Weekly podcast: Bellamy’s, beverages, brewing and more

Tune into the latest edition of FoodBev’s weekly podcast, where we take an in-depth look at some of the biggest stories from the food and beverage industry over the last week – click here to access on Spotify.

This week had something of a focus on beverages, with a number of multi-million dollar production investments, as well as some key acquisitions. We also provide some insight into the ongoing acquisition deal between Australian company Bellamy’s and China’s Mengniu Dairy – plus, as always, some exciting new product releases.

Also in beverages, Molson Coors inaugurated a new modern brewing facility in British Columbia, Canada, equipped with technology designed to putting sustainability at the heart of its operational efficiencies. Keurig Dr Pepper, meanwhile, will spend approximately $200 million dollars on a new ‘state-of-the-art’ production and warehouse facility in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

A couple of key beverage acquisitions saw Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company agree to acquire Italian water and sparkling beverages company, Lurisia in a deal worth €88m. The acquisition will allow Coca-Cola HBC to expand its existing beverage portfolio in Italy and is expected to be completed by the end of 2019.

AB InBev-owned Carlton and United Breweries has expanded its portfolio by acquiring Riot Wine, which sells wine exclusively in kegs and cans, for an undisclosed sum. The move reportedly represents CUB’s ‘commitment to sustainability’: according to Riot, one keg saves roughly 23,000 bottles from entering the environment.

Finally, US spirits company Eastside Distilling has acquired Azuñia Tequila from Intersect Beverage in an all-stock transaction worth approximately $14.7m

In other news, a new study by Changing Markets Foundation claims that Unilever is not fortifying its Maizena Natural cornflour in Mexico, despite claiming that all of its cornflour products in Latin America are fortified – Unilever has since stated that it will carry out third-party testing.

All that and more in this week’s podcast

Presented by: Bryony Andrews and Emma Upshall

Edited by: Martin White