Industry News |
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CENTRAL EUROPE 2009: Polish growth not Czeched |
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19-12-2008 |
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There's little disagreement about the overall outlook for Central Europe in 2009: in a November survey by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) and Erste Group, some 66% of financial market experts questioned said they're not persuaded that the competitive advantages of the fast-growing countries in the region will be enough to stave off the effects of the economic slowdown from the Eurozone and they anticipate a widespread slowdown over the coming six months.
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Cadbury to change distribution in Hungary |
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05-12-2008 |
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The British confectionary producer Cadbury has decided to introduce a new distribution model in Hungary, reported Mai Piac. The company will close its Budapest office on 1 February 2009, and one distributor will be responsible for all of the Cadbury products sold in Hungary. Full
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Tesco tops forecasts |
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13-11-2008 |
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Britain's biggest food retailer Tesco Plc reported on Tuesday a 14.7 percent rise in annual profits that was at the top end of analysts' forecasts and said it had met its long-held overseas earnings targets. Full
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Innovation in food products essential |
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20-10-2008 |
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Food makers confronted by today's challenging economic times must continue to invest hard in innovation to beat the downturn. This year's SIAL, which opened yesterday in Paris, is a showcase of new ideas that could help to boost margins and weather the economic storm. Full
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Tesco Trading Through Tough Times |
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15-10-2008 |
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At yesterday’s IGD Convention, Tesco’s Lucy Neville-Rolfe explained about the Tesco approach to the new trading environment. She explained that Tesco’s success has been based on giving customers what they want, and that this remains very much the case. Full
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Whitbread - Good Progress |
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14-10-2008 |
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Whitbread Plc, the owner of Premier Inn budget hotels and Costa cafes, made ``good progress'' in the first six weeks of its second half as business travelers and consumers moved to economize. Full
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Europe Meat Consumption Increase |
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03-10-2008 |
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Cattlemen and meat packers in the US are ramping up the production of hormone-free beef to sell in the UK and throughout Europe.
The singlemindedness of British and European meat eaters has all but ended the longstanding beef war between the US and the EU - even if lawyers for the two sides don't realise it yet.
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Industry interested in Hungery's potential |
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19-09-2008 |
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Despite expected difficulties in the Hungarian marked, due to prospects of a sharp drop in external demand and ongoing fiscal tightening measures, foreign retailers have remained interested in the country's potential in the discount sector. Full
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Pepsi buys Serbian potato chips maker Marbo Product |
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11-09-2008 |
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According to Serbian Business Registry data, Marbo made a EUR 12.5mn profit last year, 50 percent up on 2006. In 2007, the company’s revenue totaled some EUR 50mn. According to press reports, Marbo owns firms and distribution centers in Croatia, Albania, Greece, Macedonia and Montenegro. Full
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Ice cream dominates dairy innovation drive |
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08-09-2008 |
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Ice cream is leading growth in the global market for innovative dairy products as consumers increasingly associate the segment as being more of an everyday, year-round household grocery, according to a new report. Full
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Uganda passes EU’s global private food standard |
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05-09-2008 |
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For the first time ever, two Ugandan exporting firms have been certified by the European Union private standard called Global Gap. This milestone has opened and increased chances of Uganda’s exports presence on the shelves of EU supermarkets. Full
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EU regulations attract global attention |
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03-09-2008 |
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Imperfect as they may be, the European Union’s regulatory efforts in the food area have attracted the attention of regulators around the world, some of whom view what is being done in the bloc as a legislative template. Full
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CROATIA: AGROKOR has sourced funds for expansion in Serbia |
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21-08-2008 |
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Idea, a subsidiary of the Croatian food concern Agrokor, is likely to receive a loan of EUR70 million (USD109 million) from EBRD. The total value of the project is EUR120 million (USD187 million). EBRD plans to provide EUR35 million (USD55 million) with another EUR35 million (USD55 million) coming from other participating banks. The project will support a regional investor in Serbia and its development of modern retail formats particularly outside Belgrade where the penetration of modern retail is still low, EBRD said in a statement.
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BULGARIA: SCHWARZ GROUP Kaufland invests in Bulgarian DC |
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21-08-2008 |
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BULGARIA: SCHWARZ GROUP Kaufland invests in Bulgarian DC
Kaufland in Bulgaria is further expanding its logistics site in Rakovski near Plovdiv. The hypermarket operator will invest BGN50 million (USD39.7 million) this year in an additional building close to the existing distribution centre. Kaufland already expanded the site in 2006 and 2007. The latest constructions are expected to be completed by the end of this year. Full
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Brewers and emerging markets spell more sales for Novozymes |
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14-08-2008 |
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Increased use of enzymes by brewers and demand for baking enzymes in emerging markets have helped Novozymes achieve impressive sales growth in its food division in the first half of 2008.
The Danish enzyme and biobusiness company supplies to a broad slate of industries, including detergents, textiles and pharmaceuticals – as well food and beverage manufacturers.
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Tesco teams up with Tata to enter Indian grocery market |
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13-08-2008 |
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Tesco ended years of speculation yesterday by signing a deal to launch a wholesale cash and carry business in India, but said that sales would initially be "modest".
* The UK company now has operations in 12 countries (excluding India) outside Britain, which also include the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Republic of Ireland, Slovakia, Turkey, Thailand, Malaysia and Japan. Given its strong position in the UK grocery market, Tesco expects its international division will deliver a large chunk of its sales growth over coming years.
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Bosnia signs EU pre-accession deal |
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17-06-2008 |
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Bosnia and Herzegovina signed a pre-accession deal with the EU on 16 June in Luxembourg after weeks of delay, with the move representing important progress in the Balkan country's EU integration process. Full
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Tackling European trade barriers |
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17-06-2008 |
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A European Commission proposal for a Mutual Recognition Regulation will ease trade barriers across the bloc for food supplements makers, according to a European Commission official. Full
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Tesco Q1 UK underlying sales growth slows UPDATE |
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10-06-2008 |
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Tesco Plc, Britain's biggest retailer, reported on Tuesday a slowdown in UK underlying sales as its first quarter progressed as consumers cut back on spending in non-food areas such as furniture, sending its shares over 2 percent lower. Full
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Breaking the Confines of a Small Market |
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06-06-2008 |
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At first sight, the size and maturity of Slovenian retail market do not hold a promise of fast growth. However, industry leaders have learned how to leverage their knowledge of a wider Western Balkans region to outgrow the confines of their domestic market. Full
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Investors love Hungary |
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06-06-2008 |
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Hungary is the seventh most popular investment target in Europe as shown in the survey by the professional services firm Ernst & Young. Full
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Bosnia's way to EU open |
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21-05-2008 |
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A European Union representative says there are no obstacles to Bosnia signing a pre-membership agreement with the European bloc.
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SLOVENIA: Financial System in Good Shape |
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20-05-2008 |
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The financial system in Slovenia is in relatively good condition, while Banka Slovenije is alert and monitors the situation on the market, central bank Governor Marko Kranjec said as he presented the report on financial stability. Full
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EU sugar set for leaner and fitter future |
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09-05-2008 |
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The ambitious EU sugar reforms are on track and progressing at good speed, says Mariann Fisher Boel, confirming the positive outlook expressed by firms presently planning next steps for their sugar divisions. Full
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Tesco Poland opening plans |
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06-05-2008 |
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In Poland, Tesco’s local operation has reported a 24% rise in full year sales to PLN1.8 billion (USD726.1 million) for the year to February. Full
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Tesco CZ 2007 turnover rise |
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06-05-2008 |
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Tesco’s operation in the Czech Republic has reported a 23% rise in turnover to CZK38.879 billion (USD1.9 billion) in the year ended February 28. Full
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Kraft Foods sells European assets |
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25-04-2008 |
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Kraft Foods announced on 24 April that it has signed agreements to sell its Artiach biscuits business in Spain to Barcelona-based bakery Panrico and its Balaton chocolate trademark in Hungary to Nestle. Full
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Solae introduces new uses for soy in CEE |
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24-04-2008 |
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Solae is seeking to build sales of its soy ingredients in Central and Eastern Europe by spearheading applications that are new to the market, such as dairy and meat replacement and nutrition bars. Full
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Ocean Spray ITC sees sales soar in CEE |
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24-04-2008 |
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Ocean Spray ITG has revealed extraordinary growth for its products in Poland in the last few years - a phenomenon attributed to growing health awareness, spending power, and a pre-existing berry culture. Full
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Santovka mineral water for sale |
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23-04-2008 |
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Slovak water bottling company Zapadoslovenske zriedla has called a public tender to sell Slovak trademarks and production facilities of mineral water Santovka. Full
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Auchan announces upturn in sales |
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16-04-2008 |
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French retailer Auchan announced an increase in sales for 2007, despite the stuttering economic situation in western Europe, with economic progress in central and eastern Europe, as well as in China, coming to the rescue. Full
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Hungary goes to China to boost economic ties |
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15-04-2008 |
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Chinese imports to Hungary amounted to some €3.75 billion, 21.6% up on 2006. But Hungary has an ambitious plan to expand its role, positioning itself as a gateway for Chinese products to the European markets, and last year signed a contract on a major center in Budapest aimed at facilitating this. Full
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ROMANIA: GDP to Advance by 6.5% in 2008 |
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31-03-2008 |
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Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will advance by 6.5 per cent in 2008 and by 6.1 per cent in 2009, according to National Commission of Prognosis (NCP), these estimations being maintained also for the next six years. Full
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Budapest: new stores invigorate the market |
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18-02-2008 |
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Several new specialist shops and a large store point to a growing organic market in Hungary in the last two years. Industry insiders estimate the market growth to be 10-20% a year. In Budapest the number of specialist wholefood shops is rising slowly but steadily. Full
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Slovenian wines bring disorder in the cork |
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06-02-2008 |
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In the ever-widening world of wine, Slovenia -- the South Central European country bordered by Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia -- is emerging as a promising new producer with an idiosyncratic personality. Full
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PepsiCo goes for Bulgarian nuts |
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10-01-2008 |
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Number one snack company PepsiCo yesterday said it has acquired Bulgarian nuts and seeds firm Penelopa, targeting both the health and wellness trend as well as the promising Eastern European market. Full
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Czech organic market keeps on growing |
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03-01-2008 |
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Consumption of organic food has risen rapidly in the Czech Republic. Last year, the organic market increased by 49 % compared with 2005, to 760 million Kc (€ 29 million), according to Green Marketing. Full
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