Ever wondered where in Africa to get food industry suppliers, manufacturers, and key decision-makers under one roof? Ever thought of having packaging industries and retailers together? Or having financial service providers and commercial-scale farmers under one roof? Look no farther, as the AFMASS Food Expo Eastern Africa 2024 brings them all! This year’s edition comes equipped with all that the African region and far abroad have to offer. Who Will You Meet at AFMASS Food Expo Eastern Africa 2024? Technology Suppliers Can you think of a place where you can meet your equipment, in ..read more

US – Mondelēz-owned brands Oreo and Sour Patch Kids have joined forces to launch Oreo’s ‘first-ever’ sour cookie.   The cookies resemble Oreo Golden Cookies but instead contain Sour Patch Kids’ flavours with colourful bits. The creme filling features multi-coloured sour sugar, giving a sweet and sour taste.  Caroline Suppiger, Oreo Senior Associate Brand Manager, expressed excitement about the collaboration, stating, “The OREO brand is always looking for playful ways to excite our fans. What better and more unexpected way to do that than letting SOUR PATCH KIDS playfully takeover ou ..read more

US – Mars, a global leader in confectionery, snacking, food, and pet care products, has announced the appointment of Blas Maquivar as Global President, Health & Wellness, Mars Snacking.   With nearly 14 years of experience at Mars, Maquivar will oversee the company’s expanding Health & Wellness portfolio, including brands Nature’s Bakery, Trü Frü, and KIND.  Maquivar’s journey at Mars began in 2010 when he joined as General Manager of Mars Chocolate Mexico.   Over the years, he has served in various senior leadership roles across the Snacking business, including Preside ..read more

INDIA – Nestlé, the Swiss multinational food and beverage giant, has introduced its Nespresso brand in India, aiming to cater to the increasing consumer demand for single-serve coffee in the country.   The move comes as Nestlé observes India as one of its fastest-growing coffee markets, driven by the trend of in-home consumption.  The Indian arm of Nestlé reported a significant nearly 27 percent increase in net profit to Rs9.34 billion (US$112.03 million) for the three months ended March 31, surpassing analyst estimates.   Suresh Narayanan, the managing director of Ne ..read more

UK – Cadbury, a leading confectionery brand and subsidiary of Mondelez International, has introduced three new non-HFSS (high in fat, salt, and sugar) bars to its Dairy Milk Fruitier & Nuttier range, aiming to offer consumers a healthier snacking option without compromising on taste.  The new bars are packed with a blend of fruits, crispies, cocoa, and crunchy nuts, all topped with a layer of Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate.   They come in two flavors: Classic and Orange Boost, with the latter featuring a layer of Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate Orange. Initially available in a multip ..read more

NIGERIA – International Breweries Plc (IBPLC), a prominent beverage company and a subsidiary of ABInBev, has reaffirmed its dedication to long-term investment in Nigeria following the successful completion of its Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held recently in Lagos.  The company’s commitment to revitalizing its operations and returning to profitability was underscored by the overwhelming support received from shareholders for its strategic initiatives.   In February, shareholders endorsed a rights issue plan aimed at bolstering the company’s financial position. Subsequent ..read more

USA – In a bid to tackle pressing issues in the food industry, Mondelēz International has decided to use the expertise of small companies alongside its robust research and development team and extensive resources. The company’s Tech Accelerator program, an extension of its CoLab startup engagement initiative launched in 2021, is prioritizing key areas such as recyclable packaging, low environmental impact, and clean ingredients that contribute to health and wellness. This year’s Tech Accelerator focuses explicitly on developing recyclable packaging solutions that support premium product offer ..read more

SPAIN – Angulas Aguinaga, a Spanish seafood company, is collaborating with a start-up, Vrave, to launch a konjac-based calamari product.  This product is set to be marketed under Angulas Aguinaga’s Aguinamar brand in Spain. In fact, it is already available at leading supermarkets Alcampo and Carrefour, and further distribution to the UK, France, and Portugal is planned for the coming month. Angulas Aguinaga, based in Gipuzkoa, was acquired by French private-equity firm PAI Partners in 2020, adding to its portfolio of seafood brands, including La Gula Del Norte and Krissia.  Meanwhil ..read more

UK – Premier Foods-owned breakfast brand Fuel10k has a new addition to their product lineup: the Ultimate Breakfast Shake.  This high-protein shake, now available in two delectable flavours – Cookies & Cream and Fudge Brownie – packs a punch with 25g of milk protein per carton, all without any added sugar. This release marks a significant milestone for Fuel10k. It is its first product launch since it was acquired by Premier Foods for £34 million in October last year.  According to the company, the shake has been crafted to meet the surging demand for convenient, on-the-go breakf ..read more

CHAD – In a bid to enhance its agricultural and livestock sectors, Chad has commenced the construction of a US$ 2 million faculty specializing in agronomy and animal production studies. The groundbreaking ceremony, presided over by Mahamat Ahmad Alhabo, the Secretary-General at the Presidency of the Republic of Chad, occurred on Thursday, April 18, at King Faisal University in Afrouk, north of N’Djamena. The Islamic Solidarity Fund of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation will provide funding for the initiative following a decision approved during the 9th Conference of Ministers on Food Sec ..read more