The food industry briefing
The latest news, trends, and data you need to know about this month
In numbers
59.1%
A new survey by the European Investment Bank has shown that 59.1% of respondents reported that reducing emissions had no impact on supply chains.
$4.8bn
German meat giant Toennies is reportedly exploring a sale of the business led by family member Clemens Toennies, with the sale possibly fetching as much as $4.8bn.
1.3
New research from IRI shows that, in 2020, small brands and private-label brands in the CPG space gained 1.3 points in share, or $12.1bn in sales, marking the fifth consecutive year that large manufacturers have lost market share.
10,000
Plant-based barbecue producer Barvecue has broken ground for a plant-based smokehouse in Cornelius, North Carolina, US. Called Carolina Smokehouse, the 10,000ft² production facility is scheduled to open in July.
2025
UK supermarket chain Tesco has decided to increase the sales of healthy products as a proportion of total sales by 2025 after reports emerged that the obesity problem in the country has worsened during the pandemic.
In brief
Marfrig to invest in US beef processing plant
Brazilian meatpacker Marfrig has announced it is to invest around $100m in a beef processing plant in the US. Marfrig plans to increase the capacity at its Iowa Premium slaughtering facility in Tama from 1,100 heads a day to 2,500 heads a day.
JBS takes flagship meat brand Seara into seafood
Brazil-based meat behemoth JBS has launched a range of seafood products in its domestic market under its flagship brand, Seara. JBS has rolled out a line of ten products amid rising demand for fish and seafood products in Brazil.
Smithfield Foods sets out goals on plastic
US-based meat processor Smithfield Foods has announced new recyclable packaging and plastic reduction commitments to reduce its impact on the environment. By 2030, Smithfield, owned by China's WH Group, is aiming for consumer packaging that is 90% recyclable, reusable and industrially compostable.
Food majors urge EU to end caged-animal farming
Food giants Nestlé, Mondelez International, and Unilever are among a group of food manufacturers calling on authorities in the European Union to adopt cage-free systems for rearing animals.
Further reading
Foods from afar hope to catch the eye of American shoppers
Immigrant entrepreneurs are working to create food packaging that appeals to a wider range of consumers. Marketing these foods in the US has its challenges, like cultural identity and consumer perception. The savviest entrepreneurs work with designers and brand strategists to make their products more approachable.
Read and Listen: New York Times
