Business moves
Barry Callebaut and Mars Wrigley Lan have renewed their long-term agreement for the supply of liquid chocolate. Mars Wrigley Lan, a Mexican chocolate manufacturer, owns brands like Turín, Orbit, Lucas, Skwinkles, and Skittles. The extended partnership aims to facilitate long-term growth in the strategic market.

Post Holdings is set to acquire pet food and treat products manufacturer Perfection Pet Foods for US$235 million. The acquisition will include two California-based manufacturing facilities and will provide Post with a portion of its current pet food business and allow it to enter the private label and co-manufacture pet food sector. 

Post Holdings announced it has agreed to acquire the assets of Perfection Pet Foods (Image credit: Post Holdings).The Cerrado Coffee Growers Cooperative has seen a 20% increase in coffee exports. The cooperative shipped over 310,000 60kg bags, valued at over US$70 million this year, with an expected year-end total of around 480,000 bags. 

Elian Barcelona, a subsidiary of Viserion International, is set to acquire a soybean crushing facility in Barcelona, Spain, from Cargill. The soybean crushing facility is an important infrastructural element in the supply chain for the Catalan, Spanish, and European feed and food ingredient sectors. The transaction is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2024, subject to regulatory approval from the Barcelona Port Authority.

Brenntag announced the expansion of the partnership with Royal Avebe to offer potato starch and protein products to customers in Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, in addition to the initial region of Turkey. 

New product development
Actor Cole Hauser has launched the Free Rein Coffee Company, a brand inspired by the spirit of hardworking cowboys. A portion of the sales will be donated to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, a non-profit supporting families of fallen and severely wounded Special Operations Warriors, wher Hauser serves as a Board Member.

Barnacle Foods, based in Juneau, Alaska, US, is expanding its line of kelp-based foods with a new product: Habanero Hot Sauce. The sauce features spicy habanero for heat, sweetness, and the savory taste of kelp as its primary ingredient. Barnacle Foods aims to contribute to the kelp farming industry in Alaska by providing a market for local kelp farmers and harvesters.

Innovation highlights
Mondelēz International is evolving its Toblerone chocolate brand with an updated brand signature, “Never Square.” In line with the brand’s refreshed messaging, this campaign includes gifting options and offering a product that combines the original taste of Toblerone with a new truffly diamond shape.Tiny Toblerone expansion brings airport product to U.S. retail stores (Image credit: Toblerone).

Arbiom has introduced Yusto, a brand dedicated to food, offering sustainable, high-quality, and nutritious yeast-based protein ingredients. It contains essential amino acids, B vitamins, and functional fibers, making it a protein source. The ingredient features an umami flavor that enhances the taste of food and can mask imperfections in plant-based products. 

Puratos US is introducing its fruit boba product, Smoobees, plant-based, gluten-free, and free from artificial flavors and colors. Inspired by molecular gastronomy, Smoobees provide a healthy alternative to traditional fruit inclusions.

Danish company Lyras has launched the unit Raslysation Castor for UV treatment and inactivating microorganisms in opaque liquids. It was developed in collaboration with the biotech group Novozymes. The raslysation process inactivates bacteria and other microorganisms. This technology is expected to reduce CO2 emissions for dairy producers and improve product quality.

Heura Foods, based in Spain, launched its “York-Style” plant-powered ham with 64% protein density, no additives, and a clean label. The product is developed using patent-pending technology to align with WHO recommendations to reduce processed meat consumption and address health concerns associated with processed animal-origin meats. 

Unlimeat, an alternative meat player in Asia, is launching a “Protein Bomb Kimbap” delivery service called “Rollicious” this month. The plant-based protein delivery service features seven menu items, including kimchi kimbap and crunchy kimbap. 

Other highlights
Copa and Cogeca express concern as European customs have intercepted consignments of citrus fruit from South Africa carrying black spot disease in 2023. Additionally, interceptions reported the presence of false codling moths in mandarins and grapefruits from South Africa and Israel. These pests pose a risk to European citrus production, affecting the supply chain. Copa and Cogeca call for stricter measures for imports.

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) organized a trade mission to Kuwait to explore export opportunities for British lamb in the Middle Eastern market and demonstrated AHDB’s commitment to the Halal sector. The AHDB is working on export development, collaborating with industry and government to create more opportunities for the red meat and dairy sectors.

NatureSweet, the snacking tomato brand headquartered in Texas, US, would face tariffs of more than 20% on the import of fresh tomatoes into the US. A group of tomato producers in the country is petitioning the Department of Commerce to terminate the 2019 Tomato Suspension Agreement between the US and Mexican tomato importers. If the agreement is terminated, tariffs could be imposed on Mexican tomato imports, leading to potential consequences for consumers, retailers, and the economy in both countries. 

California Prunes is collaborating with nutritionist Jo Travers and chef and author Peter Sidwell to boost awareness and consumption of its products in the UK. The partnerships are part of the California Prune Board’s campaign to promote its products to health-conscious consumers and those seeking shelf-stable alternatives to fresh fruit.