Danone, a global dairy giant, has announced a partnership with Microsoft to integrate artificial intelligence throughout its supply chain. The initiative, known as the Danone… The post Danone Partners with Microsoft to Scale AI Projects and Upskill 100,000 Workers appeared first on Agro & Food Processing ..read more

Swiss-based Nestle is anticipated to report a slight decline in total real internal growth, a measure of sales volumes across its product range, including chocolate,… The post Nestle’s Chocolate Prices under Pressure as Cocoa Costs Surge appeared first on Agro & Food Processing ..read more

Parle, owned by Parle Products, has once again been named India’s top FMCG brand according to the latest Brand Footprint ranking by the Kantar World… The post Parle dominates as India’s top FMCG brand for the 12th consecutive year appeared first on Agro & Food Processing ..read more

Bigbasket, a TATA Enterprise, has launched BB Matrix, an end-to-end SaaS-based supply chain platform designed to provide complete visibility across the entire supply chain, the company announced on Thursday. BB Matrix offers enterprises real-time updates, quick tracking of bottlenecks, and data-backed decision-making capabilities to strengthen supply chains. “BB Matrix provides comprehensive ongoing support that encompasses configuration and optimization, seamless data integration with over 150 ERP, CRM, and POS tools, and flawless migration,” said Manish Mishra, head of sales and marketing fo ..read more

Staff shortages remain the primary reason food manufacturers are investing in robotics, according to new research by Rabobank. Food producers are increasingly turning to robots to boost labour productivity, retain employees, and assist under-skilled staff. Other motivations for adopting robotics include lowering production costs, raising utilization rates, reducing energy consumption, ensuring consistent output quality, and expanding product offerings without sacrificing economies of scale. The research also sheds light on where manufacturers plan to deploy new robots in the production process ..read more

As consumers increasingly demand healthier products, Nestlé has been actively improving the ingredients in its offerings. However, the company remains cautious about altering the taste that consumers expect, as this could deter them from purchasing the product. But now Nestlé has unveiled a groundbreaking technology that reduces the fat content in milk powder by up to 60% without compromising on quality, taste, or texture, the company announced in a press release. The innovative process, based on the binding of larger milk protein clusters known as aggregates during the manufacturing of milk p ..read more

According to a report by market research firm Mintel, the food and beverage industry has experienced a significant decline in innovation since 2007. Only 26% of new products introduced between January and May 2024 were genuinely new, compared to 50% in 2007. Jonny Forsyth, Mintel’s director of food and drink, attributed this decline to the complex supply chains, low margins, and temperature control requirements that food and drink manufacturers face. These challenges create higher barriers to entry compared to industries like beauty, personal care, or household goods. This decline in innovatio ..read more

The multinational beverage giant, The Coca-Cola Company, reported a 2% growth in unit case volume for Q2 2024, propelled by significant contributions from India, Brazil, and the Philippines. India, the company’s fifth-largest market, has been at the forefront of this growth, thanks to innovative packaging solutions that have generated over 400 million transactions in the first half of the year. Coca-Cola’s introduction of ultra-lightweight, affordable bottles with extended shelf life has been a game-changer. These bottles are now available in over half of India’s commercial beverage outlets, a ..read more

In the Budget 2024–25 presented today, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a comprehensive plan to enhance productivity and resilience in the agricultural sector. Among the key highlights is the introduction of 109 high-yielding and climate-resilient varieties of 32 crops to be released this financial year. An allocation of Rs 1.52 lakh crore has been made for the agriculture and allied sectors, emphasizing the government’s commitment to bolstering the sector. Sitharaman outlined nine priorities for the year, with productivity and resilience in agriculture being a significant focus ..read more

Wonderchef, a leading kitchen appliance maker, has announced plans to invest $10 million over the next two years to expand its presence in global markets, including the US and Canada. The company aims to surpass Rs. 1,000 crores in brand sales by 2026, building on its impressive 25% year-on-year growth, which saw sales reach Rs. 700 crores in the fiscal year 2024. Ravi Saxena, founder and CEO of Wonderchef, shared insights into the company’s strategy. He revealed that approximately $1 million of the investment will be allocated to enhance manufacturing capabilities and branding efforts. Curren ..read more