News

CSM reported first-half net profit of EUR38.8m (US$49.73m) compared to EUR365m in 2005, when it was inflated by EUR355.2m proceeds from the sale of its sugar confectionery unit. According to ... SG

The German retail combine Metro Group is planning to open 15 new stores in Russia in the 2006 fiscal year, and is planning further ambitious expansion in the country over ... SG

European competition authorities gave the go-ahead to Kraft’s proposed EUR840m (US$1.076bn) purchase of United Biscuit’s Iberian units. The move is set to considerably strengthen the US food group’s presence in ... SG

In the first six months of 2006 consolidated sales of the Nestlé Group amounted to CHF 47.138bn, an increase of 11.0% over January-June 2005. Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) ... SG

Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli AG, Kilchberg, further accelerates its growth rate and confirms yet again the sustained positive developments of recent years. With a high, double-digit sales increase in Swiss ... SG

Swedish confectionery firm Cloetta Fazer has announced a further expanded market share in Sweden and Finland, posting second quarter sales of SEK656m (€71m). Net sales for the first six months ... SG

At their regularly scheduled meeting, the Board of Directors of the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. declared a regular dividend of $0.256 on each share of Common Stock and each share ... SG

Singapore-based Petra Foods Limited, one of the world’s major manufacturers and suppliers of cocoa ingredients and branded consumer confectionary products, announced a solid set of results for the first half ... SG

According to just-food.com, the UK’s Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) has upheld two complaints brought by the campaign group Consensus Action on Salt and Health (Cash) against Walkers crisps leaflets. ... SG

U.S. soft drink and snack company PepsiCo Inc. announced that chief financial officer Indra Nooyi will take over from Chairman and CEO Steve Reinemund in October 2006. Nooyi joined PepsiCo ... SG

The British sugar confectionery company Tangerine acquires parts of the biscuits- and confectionery maker Burton’s Foods. Blackpool-based Tangerine should increase its annual turnover from around €66.7m to €88.9m thanks to ... SG

The London-based buyout firm Lion Capital LLP has acuired US crsip and potato-chip manufacturer Kettle Foods. Terms of the transaction aren t being disclosed, Lion said. Kettle Foods, started in ... SG

The world’s largest confectioner Cadbury Schweppes is expected to confirm the cost of the salmonella recall and resulting sales decline when it delivers its interim results on Wednesday (2 August). ... SG

South Korean snack maker Lotte Confectionery Co has acquired Chinese chocolate firm Shanghai BBCA Aloha Chocolate for US$20m, according to local reports. Lotte, which acquired pie and snack production facilities ... SG

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., announced that the company has agreed to sell its German retail business to Metro AG. The terms of the agreement were not disclosed. "As we focus our ... SG