods have confirmed plans to open Asia's largest hotdog factory in Cavite, Philippines. Operating under Purefoods Hormel name, the plant will initially focus on supplying the domestic market, with a view to concentrating on regional expansion in the future. Simon Pitman reports.

DeltaTRAK launches RFID humidity sensor

Testing equipment manufacturer DeltaTRAK has launched the FlashLink Wireless System, a temperature and humidity sensor that expands the use of RFID technology in food production.

US food safety business turns focus to China

US-based e-FoodSafety.com, which provides services for the safety of fruits, vegetables and meats, has signed a distribution agreement to supply its ozone equipment with Lead Harvest in China.

03-Nov-2004

Asian news round-up

In the Philippines San Miguel concentrates on further expanding its domestic business by moving into a coffee venture, while Thai authorities say that, although the current bird flu outbreak is under control, more could follow. And in China a return of migrant workers back to the Provinces is causing manufacturers headaches in the main industrial regions.

China food retail sector set to boom in 2005

The deregulation of the China retail market is set to provide significant opportunities for international food retailers next year as restrictions that have limited foreign players to joint ventures in the major conurbations are lifted. Simon Pitman reports.

Danone set to reap increasing dividends in Asia Pacific

French dairy giant Danone is poised to benefit from bullish growth in the Asia-Pacific region. Analysts say that a recent investor trip by company executives to China confirms its intentions to expand aggressively in the region, adding that the company stands to beat off the competition. Simon Pitman reports.

American Dairy claims head-start over multinationals

American Dairy, one of the leading producers and distributors of milk powder and soybean products, has said that it is well poised to expand into China's emerging dairy industry, claiming that it has succeeded where many of the multinationals have not because of better market knowledge.

Benefits of poultry antibiotics may outweigh risks

The potential benefits to human health associated with the use of antibiotics in chicken may outweigh the potential risks, according to a risk-benefit analysis carried out by scientists. The report may bring some cheer to Asian poultry farmers, who are struggling to overcome the effects of bird flu.

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