Food and Drink Suppliers

Supplier news

Worldwide Fruit enjoys double-digit Covid-19 sales bounce

The supplier of apples, berries, avocados and stone fruits saw sales grow by more than a third

Berry Gardens snaps up Jessica Ennis-Hill for ‘category first’ push

The six-figure More Than Taste campaign will showcase the nutritional benefits of berries

Tributes paid to Finnebrogue founder Denis Lynn after death in accident

Over 30 years, the businessman turned Finnebrogue from a small supplier into a major force in the meat category

Müller kicks off Müllerlight’s ‘biggest ever’ TV push

The advertising will feature athletes Katarina Johnson-Thompson, Laura Muir and Hannah Cockroft

Mexicana Vegan becomes first plant-based cheese alternative in Tesco delis

The Norseland brand goes on sale in Tesco’s grab & go delis on 5 May

Farmers struggle with frostiest April since records began

During the past month, there has been an average of 13 days of frost across the UK

Mondelez sees sweet sales rise as shoppers continue to stock up on Cadbury and Oreo

Mondelez net revenues in the first quarter of 2021 jumped 7.9% to $7.2bn, with shoppers in Europe and Asia buying more of its brands, including the likes of Oreo, Belvita, Milka and Toblerone.

One third of food and drink companies have no climate change plan, finds poll

The revelation comes with the FDF announcing a “pioneering” target for the industry to hit net zero carbon emissions by 2040

Retailers and suppliers to launch ‘digital DRS’ trial in bid for rethink of plans

Aldi, Co-op, Lidl and Ocado, alongside suppliers such as Diageo and Danone, are backing the trial

The British Snack Co hits crowdfunding target as it prepares for lockdown easing

The company turned to the crowd to raise money to continue growing the sales channels, win new customers and prepare for the reopening of pubs, bars and cafes as lockdown eases.

Nomad Foods slashes CO2 emissions by almost 11% in 2020 despite Covid

The Birds Eye and Goodfella’s owner said it had made significant progress in its annual Eating for the Planet report

Rodda’s sees record growth amid rising in-home demand

The Cornish clotted cream supplier said value sales grew by over 30% last year

Supermarkets ducking out of post-Brexit support, says Dutch supplier

Supermarket prices will rise more than is necessary unless there is greater collaboration, according to Moolenaar

Unilever boosts health and wellness exposure by buying sports nutrition brand Onnit

Onnit produces a range of supplements for improved cognitive function, mood and relaxation, gut health and immunity support

Pilgrim’s UK’s Ashton site introduces three-day week due to China export ban

The Greater Manchester plant’s profitability had been “significantly impacted” by the ban

Suppliers set ‘pioneering’ target of hitting net zero by 2040

FDF is drawing up a roadmap to set key milestones for the carbon reduction

CCEP’s Simon Harrison joins Princes as chief commercial officer

Harrison, currently CCEP’s VP for commercial development and a 20-year veteran of the company, will join Princes from June

Government announces first additional SAWS operator

The seasonal agricultural workers scheme was expanded to 30,000 permits in December

Arla reveals farm CO2 emissions after first year of Climate Check programme

The dairy co-op gathered emissions data from 95% of its milk farmers across seven European countries

Yakult pushes benefits of gardening in new marketing push

The fermented dairy drink’s Grow with Yakult campaign will give participants seeds for five Japanese vegetables

Finnebrogue adds NPD trio to plant-based Naked lineup

The Northern Irish supplier suggested further significant NPD was in the pipeline ‘in the coming months’

Brands outgrowing own label for first time in six years

While private label grew in value 7% during the pandemic, branded goods outpaced them at 12%

Bread prices must increase to cover inflation, warns Irwin’s

Food prices were down in March, according to the ONS this week

Beau’s secures £400k to bring vegan ice cream to wider audience

Plant-based ice cream start-up Beau’s has netted a £400k investment to open a manufacturing facility and launch a subscription service.

B Corp awards Alpro ‘outstanding’ status

The dairy alternative giant has moved up from the ‘great’ ranking it achieved three years ago

The Hut Group strengthens snacking capability with £43m Brighter Foods deal

The acquisition allows THG to bring more snacking manufacturing in-house, reducing lead times for NPD launches “significantly”

UK pork exports see boost as import barriers eased in Philippines

However, some retailers have been criticised by producers for not doing enough to support the sector

Oilseed rape prices up due to crop concerns

According to Mintec, rapeseed oil at Rotterdam was priced at €1,053.33 (£909.56) per metric tonne on 7 April

Supermarket veg campaign hits 100 industry signatories

The Peas Please initiative has reached a major landmark this week with 100 retailers, manufacturers and hospitality businesses signed up

New packaging labels launched to encourage consumers to ‘refill or return’

The new labels, backed by all major supermarkets and most major suppliers, were launched this week

Sales of berries in double-digit growth during winter months

The effect of Covid-19 on consumer demand for health and in-home occasions has driven the rise

Kerrygold owner Ornua hails ‘record’ profits for 2020

The dairy co-op’s 2020 accounts show a 69% increase in operating profit before exceptional items to €83.1m

City snapshot: Solid start for Heineken as strong growth in Africa makes up for Covid hit in Europe

Heineken has reported a “solid” start to the year with profits growing despite trade in Europe continuing to be hit by lockdowns. Plus, Coca-Cola European Partners changes its name following approval for its acquisition of Asia-Pacific Coke bottle Coca-Cola Amatil.

TH Clements boosts sales and narrows losses despite weather challenges

The major brassica grower’s improved performance came about despite the impact of extreme flooding in 2019

John Shropshire to step down as G’s Group CEO

The growing industry veteran has worked for the company – originally founded by his father – since 1976

East London Liquor Co in £750k crowd push as it looks to expand in supermarkets

The London-based distiller, which already has supermarket listings with Waitrose, Tesco and Co-op, aims to expand off-channel exposure for its range of spirits, ready-to-drink canned cocktails and hard seltzers.

Nestlé/JDE coffee pod recycling scheme Podback kicks off

The scheme was designed to make recycling “simpler and easier” for coffee shoppers

Linda McCartney’s adds four new lines for barbecue season

The plant-based pioneer said the NPD would capitalise on post-lockdown gatherings

Richmond rolls seven new frozen meat products into Iceland

All seven launches have been showcased in a branded cabinet at Iceland

Iceland doubles its vegan range through Livekindly partnership

It’s listing products made by plant-based brands Fry’s, Oumph and LikeMeat for the first time

analysis & features

Can Tesco entice suppliers to cut carbon emissions to net zero?

Tesco is offering incentives to suppliers who report and reduce emissions. So what does it mean for suppliers, and is there a catch?

Culture war: should British brands fly the union flag on packaging?

The newest front in Britain’s culture war is seeping into food and drink. So should brands adopt the union flag on packaging and marketing – or steer clear?

opinion