The US Justice Department requested an “emergency motion” to appeal a judge's ruling that US Sugar's plans to buy Imperial Sugar were legal under antitrust law. The department said it was “disappointed” following the court’s decision to allow US Sugar to acquire Imperial Sugar. Brian Hanna, the attorney for the US Justice Department's antitrust division who is involved in this trial, submitted the court filing on behalf of the department. Assistant attorney general, Jonathan Kanter spoke on the decision at the time: “We are reviewing the opinion and will determine next steps shortly. We are, as always, grateful for the Antitrust Division staff’s tireless work protecting and promoting competition." The Department of Justice filed a civil antitrust lawsuit in November last year to stop US Sugar from acquiring its rival, Imperial Sugar. The complaint, filed in the US District Court for the District of Delaware, alleged that the transaction of approximately $315 million would leave a majority of refined sugar sales across the Southeast in the hands of only two producers. Consequently, they argued that American businesses and consumers would pay more for refined sugar. A US Sugar spokesperson commented following the judge's ruling: “The people of US Sugar remain pleased that the federal court ruled in our favour. We are confident that the District Court’s ruling will be upheld on appeal. We look forward to expeditiously closing this acquisition as planned, which will increase efficiencies, spur greater competition amongst the industry, decrease US reliance on foreign imported sugar and enhance the local Georgia economy—benefitting customers and consumers across the country.”

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced plans to invest up to $2.8 billion in funding under the first pool of the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities. The announcement was made by agriculture secretary, Tom Vilsack, who said the USDA will support 70 climate-smart commodities and rural projects with the funds. According to the USDA, the initial projects will "expand markets for climate-smart commodities, leverage the greenhouse gas benefits of climate-smart commodity production and provide direct, meaningful benefits to production agriculture, including for small and underserved producers". Vilsack said: “There is strong and growing interest in the private sector and among consumers for food that is grown in a climate-friendly way. USDA is delivering on our promise to build and expand these market opportunities for American agriculture and be global leaders in climate-smart agricultural production. This effort will increase the competitive advantage of US agriculture both domestically and internationally, build wealth that stays in rural communities and support a diverse range of producers and operation types.” $1 billion has already been allocated for the programme, divided into two funding pools. Due to unprecedented demand and interest, the Biden-Harris administration increased the total funding allocation to more than $3 billion. Projects from the second funding pool will be announced later this year.

Diageo has terminated the conditional agreement to sell its Windsor whisky business to private-equity consortium Bayside/Metis. In March, Diageo agreed to sell its premium Scotch whisky brand for KRW 200 billion (approx. £124 million). Under the agreement, Diageo would supply its Windsor whisky to Bayside/Metis for ten years. However, the drink giant said that the consortium was "unable to meet certain conditions for completion, which formed part of the sales agreement". Windsor Global will continue to operate the Windsor business under an independent entity from Diageo Korea.

Mars Wrigley has appointed Alejandro Pinillos as the new vice-president of marketing for Europe, CIS and Turkey. Pinillos joins the company after serving as senior VP for the snacks category at PepsiCo in Europe since July 2011. With a background in FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) and marketing, the new VP will build on the Mars Wrigley brands across Europe, CIS and Turkey. Marc Carena, regional president for Mars Wrigley commented: “Alejandro is a hugely welcomed addition to the regional team here at Mars Wrigley. He brings with him extensive marketing and industry experience, insights from across international markets, and a proven record of delivering commercial excellence.” He added: “As our Marketing strategy and presence continues to build across the region, I am confident that we are in good hands with Alejandro’s innovative approach and fresh mindset - I can’t wait for us to start working together.” In preparation for his move to Mars Wrigley, Alejandro has relocated from Switzerland to London with his family. “I’m excited to be joining Mars Wrigley, an organisation which already has such a strong marketing legacy, beloved portfolio of household brands, and reputation for being driven by a core set of business principles. It’s a great time to be joining the team, and I can’t wait to continue driving the industry-leading Marketing strategy across the brand portfolio,” Pinillos stated.

British agricultural technology company Innovation Agri-Tech Group (IAG) has launched the GrowFrame 360, an aeroponic precision growing technology. The innovative vertical farming tech is the culmination of five years of R&D and has been designed with the aim of revolutionising how crops are produced globally, using 98% less water than conventional farming methods. The patented GrowFrame system has been refined to result in a highly precise growing process and has been proven to produce a healthier root system and superior crop growth and yield, according to Innovation Agri-Tech. The solution does not require sunlight and eliminates weather and seasonal dependency, allowing crops to be grown year-round anywhere in the world. IAG’s technology accelerates crop growth to up to 15 harvest cycles per year, compared with the three to four seen with traditional farming methods, with the equivalent of 10 acres of growing space housed within 135m2. The system is fully automated and managed from a human machine interface (HMI) with real-time data monitoring, and the water used is cleaned using UV treatment and filters before going through the process again, eradicating waste. Additionally, the GrowFrame uses coco peat over soil, meaning no chemicals, pesticides or soil maintenance. Innovation Agri-Tech CEO, Jaz Singh, said: “Having seen first-hand how arable land in India was depleted by traditional open-field farming, I truly believe that vertical farming will become an integral part of the way we grow food around the world and feed our increasing population”. “We have complete faith that we have developed a vertical farming solution which will be a complete game-changer,” he added. Offering a drought-resistant solution, IAG’s GrowFrame can be put to work in countries with minimal water supply, as well as in urban areas with limited space, to help tackle the challenges of world hunger and malnutrition.

A US judge has ruled in favour of US Sugar’s plans to buy rival Imperial Sugar, according to Reuters. The ruling rejected a Justice Department argument that the proposed deal would increase the price of sugar for households as well as for food and soda producers. In the lawsuit filed in November 2021, the Justice Department said that the $315 million deal would give some 75% of refined sugar sales in the US southeast to US Sugar, owner and member of a cooperative with three other companies, and American Sugar Refining, which sells under the Domino brand. The government argued that US Sugar and Imperial Sugar often compete to win contracts from manufacturers, and that the deal would therefore lead to higher sugar prices in the region. The companies countered that sugar was easy to transport and that restricting the market to the southeast was therefore a mistake. They also argued that Imperial Sugar is a high-priced competitor that purchases raw sugar to refine and does not compete to lower prices. US Sugar said in a statement that it was "pleased" with the ruling made by the judge on Friday. "As an employee and charity-owned company, this acquisition will be good for our current and future employees. We look forward to proceeding as planned with this acquisition, which will enable us to increase our domestic sugar production, enhance the local Georgia economy, decrease US reliance on foreign imports of sugar, and benefit farmers, customers and consumers across the country," added president and CEO, Robert Buker. The Justice Department, which can appeal the loss, said it was reviewing its options and that it was “disappointed” by the decision.

Portuguese wine company Abegoarioa Group has completed its acquisition of Vidigal Wines, producer of the widely distributed Porta 6. Headquartered in Alentejo, Portugal, Abegoaria Group has become one of the country’s leading wine companies, with an estimated annual turnover of over €50 million. The Porta 6 brand’s signature wine is the red Lisboa – a blend of Portuguese varietals: Aragonês, Castelão and Touriga Nacional. The acquisition is motivated by Porta 6’s global success, with the brand now available in more than 40 markets worldwide, selling 5 million bottles annually.

Lakeland Dairies has announced that Colin Kelly will assume the role of group CEO following the retirement of Michael Hanley at the end of the year. Kelly will take up the position in January 2023, while Hanley will step down in December this year. Kelly currently works as managing director – trading and member relations at Ornua, having previously held a range of senior finance and general management positions at the company, including the role of CFO of Ornua Ingredients North America. Niall Matthews, chairman of Lakeland Dairies, said: “Colin’s knowledge and experience of the Irish and international dairy industry will be of significant benefit to Lakeland Dairies where he will lead the ongoing future progress, growth and success of our co-operative in the interests of our 3,200 farm families, our staff and our global customer base”. Lakeland Diaries produces a wide range of dairy food ingredients as well as foodservice and consumer products, exporting them to over 80 countries across the world.

Campbell Soup Company has debuted a new range of cooking concentrates, called FlavorUp. FlavorUp is available in three flavours: rich garlic & herb, caramelized onion & burgundy wine and savory mushroom & herb. Campbell says that the cooking concentrates can be added to any protein, grain or vegetable. Linda Lee, chief marketing officer for Campbell's meals and beverages division, said: "We know consumers enjoy cooking at home, but their needs are changing, and budgets are tighter. They appreciate the benefits of a homemade meal but are busy and want restaurant-quality flavour with minimal prep time." She continued: "FlavorUp provides a versatile and flavourful solution that will help home cooks broaden their cooking repertoire to bring an easy, elevated experience to the dinner table". FlavorUp will be available at retailers nationwide for an SRP of $4.59.

Joffer Beverage Company announced the addition of a new chocolate flavour carbonated water to its portfolio of sparkling drinks inspired by Jelly Belly jelly beans. The chocolate beverage features natural flavours infused in carbonated water, with zero sugar, sweeteners, calories and sodium. Jelly Belly Chocolate Sparkling Water will join the current lineup of five other flavour varieties: juicy pear, french vanilla, orange sherbet, very cherry and watermelon, all of which have only two ingredients, sparkling water and natural flavours. Co-founder of Joffer Beverage Company, Ben Joffer, said: "We are excited to continue expanding our line of innovative flavoured sparkling water products, especially with such a popular and unique flavour as chocolate. Our goal with this product was to introduce a flavour that enables consumers to enjoy a guiltless indulgence with amazing taste, along with zero calories and sweeteners. “The drink works on its own as a refreshing and indulgent thirst quencher or as a tasty and healthy ingredient that can be used in a variety of fun beverage creations," he added.

Nespresso has promoted its chief brand officer, Anna Lundstrom, to CEO for the UK and Republic of Ireland (ROI). Lundstrom succeeds Guillaume Chesneau, who has been appointed as business executive officer of Nespresso France. Lundstrom has worked at Nespresso for 12 years, first joining as brand PR manager, before becoming the company’s chief brand officer in 2020. Lundstrom said: "It has been a privilege to lead Nespresso’s brand strategy over the past two years, bringing creative platforms to life and delivering new experiences for Nespresso customers to enjoy, and now I am delighted to take on this new role". "The UK and ROI are home to dynamic and fast-paced coffee scenes, shaped by exciting new trends and opportunities. I’m looking forward to this new chapter at Nespresso, as the business continues to innovate and evolve to meet the needs of our customers, and deliver the high-quality, sustainable coffee experiences we are renowned for."

Israeli food tech company, Ripples, has launched the Ripple Maker II Pro, a hardware device that can print a range of images on the tops of beverages, all in natural plant-based colours. The unique technology is designed to help businesses and brands elevate consumer drink experiences. Meanwhile, the company's patent-pending Chameleon Plus pods are made with flavourless cabbage extract and adjust to a drink’s pH level to print a spectrum of blue- and red-based hues to enhance cocktails. Ripples CEO, Yossi Meshulam, said: "Gen Y and even more so Gen Z keep food and beverage businesses on their toes by raising expectations for innovation, personalisation, and sustainability. The Ripple Maker II Pro was created with these audiences in mind. We wanted to elevate their food and beverage experiences and give them eye-catching reasons to share their moments on social media.” The new beverage-top printer features a range of efficiency upgrades that ensure fast operational workflow. Dual pods enable two colours to be printed onto a single drink and the new automated sensor recognises cup dimensions to adjust the image size, keeping prints centred without manual intervention.