The FMT Blog
Opinion, analysis and musings from the FMT editorial team and expert guest writers about the food processing and manufacturing sector.
Premier Foods sees exceptional demand during lockdown
One of the UK’s biggest food brands, Premier Foods, has seen its profits grow by more than £47 million thanks to what it describes as exceptional demand during lockdown. The company, which owns the likes of Oxo, Bisto and Mr Kipling, released its half year results for...
Growth continues for supermarket sales and second lockdown hits consumers
Take-home grocery sales continued to rise in the 12 weeks to 1st November 2020, this time up by 9.3% according to the latest market insight from Kantar. Despite a variety of restrictions coming into force across the country, there was no significant spike in demand in...
Industry says Government not supporting food businesses during pandemic
More than 20 businesses and organisations within the food sector have contributed to a white paper that claims that the Government has not done enough to support the UK’s food and drink industry from the ‘perfect storm’ created by Covid-19 and Brexit. The Food and...
FMT Food Industry Awards product judging postponed
The new lockdown for England announced by the Prime Minister has impacted on the product judging arrangements for the FMT Food Industry Awards, which were due to take place at the Regional Food Academy test kitchens later this month. Harper Adams Regional Food Academy...
Hovis bought by private-equity firm Endless
Hovis, the 134-year old British brand, has announced that it has been bought by private equity firm Endless LLP for an undisclosed sum. The terms of the agreement have been approved by both the Gores Group and Premier Foods, Hovis’ current owners. The bakery brand...
Kerry acquires Canadian probiotic company
Taste and nutrition company Kerry has reached an agreement to acquire the Canadian probiotic company Bio-K Plus International. Bio-K Plus produces a range of clinically supported supplement applications in the North American market and Kerry says it will expand its...
AHDB explores changing landscape for red meat, dairy and potatoes
Red meat, dairy and potatoes have all fared well throughout Covid-19, with grocery spend offsetting losses from foodservice closures during lockdown for most categories, according to AHDB. Analysts explored the impact of the pandemic on these sectors and found that...
Research reveals consumer motivation behind food products
Consumers pay more attention to on-pack claims related to nutrition, sustainability, ethical issues, clean-label and provenance than to sensory-based claims such as “great taste,” according to research from Campden BRI. The findings, which were gained from 2,400...
Online orders up by 102% at Sainsbury’s
According to the Sainsbury’s latest interim results, its online grocery sales grew by 102% over the seven-month period ending 19th September, with digital sales up 117% to £5.8 billion, which accounts for nearly 40% of total sales. The retailer has reported that its...
Big increase in FMT Awards product entries
The Food Management Industry Awards has seen a substantial increase in product entries this year up nearly 50% over 2019/20. Awards organiser Sharon Yandell commented: “We are experiencing a great deal of growing interest in the Awards and to see the quality and range...