Ingredients company Roland Foods has announced its acquisition of IfiGourmet, an importer and distributor of bakery, confectionery and ice cream products. IfiGourmet will be combined with AUI Fine Foods, Roland Foods’ sweet division. Its owner and CEO, Rick Brownstein, will remain with the company going forward. Roland Foods is a Vestar Capital Partners company with a portfolio of over 2,400 products sourced worldwide. IfiGourmet serves more than 1,500 in-store bakery, restaurant chain and foodservice customers across the US. It operates two distribution centres in Chicago, Illinois, and San Francisco, California. Keith Dougherty, Roland Foods’ CEO, said the strategic acquisition of IfiGourmet will strengthen AUI Fine Foods’ footprint in the key Chicago and San Francisco markets, expanding the company’s sweet product offering. He added: “We believe tremendous opportunities exist in the gourmet food and ingredients market today, and the addition of the IfiGourmet team will better position Roland Foods for growth”. IfiGourmet’s Rick Brownstein commented: “Joining AUI Fine Foods and the Roland Foods’ family will provide IfiGourmet with the resources and relationships needed to take our organisation to the next level. Roland Foods and AUI share our culture and strong commitment to customer service and deeply understand our business, and we’re excited about the future.”

Almost 10% of UK dairy producers say they are likely to stop producing milk by 2025, with smaller producers being the most impacted by the current market, according to an NFU survey. The NFU’s 2023 Dairy Intentions Survey of almost 600 UK dairy farmers revealed that insufficient returns, volatile markets and the scale of on-farm investment required, have all played a part in why many of Britain’s dairy farmers are thinking hard about their future in the sector. The NFU is said to represent more than 46,000 farming and growing businesses in England and Wales in the UK. A further 23% of all milk producers have said they are “unsure” if they are going to continue production beyond the next two years. According to the survey, smaller enterprises producing less than 1 million litres of milk per year are more likely to stop production before March 2025, compared to those producing higher volumes. According to figures from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (ADHB), there are currently around 7,500 dairy producers in the UK. This figure has decreased by 4.8% since last year, according to the NFU. The findings also showed increases in input prices such as feed (84%), energy (83%) and fertiliser (74%), all said to be areas of concern. 52% of producers are stopping production due to the scale of investment required for their farms to remain compliant, such as slurry storage, a factor that is highlighted as a concern for 91% of producers when considering whether to increase production in the future. NFU Dairy Board chair Michael Oakes, said: “With increasing global demand for British dairy, we know that the long-term future is bright for our sector. To ensure we maximise this potential, it’s imperative that government continues to work with us to ensure we have the right environmental, regulatory and trade framework in place to support the production of high quality, nutritious and sustainable food." New industry-wide contract regulation expected to come in later this year, as announced by the government in July, “must support fairer, more transparent and accountable supply chains,” Oaks added. The regulations would enable farmers to challenge prices, prevent changes from being made to contracts without farmers’ agreement, and make it easier for farmers to raise concerns.

Officials from Ukraine and Romania have signed a deal that would allow Kyiv to transit its grains through its neighbour’s land. Multiple news sources have reported that around 60% of Ukraine's grains would be transported through Romania. Romania has become Ukraine’s third largest trading partner in Europe, according to Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and Prime Minister of Romania Marcel Ciolacu during a joint briefing in Bucharest on Friday, 18 August. Shmyhal said: “Special attention in our cooperation with Romania is paid to the development of the Danube ports and Black Sea trade routes. We hope that expert consultations and joint work will allow us to lift restrictive measures on Ukrainian grain exports after 15 September. This is important for our economy and global food security.” Russia announced its decision to terminate the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative in July this year. The Black Sea initiative was agreed by Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the UN in July 2022, along with a parallel accord between the UN and Russia on grain and fertiliser exports from the country. It facilitated the export of more than 30 million tonnes of Ukrainian grain to global markets via three Black Sea ports. Before the deal fell through, Romania's Black Sea port of Constanta had emerged as Ukraine's biggest alternative shipping route, according to Reuters. Following the decision, on the nights of 18 and 19 July, Russia launched attacks on Ukraine port infrastructure involved in the Black Sea Grain initiative, officials announced at the time. The Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine said that 60,000 tonnes of grain were destroyed in the port of Chornomorsk, which was due to be loaded on a large-tonnage ship and sent through the grain corridor 60 days prior.

UK-based absinthe distillery Devil’s Botany has launched a new recipe for its London Absinthe, creating an absinthe that does not cloud when diluted. Traditionally distilled clear and green-style absinthes will cloud when diluted. This ‘louche’ effect occurs naturally due to the organic compound anethole, found in green anise and fennel seed, which are used in absinthe’s distillation. Devil’s Botany said its aim was to create a modern absinthe that is distilled with grand wormwood, green anise and fennel seed, but that allows the supporting flavours of other botanicals used in the distillation – such as lemon balm, peppermint and elderflower – to shine through. According to the company, its new recipe London Absinthe remains clear when diluted with water, both in appearance and flavour, setting it apart from traditional French and Swiss styles. The clear-style, 45% ABV London Absinthe has been designed to be enjoyed over ice with a mixer of choice or as part of a cocktail. Rhys Everett, co-founder of Devil’s Botany Distillery, said: “Innovation is key to unleashing absinthe’s untapped potential. In the same way that distilleries have embraced the less juniper-forward contemporary style of gin, there is room for experimentation within the world of absinthe.” He added: “The liquorice-like flavour of green anise and fennel seed is slightly less dominant in this new genre of absinthe, allowing supporting flavours and aromas of other botanicals to stand out”.

Sports nutrition brand Moonvalley has partnered with Billerud to launch new paper packaging for its chocolate-dipped protein bars. Founded in 2012, Billerud is a Swedish pulp and paper manufacturer with headquarters in Solna. Moonvalley is making a transition from using plastic packaging to paper packaging for its raspberry and cocoa chocolate-dipper protein bars. Johan Björkman, Moonvalley CEO, said: "The new packaging material from Billerud is revolutionary for a market that has only had plastic and metal as previous alternatives. As this is barrier paper, it can be sorted in paper recycling and is thus much more sustainable than other packaging in this segment." By using Billerud Recyclable Flow Wrap – a packaging solution based on renewable and recyclable wood fibres sourced from sustainably managed forests – Billerud showcases its commitment to crafting eco-friendly packaging solutions. According to the company, the packaging material facilitates a shift from plastic to paper packaging, leading to decreased CO2 emissions during the production phase. Moonvalley said: "Initial internal calculations indicate that CO2 emissions are reduced by nearly half with Billerud Recyclable Flow Wrap compared to plastic packaging". Radka Peterson, sustainability manager at Billerud, commented: "At Billerud, we develop packaging materials that challenge conventional packaging for a more sustainable future. Therefore, we are particularly pleased to now, together with Moonvalley, develop packaging for their products that reduce the climate impact and the use of plastic." The chocolate-dipped protein bars with the new paper packaging will be available at all 7-Eleven and Pressbyrån stores.

Cannabis lifestyle and CPG company Tilray Brands has announced it has purchased the remaining 57.5% equity ownership of Truss Beverage from Molson Coors Canada. Truss was a joint venture established between Molson Coors and producer of cannabis products Hexo, to develop non-alcoholic, cannabis-infused beverages for the Canadian market. In June this year, Tilray acquired Hexo. In a statement, Tilray said that regulatory shifts are expected to facilitate market entry for cannabis-infused beverages, promising “substantial growth for the category,” with authorities re-evaluating their consumer policies. Tilray said the acquisition would strengthen its market position and streamline sales and distribution. Blair MacNeil, president of Tilray Canada, said: “In addition to acquiring full and direct ownership of a stable high-growth brand, this acquisition further strengthens Tilray’s number one cannabis market share position in Canada and positions the company at the forefront of the adult-use beverage sector. We are excited to build upon our leading portfolio of beloved cannabis brands and to further diversify our product offerings while broadening our consumer reach and enhancing consumer’s lives.” Tilray’s expanded cannabis portfolio now includes XMG, Mollo, House of Terpenes and Little Victory, with a “combined pro-forma market share of around 36%”. The announcement follows news last week that Tilray had acquired eight beverage brands from AB InBev in an $85 million deal.

The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew has partnered with Mediterranean ingredients company, Odysea, to launch a new range of fruit compotes, honey, olive oils and antipasti. The new range features 14 products, which will be available from Kew Gardens’ gift shop in Richmond, England, UK and online. Odysea’s olive farmers are said to protect their local biodiversity, climate, water quality and soil fertility with traditional farming methods. The Kew Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil is harvested just before the olives ripen between 25 October and 11 November. The early harvest “locks in a high polyphenol content, which contributes to the oil’s unique, peppery taste”. Pomegranate Balsamic Vinegar and Apple Balsamic Vinegar also join the condiment collection. The juice from Golden and Red Delicious apples is matured for four to five years in oak barrels to create a sweet and fruity vinegar. Meanwhile, the Pomegranate juice is aged for one year to create a ruby red vinegar. A new Pomegranate Harissa will be available, which infuses Odysea’s smoky chilli and red pepper meze with the sweetness of pomegranate. Wild Fig Compote and Morello Cherry Compote, joining the line-up, are inspired by the Greek custom of spoon sweets. The full range includes: Kew Greek Greek Orange Blossom Raw Honey, 390g, £12.50 Kew Greek Greek Spring Blossom Raw Honey, 390g, £12.50 Kew Greek Greek Oak Raw Honey, 390g, £12.50 Kew Organic Green Olive Tapenade, 230g, £5 Kew Kalamata Olive Tapenade, 240g, £4 Kew Pitted Green Conservolia Olives with Lemon and Garlic in EVOO, 235g, £6 Kew Alexandria Style Pitted Olives, 235g, £6 Kew Pomegranate Balsamic Vinegar, 250ml, £12 Kew Apple Balsamic Vinegar, 250ml, £18 Kew Limited Edition Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 500ml, £17 Kew Morello Cherry Compote, 350g, £8.50 Kew Wild Fig Compote, 350g, £8.50 Kew Pomegranate Harissa, 250g, £5 Kew Organic Pressed Heirloom Tomatoes, 300g, £5.50

On Wednesday last week, FoodBev was delighted to receive an exclusive invitation from TNA for 'Feeding Ambitions' – an open-house event hosted in the city of Birmingham in the UK. Rafaela Sousa rounds up the day's events. Stepping into TNA's facility, we explored the company’s impressive technological capabilities. The visit provided FoodBev with profound insights – spanning from seasoning, distribution and packaging equipment – and offered an in-depth look into the inner workings of TNA’s warehouse operations. A notable highlight was our transition from the event's physical floor to a vivid virtual factory experience, made possible through the use of a VR headset. Simon Eggleton, divisional sales manager – Europe at TNA, introduced us to the company’s case-packing system for flexible bags, the Ropac 5, which is considered to be one of the fastest in the industry. In a demonstration featuring small pretzel bags, the machine’s ability to produce an impressive 160 bags per minute was showcased. Notably, this machine’s capacity extends to a remarkable 300 bags per minute and is tailored to accommodate small-to-medium, pillow-style snack bags. Following that, Eggleton guided us to the roflo HM 3 (horizontal motion distribution conveyor) and the roflo VM 3 (vibratory motion distribution conveyor), both integral to chip processing. He explained that customers can use the roflo HM 3 to effectively shuffle products to minimise flavour loss and reduce excessive seasoning build-up in the pan. Eggleton further detailed that the system has a gentle sweeping action, and customers can transfer the product long distances with low energy consumption. Meanwhile, the roflo VM 3 utilises horizontal vibratory motions to distribute products evenly, making it particularly suitable for storing and precise flow control. We were then led to explore the art of machine seasoning, intelli-flav OMS 5. Elwyn Cope, solutions specialist – coating and seasoning at TNA, provided us with a comprehensive overview of the device. The OMS 5 combines a dynamic vibratory weigh conveyor, facilitating the seamless blending of product, oil spray and seasoning powder within a single drum. When asked if any snack product is more popular than the other, Cope responded: “It all comes down to the type of snacks that we are producing or we are trying to flavour at the time”. He noted that the preferences for snack varieties often evolve with the times, reflecting a shift towards healthier alternatives. “What we are tending to find, at the moment, is a lot of people are down for healthier snacks. So, things like popcorn.” Our journey further extended to TNA's expansive warehouse, where they presented a wider range of machinery. As the event drew to a close, we spoke with Natasha Avelange, global extended reality manager at TNA. Using a VR headset, we were able to immerse ourselves in a virtual factory environment. This innovation allows for remote setup, installation and maintenance of production lines, leading to a significant decrease in carbon emissions and operational downtime. Through careful optimisation of space, ensuring accessibility and the seamless integration of production line equipment, potential risks and challenges can be effectively addressed with this technology – regardless of where individuals are located globally – before anyone arrives on-site. “It's a functional tool to help improve the efficiency, communication, time and money,” Avelange emphasised. A huge thank you to the TNA team for allowing us to visit their Birmingham site in person!

Farmland, a specialist organic farmland fund manager, has announced the launch of its $250 million Vital Farmland III, its third and largest fund to date. Vital Farmland III (Fund III) aims to extend the company’s mission of transforming conventional farms into dynamic, sustainable and organic operations in response to increasing consumer demand for food products derived from organic and regeneratively farmed sources. The company currently manages over 16,000 acres in the US with approximately $250 million in assets under management. The fund manager said its third fund will allow investors to “align compelling financial returns with measurable, positive environmental impact”. Its first fund, Vital Farmland (Fund I) has generated a net average after-tax return to original investors of 113% since inception. Craig Wichner, CEO of Farmland, said that the company’s strategy is grounded in “simplicity and effectiveness”, adding that Farmland boosts cash flows and land values by acquiring chemical-dependent farms and reengineering them as “models of organic and regenerative agriculture”. He commented: “Our new fund provides a unique opportunity for institutional and accredited individual investors to tap into this high-potential asset class, fostering regenerative farming practices that benefit our planet”. “Investors are increasingly seeking verifiable claims of sustainability. Our commitment to Certified Organic standards and regenerative farming practices focused on soil health assures our investors that their capital is truly advancing sustainable agriculture.”

Arla Foods Ingredients and Zhongbai Xingye Food Technology have signed a distribution agreement for Arla to provide its products to the Chinese food and nutrition markets. Zhongbai is part of the Brenntag Group, a chemical and ingredients distribution company that acquired the company in 2021. The partnership is said to build on Arla and Zhongbai's long-standing relationship, spanning over 15 years, during which they have "significantly grown" their presence in the Chinese market. The newly established agreement focuses on three key sectors: infant nutrition, in which the partnership will be focused on helping manufacturers enhance the nutritional value of formulas and other products for infants and toddlers; performance nutrition, the deal sees potential for further growth in China's performance nutrition market, which includes sports nutrition, nutrition for seniors and dietary supplements; and food and beverage. The collaboration between the two companies includes a jointly financed Innovation & Application Center situated within Zhongbai's Beijing facility. The centre, which serves as a hub for creating formulations tailored specifically to the Chinese market, will be expanded to include additional capabilities for creating products tailored to local market needs. Luis Cubel, commercial director of Arla Foods Ingredients, said: “Demographic changes in China have increased the demand for high-quality products, particularly in the infant nutrition and performance nutrition spaces. This agreement will help us adapt, and make our offering to Chinese markets even stronger. Zhongbai offers a wealth of expertise and local knowledge, and over the past 15 years, it’s been an incredibly productive partnership for both companies. We’re hugely excited about this new opportunity to co-operate even further, and to continue to invest in one of the world’s most important nutrition markets.” Michael Friede, CEO of Brenntag Specialties, said: “This is an agreement that builds on some very solid foundations. We have a great working relationship with Arla Foods Ingredients, whose expertise, capacity and understanding of market needs has helped both companies grow in China. There’s still potential for major expansion, particularly in key segments like performance nutrition. We’re looking forward to working together to take the opportunities that lie ahead as two market leaders are joining hands for future growth in a highly attractive specialities market.”

John Paul Jones Rum (JPJ) has launched its first ready-to-drink (RTD) canned cocktail created in partnership with drinks company, Double Dutch. The RTD cocktail features a light, refreshing rum-based blend in a 250ml can, combining JPJ’s dark and dry Lowland Rum with Double Dutch’s Cucumber and Watermelon mixer. It features a 4.5% ABV and offers a fruity low-calorie drink, ideal for BBQ parties, picnics and enjoying with friends. “It’s the perfect pairing and we are delighted to be teaming up with the like-minds at Double Dutch for our first foray into the RTD sector,” enthused Finnian Gill, founder and head of product at John Paul Jones. “As companies we are fuelled by the same swashbuckling spirit and our first collaboration blending our seaweed-infused Lowland Rum with their Cucumber and Watermelon mixer certainly goes against the mainstream.” The launch follows the brand’s recent debut of the “first ever” seaweed-infused white rum, Ranger. The RTD cans are available from JPJ’s pop-up shops at upcoming Pub in the Park festivals and on johnpauljones.uk.

Proper Snacks has teamed up with KFC to launch a new limited-edition popcorn product. The offering – called Popcorn Chicken Popcorn – combines KFC's popcorn chicken with Proper Snacks’ butterfly popcorn. It is said to bring together KFC’s famous blend of herbs and spices. Popcorn Chicken Popcorn is vegan, gluten-free and HFSS-compliant, containing 90 calories per serving. It is also made using all-natural seasonings and has no palm oil. Proper Snacks founder Cassandra Stavrou said: “This is a huge moment for Proper Snacks. Our take on the finger-lickin' classic brings a little extra seasoning to your go-to snack. Two culturally relevant brands have collided to bring the world’s favourite popcorn chicken to fans in a fun, creative way. And in partnering with a global leader with KFC, it means even more people will try and enjoy our banging new flavour.” KFC’s innovation director, Kate Wall, added: “We pride ourselves on doing the unexpected, which is why we’re so excited to be partnering with Proper Snacks. This partnership is about combining two iconic products to bring the world Popcorn Chicken… Popcorn, so that people can enjoy our distinctive taste in new ways.” Popcorn Chicken Popcorn will launch in Co-op stores on 23 August 2023, followed by Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda in the following weeks.