Global beverages group, The Coca-Cola Company, has told investors and analysts of their plans to more than double revenue by 2020. Senior management are discussing the global and local forces that are likely to shape its business for the next decade at a two-day event, titled “A Growing World of Refreshment.” The event will conclude overnight Australian time. The company outlined the “6 Core P’s” of its vision, which will be the focus for the coming decade. These include:... ...Read more »

The Fame and Shame Awards announcement by the Parents Jury are a “shameless attempt to discredit the industry and the recent success it has achieved, especially in marketing food and beverage products to children”, according to the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC). “Parents aren’t easily fooled by this annual propaganda – instead they should be reminded about the important steps industry is taking to make healthier choices easier and to reduce advertising to... ...Read more »

Children’s health advocacy group The Parents Jury today announced the winners of four ‘Shame’ awards for “unhealthy food and drink marketing to children”, and one Parents’ Choice ‘Fame’ award for a campaign that promotes healthy lifestyles to children. Fast-food chain McDonald’s faced the greatest criticism, taking out three of the four shame awards while Sanitarium and Batlow Apples were lauded for their healthy approach. The Parent Jury, an... ...Read more »

Cleas Seas Tuna has received international recognition for their attempts to breed Southern Bluefin Tuna in captivity, with Time magazine naming it as the world’s second best invention of the year. Time magazine, one of the world’s most influential publications, named the work of the Australian aquaculture pioneer behind “the best and smartest and coolest thing built in 2009″ – NASA’s Ares 1 rocket – and ahead of the AIDS vaccine. Commenting on Clean Seas’... ...Read more »

China is anticipated to have reaped lower growth rates in food exports this year in the wake of last year’s melamine scandal but it is unlikely to dent their future as a world leading food supplier. The world’s most populous country is a net exporter of food and drink, with exports in volume terms worth between 25 million and 30 million tonnes. By value, exports were worth just over US$31bn (A$33.2b) in 2008. Whilst the most significant overseas markets for the Chinese food and drinks... ...Read more »

World leaders convened at FAO Headquarters for the World Summit on Food Security overnight and unanimously adopted a declaration pledging renewed commitment to eradicate hunger from the face of the earth sustainably and at the earliest date. The Summit is due to tackle the issue of food security as food price fears continue to bubble and the number of hungry people continues to grow. Countries also agreed to work to reverse the decline in domestic and international funding for agriculture and promote... ...Read more »

The Federal Government is moving with states and territories to ensure planning laws do not “unjustifiably restrict competition in grocery retailing”, Competition Minister Dr Craig Emerson has advised. A NSW government review of anti-competitive features of its planning and zoning laws is underway and the Federal Government is looking to work with the state government on a range of measures. In its grocery inquiry report, the ACCC found that planning and zoning legislation restricts competition... ...Read more »

The world’s chocolate makers face a challenging next 12 months as they try to balance facing higher cocoa and sugar prices with weak consumer confidence. That is the verdict of Kepler Capital Markets analyst Jon Cox, who in a report on the global chocolate sector, said the twin pressures could lead to M&A activity in the sector. On Friday (13 November), Cox’s report cited Lindt & Sprungli as the most “obvious” takeover target in the sector and predicted Nestle and... ...Read more »

Kraft Chief Executive Irene Rosenfeld is happy to play the waiting game before launching a late increase to the value of their Cadbury bid, according to news reports. Analysts believe the current offer has a very limited chance to succeed given the differential between the Cadbury share price and that of the offer. Even the prospect of a share price decline if they do not take up the offer is unlikely to sway the majority of Cadbury shareholders, but an extra bit of cash might go a long way. And,... ...Read more »

The drive for efficiency gains has stepped up another gear in the food industry as companies look for that edge over their competitors. And new software is presenting firms with the prospect of achieving that aim. Highlighting the profitability gains that could yet be reaped by the industry, a recent report from the UK identified the potential for billion dollar savings for the sector by improving data practices within the supply chain. And Stefan Joneck, Founder and CEO of customer management and... ...Read more »