INDIA—Westlife Foodworld, McDonald’s India franchisee, has reported a consolidated PAT decline to US$91,012 in Q1 2024 from US$2.4 million as customers reduced spending due to inflation.  This decline is the company’s lowest recorded profit since Q3 2021, when it reported a loss.  The company’s expenses increased by 6%, compared to a 1.6% revenue growth in Q1 2024.  Operational revenues have steadily increased because of the launch of new stores in India from mid-2023.  The franchisee has also revealed plans to add 45 new stores by the end of 2024.  Westlife’s ..read more

USA – Ferrero, the renowned confectionary company, has launched its third chocolate manufacturing facility globally and its inaugural site in North America. Investing US$75 million into a 70,000-square-foot processing facility in Bloomington, Illinois, Ferrero is poised to produce some of its most beloved North American treats, including Crunch, Ferrero Rocher, Kinder, and Butterfinger.  Alanna Cotton, Chief Business Officer and President of Ferrero North America, expressed excitement, stating, “Introducing Ferrero’s decades of chocolate-making expertise to Illinois—the hub of America’s ..read more

INDIA- Snack and beverage company, PepsiCo India has started experimenting with a blend of palm olein and sunflower oil to replace a blend of palm oil and palm olein in its potato chips brand Lay’s.  This decision follows criticism over using cheaper ingredients, considered unhealthy, in packaged foods in India. Palmolein is a liquid segment acquired through refining palm oil, both of which are sourced from the oil palm fruit. Palm oil is semi-solid.  In the United States, the company uses “heart-healthy” oils such as sunflower, corn, and canola oil for Lay’s. On its US website, the ..read more

USA- Food manufacturing company WK Kellog has reported a 0.8% decline in adjusted net sales for Q1 2024. Top executives remain optimistic that the company will achieve its 2024 financial projections because of operational and supply chain efficiencies.  Net sales were down from US$720 million in Q1 2024 to US$707 million in Q1 2023, representing a net sales decline of 1.8%.  Adjusted net sales, however, declined 0.8%. The company predicts a net sales change of -1% and 1% from 2023.  The 0.8% net sales decline is not only in line with the company’s predictions but also marks a s ..read more

Excitement is brewing as the countdown begins for the highly anticipated AFMASS Food Expo Eastern Africa 2024, set to take place from June 12-14 at the prestigious Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. As the region’s premier food, consumer goods, hospitality, and retail trade show, AFMASS Food Expo promises an unparalleled experience for industry professionals, innovators, and stakeholders.  Let’s dive into some frequently asked questions about this event to shed light on what attendees should expect. Q1: What makes AFMASS Food Expo Eastern Africa 2024 stand o ..read more

US – Ginkgo Bioworks, a leading biotechnology company, has teamed up with US-based plant biotech firm GreenLab to upscale the production of brazzein, a sweet-tasting protein derived from the fruit of the native West African Oubli plant.   With a sweetness factor up to 2,000 times greater than sucrose, brazzein holds promise as a sought-after sugar substitute across various food and beverage (F&B) products.  This collaboration comes amid increasing consumer demand for healthier food options with reduced sugar content, driving innovation in the sugar substitutes market.   By ..read more

KENYA – Kenyan sugar millers have threatened to cease operations by Friday amid a contentious disagreement over sugarcane pricing with farmers.   The dispute stems from a court ruling directing millers to pay farmers Kes5,900 (US$45.04) for every tonne of sugarcane, an increase from the previous rate of Kes5,100 (US$38.93).  The court’s decision followed a resolution by the cane pricing committee on April 8, which announced the revised sugarcane prices, raising them by Kes800.   However, the Kenya Sugar Manufacturers Association (KSMA) decried the court order, labeling it as a ..read more

INDIA – SLMG Beverages, the largest independent Coca-Cola bottler in India and Southwest Asia, has partnered with Dalmia Packaging to establish a PET bottle recycling plant in India.  The plant, a joint venture for the two companies, will be developed with an investment of Rs0.9-1bn (US$10.7m-US$11.99m).   The facility will boast an annual capacity of 36,000mt and produce 24,000mt of plastic for PET bottles.   The joint venture will leverage Dalmia Packaging’s expertise in plastic sourcing for recycling.    The plant, expected to contribute to ..read more

SWEDEN – Tetra Pak, the Swedish multinational food processing and packaging solutions company, has announced a significant expansion of its homogenizer portfolio with the introduction of machines crafted with Outokumpu Circle Green stainless steel.   This material, recognized for its reduced carbon footprint compared to traditional stainless-steel options, marks a significant stride in Tetra Pak’s sustainability efforts.  The incorporation of Circle Green stainless steel aligns with Tetra Pak’s commitment to sustainability and will be available as an option for all homogenizer model ..read more

SOUTH AFRICA – The Durban High Court has reaffirmed its ruling ordering sugar producer Tongaat Hulett to settle outstanding levies owed to the South African Sugar Association (SASA).   The court’s decision underscores the critical importance of these payments to the economic sustainability of sugarcane farmers and the livelihoods they support.   Judge Rashid Vahed, presiding over the case, reiterated the statutory nature of the Sugar Industry Agreement (SIA) and emphasized that payments due under it must be honored, regardless of Tongaat’s business rescue status.   This ru ..read more