The festive season is approaching fast and, for many of us, the run-up to Christmas means attending a never-ending stream of Christmas parties. In most of these merry gatherings, the consumption of wine, beer and other alcoholic beverages is as self-evident as pulling the Christmas cracker.

Continue reading “Regulatory Threat to Cheap Booze will Force Innovation in Alcohol Industry” »

The food and drinks exports from UK touched a new record of £11.5 Billion in 2007, an upshot of 9.1% over 2006, fuelled mainly by rising demand and the weakening pound.

Britain registered a new record in food exports during 2007. The total value of produced and processed food exports was pegged at £11.5 Billion, an increase of 9.1% over 2006, according to the UK government’s export agency, Food from Britain.

Continue reading “Weak Pound Drives Export of Food and Drinks in the UK” »

From instant wontons  to burgers and fries, the world’s most populous nation is rapidly discovering a taste for fast food. New research says China is  now the fifth largest fast food consuming nation in the world.

Continue reading “Wontons, Burgers and Fries: China’s cruising on the Fast Food lane” »

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said that food prices in the country are expected to surge between 4% and 5% in 2008, as reported by Guardian.co.uk. The department further revealed that the country has witnessed the highest annual increment of 5% in food prices since 1990. The prices of corn in June 2008 flared up by 143% to $8.26 per bushel, an increase of more than double the prices recorded in mid 2007. The price of food items like beef, chicken and pork would be prime cause for higher prices in the US in 2009. As for 2008, the highest price rise is forecast for eggs, cereals and bakery products, fats and oils by 14%, 9.5% and 12% respectively.

Continue reading “Rising Cost of Food linked to Weak Dollar and High Oil Prices” »

There is one thing that has avoided the credit crunch – chocolate. Instead of going out for the evening we have started to stay in to beat the crunch. To me this is a sensible option, although it is not the healthiest one, it is far better than alcohol.

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Innocent has launched a range of vegetable-based meals called Veg Pots. Innocent Drinks has extended its brand to include vegetable-based products for the first time, with the launch of four varieties of prepared meals that will initially be available in Waitrose stores. The move continues the company’s health focus, but it is debatable whether Veg Pots will have the same appeal as its popular fruit smoothies.

Continue reading “Innocent Drinks: Moving into Vegetables Could be Far from Smooth” »

Hovis is looking to rejuvenate its brand and increase its share of the UK bread market.

Premier Foods is set to relaunch its Hovis brand with a GBP13 million advertising campaign. A new logo, new product lines and a series of television adverts will be used in an effort to turn around a decline in market share. Although Hovis has already seen an increase in sales through the first quarter of 2008, competition from key rivals Warburtons and Kingsmill remains fierce.

Continue reading “Hovis’ Relaunch Set to Earn Them More Dough” »

The Monarch Beverage Company has introduced a new drink to the US market called Acute Fruit 100% Juice Energy Drink, which is said to be carbon neutral. Available in orange passion fruit flavor, the energy beverage has been launched in partnership with the Carbonfund.org, an organization that helps companies to offset their carbon emissions. As a result of the current publicity surrounding global warming, there will, no doubt, be many more products like this one that are marketed on their small carbon footprints. Continue reading “Companies Continue to Launch New Ethical Beverages” »

Anyone that has visited a grocery store or recently browsed through the food and drink supplement of any newspaper or health magazine would be familiar with the fashionable term ‘superfruit’. Referring to a rapidly growing range of fruit and veg, the valuable superfruit promise is found on a wide selection of beverage and food product labels.

Continue reading “Consumers Hungry for the Health Benefits of the so called Superfruit” »

Starbucks has announced initiatives in two major markets aimed at reinvigorating its business.

Starbucks is to shed 75% of its stores in Australia, following difficulty penetrating the country’s coffee market, and provide free top-ups in the UK and Ireland in recognition of a consumer downturn. Although these moves could be seen to be a reversal of the company’s global aims and premium image, they should allow Starbucks to provide greater value for money during tough economic conditions. Continue reading “Starbucks Responds to Slowing Market” »