News

Swiss confectioners suffered a 1.4% drop in turnover in 2016, despite selling 0.2% more products compared to the previous year. The domestic market recorded a decline of even 8.2%. SG

The Ferrero Group has decided to undertake a new governance set up to strengthen its competitive position in the chocolate and sweet packaged food market worldwide and accelerate growth momentum. SG

The 2016 business year ended with revenue of € 340 m for the Optima Packaging Group GmbH, Schwaebisch Hall. This surpassed the previous outstanding revenue in 2015 of € 330 m. SG SP

Almond Board of California (ABC) has announced a research commitment that will benefit the almond community in 2017 and beyond. SG SP

Symrise AG has joined the “Biodiversity in Good Company” Initiative and signed the “Leadership Declaration” of the company network. SG SP

The Carton Excellence Award, organized by Pro Carton and ECMA, is Europe’s most prestigious award for carton packaging. Deadline for the recent competition's entries is 11th May 2017. SG

The share of sustainably-produced cocoa in German-made confectionery increased to 45 % last year. This was reported by the BDSI Association of the German Confectionery Industry (BDSI) based on a survey of member companies. SG SP

European Bioplastics (EUBP), the association representing the bioplastics industry in Europe, welcomes the positive outcome of the European Parliament’s plenary vote on the waste legislation proposal concerning the EU Circular Economy Package. SP

The common trade fair Free From Functional Food Ingredients (FFFFI) from 8 to 9 June 2017 in Barcelona, Spain, drives retail to food manufacturers. SG SP

Ferrero International S.A. has announced a definitive agreement to acquire the U.S. premium chocolate manufacturer Fannie May Confections Brands from 1-800-Flowers.com, Inc., a leading gourmet food and floral gift provider. SG

Symrise has once again received good marks in the sustainability index FTSE4Good. SP

In 2016, the total quantity of Swiss chocolate sold in the domestic and international market increased by 2.3% to 185,639 tonnes. The industry turnover increased 1.0% to CHF 1.764 bn. SG

Symrise AG exceeded its targets for the fiscal year 2016. The Company benefited from strong demand across all segments and regions, increasing its sales by 12% (local currency: 1 %) to € 2.903 bn (2015: € 2.602 bn). SG SP

At the trade fair Vitafoods Europe in May in Geneva/Switzerland, Taiyo will present new additions to its Sunfiber portfolio, an all-natural, soluble dietary fiber that can now also be used as a sweetener. SP

The Swiss Hochdorf Group significantly increased its earnings in the 2016 business year to record levels of EBITDA and EBIT, at CHF 33.4 m and CHF 22.5 m. SP