Unilever has been voted as the outright global leader in sustainability, according to the latest survey findings from GlobeScan and SustainAbility. Sustainability experts from across the globe were canvassed as part of the annual SustainAbility survey, with respondents asked to name the companies they consider sustainability leaders; why they think the firm is a leader in sustainable development; and which industries have done the most to advance sustainability in the past year. In a year when commitment... ...Read more »

The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) said it was “disappointing” that the Federal Government allocated no new funds for a National Food Plan in the 2011-12 Budget. “The Budget contained no extra funding for developing a broad-base National Food Plan, which is vital for Australia’s largest manufacturing industry – food and grocery – to have a long-term, strategic focus to ensure Australia has a safe, nutritious and sustainable food supply into the future,”... ...Read more »

Kerry Group, owner of the Croissant King and van den Bergh’s frozen bakery businesses in Australia, has claimed it continued its momentum during the first three months of 2011, with the Irish firm reporting “good volume growth”, despite raising its prices to tackle increased raw material costs. The ingredients, flavours and consumer foods group said today (10 May) that revenue rose 14.8% during the quarter ended 31 March. Like-for-like revenue was up by 10.5% and volumes grew 4.1%. Pricing... ...Read more »

The Australian Food and Grocery council has decried the Federal Government’s proposed carbon tax, saying it will increase the cost of food and grocery manufacturing in Australia. While full details of the carbon tax have not yet been announced, AFGC Chief Executive Kate Carnell said a tax on carbon would be another cost to food and grocery manufacturers who are currently weathering a “perfect storm”. “Industry is under growing pressure from rising input costs across the supply chain,... ...Read more »

Nestlé CEO Paul Bulcke has said that a long-term rise in commodity prices would be “no bad thing” and suggested it would drive investment into the agriculture sector. Bulcke told an analyst event in London last week that beneath the recent volatility in commodity costs was an “underlying trend” of rising raw-material prices due, in part, to the growing world’s population. Food manufacturers have faced a growing raw materials bill in recent months and have looked to... ...Read more »

The UK’s Food and Drink Federation has called on the food industry to take a holistic approach to reducing waste and improving efficiency. Speaking today at the Westminster Food and Nutrition Forum, FDF director of sustainability and competitiveness Andrew Kuyk said that, to date, food manufacturers have taken an approach to sustainability that focuses on reducing waste and improving resource efficiency within their own operations. “This has been an easy sell,” he suggested. “Resource... ...Read more »

Kerry Group could spend up to EUR1.5bn (US$2.1bn) on acquisitions in 2011, the Irish food maker’s CFO has revealed – although he suggested the company would look at deals of “any size” in its sectors.Brian Meighan, Kerry’s finance chief, told an analyst event in London yesterday (29 March) that the company could spend between EUR1bn and EUR1.5bn this year using debt but would consider all opportunities in its markets. “If an acquisition comes up of any size in... ...Read more »

US spice brand McCormick said on Tuesday that it is “operating effectively in a tough environment” as it recorded net profit growth during the first quarter. The company said that net income grew 13.1% to reach US76.8m in the quarter ended 28 February. McCormick said sales were up 2% to reach $782.8m, which it largely attributed to pricing actions taken in response to increased raw and packaging material costs. “In response to a significant increase in raw and packaging material... ...Read more »

The passing of a Senate motion to establish a Select Committee on Australia’s food manufacturing sector has been welcomed by the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) yesterday. The motion – moved by Tasmanian Senator Richard Colebeck, who consulted with industry about its content – was passed in the Senate 34 to 32 votes.  The committee is expected to investigate the competitiveness and future viability of Australia’s food processing sector as well assess constraints in the current... ...Read more »

General Mills yesterday booked a 1% increase in year-to-date earnings and sales and insisted that it expects growth to accelerate in the final quarter of the year.For the first nine months of fiscal 2011, General Mills said net sales increased to US$11.24bn, with a 2% rise in volumes slightly offset by a 1% dip in price realisation and mix. Foreign exchange had “no material effect” on sales, the company added. Segment operating profit totalled $2.27bn, also up 1% on last year’s... ...Read more »