Category: LATEST NEWS

Starbucks expands reusable cup program in US to cut down on waste

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US – American multinational chain of coffeehouses and roastery reserves Starbucks is expanding its reusable cup program in the United States in an effort to reduce single-use cup waste. The coffeehouse company said that the borrow-and-return program will run in five Seattle stores for two months as it gauges the viability of the program for a possible wider roll-out in future. The trial program called Borrow A Cup program allows customers to order their beverage in a reusable cup, each replacing up to 30 disposable cups. According to Starbucks, for…

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Cadbury Nigeria reports 10% decline in full year revenue while Unilever Nigeria registers 2% top-line growth

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NIGERIA – Cadbury Nigeria, subsidiary of snack and confectionery firm Mondelez International has reported a 10% decline in full year revenue for the period ended December 2020, to N35.41 billion (US$86.5m). The decline, according to Naira Metrics was occasioned by the decrease in domestic and export sales, spearheaded by the impact of COVID-19, which further affected its profits. The maker of hot chocolate beverage suffered an 83% decline in profit to N172.67 million (US$422,000). Cadbury’s profitability thrives on high volume and high revenue as FMCG profit margins are usually rather…

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ITFC, OCP Africa partner to build Côte d’Ivoire’s rice value chain, Malawi government plans US$40m rice scheme

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CÔTE D’IVOIRE – The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) has partnered with OCP Africa to support 20,000 rice farmers in Côte d’Ivoire’s agriculture value chain, to boost local agricultural production, minimize exposure to imports and advance food security in the country. The initiative will be undertaken trough OCP Africa’s Agribooster Program with participation from the Arab Africa Trade Bridges (AATB) Program, a multi-partner program led by ITFC. The agreement was signed by Dr. Mohamed Anouar Jamali, Chief Executive Officer of OCP Africa, a subsidiary of OCP Group, and Eng.…

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Nestlé’s new plant-based food processing facility in Malaysia to support alternative proteins adoption in Asia

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MALAYSIA – World’s largest food company Nestlé has inaugurated a new production site for plant-based burgers, schnitzels, mince, and more in Shah Alam, Malaysia in an effort to support the current wave of alternative protein foods that is currently happening in Asia. According to Nestlé, the new facility has the capacity to produce 8,000 tons of plant-based food a year and will supply both foodservice and retail with the new Harvest Gourmet brand. Plant-based diet is now in vogue in Asia just like in many other parts of the world…

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Mozambique’s Bananalândia Group eyes bigger banana export market, opening US$20m processing unit

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MOZAMBIQUE – Bananalândia Group, a major producer and exporter of bananas in Mozambique has inaugurated its new US$20 million production and processing unit in Maputo province, South of the country. The new unit according to Club of Mozambique, uses modern equipment to plant banana palms and occupies an area of 900 hectares. It currently employs 1,000 workers, with an annual production capacity of 3.5 million boxes for export, reinforcing Mozambique’s lead position in the regional banana market. Over the last decade, much has been done to make the country a…

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NBL treats Namibians abroad with iconic Windhoek Lager, commemorating 31st independence of diplomatic missions

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NAMIBIA – Namibia’s leading beer maker Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL) has donated 340 cases of Windhoek Lager, valued at close to N$ 100 000 (US$6,800) to the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation (MIRCO), in celebration of the 31st independence of Namibian diplomatic missions abroad, officially commemorated on 21 March 2021. According to the subsidiary of the Ohlthaver & List (O&L Group), the Windhoek Lager consignment will be dispatched to the diplomatic missions of Namibia across the globe. The brewer has chosen to use its iconic premium lager to be…

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SAB to launch new B-BBEE scheme with US$371m worth of AB InBev’s shares

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SOUTH AFRICA – The South African Breweries (SAB), subsidiary of AB InBev is set to launch its new B-BBEE scheme SAB Zenzele Kabili which will own R5.4 billion (US$371m) worth of the parent compay’s shares, after the maturation of its SAB Zenzele in May 2021. SAB Zenzele is the largest B-BBEE scheme in the history of South Africa in the fast-moving consumer goods sector, with a total maturation value of R9.7 billion. Launched in 2010, the landmark scheme transaction endeavoured to give the company’s retailer partners – taverners, bottle store…

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PepsiCo Egypt launches Recycle for Tomorrow platform for plastic waste management

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EGYPT – PepsiCo Egypt has successfully launched its waste management platform “Recycle for Tomorrow” under the auspices of the Ministry of Environment, and in collaboration with Dorna initiative “Reverse credit system”. The initiative is designed and implemented by CID Consulting, with an investment of EGP 10 million (US$637,000), to be channeled towards collecting and recycling the equivalent of 8 million Kilos of the company’s plastic production in 2021, for the first phase. This unique platform contributes in achieving a sustainable model, with a special focus on how to solve and…

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Tunisia to continue relying on grain imports to meet growing demand

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TUNISIA – Favourable weather conditions are expected to boost production of grains in Tunisia to 1.2 million metric tonnes (MT) of wheat and 650, 000 MT of barley in the Market Year (MY) 2021/22. This is a rise from MY 2020/21 production estimates of 1.04 MMT for wheat and 465,000 MT for barley. According to a GAIN report prepared by USDA Foreign Agricultural Services, ample rainfall and good soil moisture encouraged farmers to seed larger areas in October to December 2020. The seeded area for wheat increased from 556,000 HA…

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Wine, Baked foods, Coffee among foods with greatest post-pandemic staying power- Numerator

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GLOBAL – The coronavirus pandemic undoubtedly changed food consumption habits in the U.S. for the better part of the past year. There was more at-home consumption than had been seen in decades prior to the pandemic while many consumers increased their intake of healthy and functional foods in an attempt to boost their immunities. There was also a significant shift towards legacy brands that evoked a sense of nostalgia and familiarity during very uncertain and unfamiliar times. How many of those trends have become permanently ingrained in the daily consumption…

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