If you cannot read the message below, click here. APO Group content is copyright free and can be republished at will. Follow our channels on WhatsApp and Telegram for the latest. PRESS RELEASE The Coca-Cola System in South Africa Announces R17.6 Billi

 

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, March 31, 2026/ -- The Coca-Cola system in South Africa, comprised of Coca-Cola (http://www.Coca-ColaCompany.com) and its authorized bottlers - Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa and Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages - today announced a planned R17.6 billion investment in South Africa through 2030.
The announcement was made by Luis Felipe Avellar, president of The Coca-Cola Company’s Africa operating unit, at the sixth South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC) in Johannesburg.

The investment will support expanded production capacity, strengthen distribution and accelerate innovation across the Coca-Cola system’s value chain – reinforcing Coca-Cola’s confidence in the South African market and its long-term economic prospects.

With a presence across the country, Coca-Cola has been investing in South Africa’s people and communities for nearly a century. Speaking at the conference, Avellar said: “Our R17.6 billion investment reflects our strong belief in South Africa’s potential and our commitment to growing alongside the communities we serve. We hire locally, produce locally, distribute locally and, where possible, source locally, helping to build a stronger, more integrated economy in South Africa.”

The announcement builds on the findings of a comprehensive socio-economic impact study by global consulting firm Steward Redqueen. The study highlights the scale of the Coca-Cola system’s contribution to South Africa’s economy, employment and communities.

The research reveals that the Coca-Cola system in South Africa, a broad network of local suppliers, distributors and retailers, contributed R51.2 billion in value-added economic activity in 2024.

Through its value chain, the Coca-Cola system supported over 87,000 jobs in sectors like retail, agriculture, manufacturing, transport and services. This included 7,822 direct jobs within the system and an estimated 79,300 jobs supported through suppliers, partners and customers. This means that for every direct job created by the system, 10 more jobs were supported across South Africa’s economy.

The study also highlights the Coca-Cola system’s strong local integration, with R25.6 billion of goods and services sourced from suppliers in South Africa in 2024.

This local procurement supports industries as diverse as sugar production, packaging, transportation and marketing, reinforcing the Coca-Cola system’s role as a partner for growth in South Africa’s economic development.

“South Africa remains one of our most strategic markets in Africa—the beginning of a legacy that dates back to Coca-Cola’s first entry on the continent in 1928. These findings reaffirm the Coca-Cola system’s role as a key driver of shared value and sustainable growth within the South African economy,” said Sunil Gupta, CEO, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa.

The study measured the direct, indirect and induced economic impacts of the Coca-Cola system in South Africa, combining company operational data with trusted third-party economic sources. The analysis demonstrates how Coca-Cola’s local operations ripple across the economy – from farmers growing sugarcane to retailers selling beverages – creating jobs, generating income and building opportunities.

Beyond economic impact, South Africa is one of the beneficiaries of the Coca-Cola system’s Africa Water Stewardship Initiative (http://apo-opa.co/4tlYwkN), a nearly $25 million investment through 2030 to help address critical water-related challenges in local communities in 20 African countries.

“We are optimistic about South Africa’s future, with a continued focus on investing in our business and in initiatives that support economic inclusion and lasting local prosperity,” Charl Goncalves, MD, Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages, concluded.

The investment announcement follows the recent news of Coca-Cola HBC’s agreement to acquire a majority stake in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa, underpinning the importance of South Africa to the Coca-Cola system, and the growth opportunities the country presents.

Zoran Bogdanovic, CEO of Coca-Cola HBC, said: “Congratulations to the Coca-Cola system on this investment announcement. After the transaction completes, we look forward to continuing the great work of Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa in the years to come.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Coca-Cola.
About The Coca-Cola Company:
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories. Our company’s purpose is to refresh the world and make a difference. We sell multiple billion-dollar brands across several beverage categories worldwide. Our portfolio of sparkling soft drink brands includes Coca-Cola, Sprite and Fanta. Our water, sports, coffee and tea brands include Dasani, smartwater, vitaminwater, Topo Chico, BODYARMOR, Powerade, Costa, Georgia, Fuze Tea, Gold Peak and Ayataka. Our juice, value-added dairy and plant-based beverage brands include Minute Maid, Simply, innocent, Del Valle, fairlife and AdeS. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We seek to positively impact people’s lives, communities and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable sourcing practices and carbon emissions reductions across our value chain. Together with our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at www.Coca-ColaCompany.com and follow us on Instagram (http://apo-opa.co/4v4a5yF), Facebook (http://apo-opa.co/4uWErmB) and LinkedIn (http://apo-opa.co/3NOELmT).
SOURCE
Coca-Cola

CILF 2026 Exhibition Planning & Booth Reservation: December 2-4, 2026 in Shenzhen China

 

The 20th China (Shenzhen) International Logistics and Supply Chain Fair (CILF 2026) will be held on December 2–4, 2026 at the Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center.

Important note on booth availability:
With the exhibitor renewal rate from our long-term partners increasing year by year, all exhibition halls are fully occupied for CILF 2025. As a result, booth availability for 2026 is limited. An early decision would be greatly appreciated to help secure a location.
If you are interested in exhibiting, please kindly advise the booth size you are considering at your earliest convenience.

As the world’s leading event for the logistics and supply chain industry, CILF 2026 will once again bring together global leaders, professionals, and innovators for three days of high-level networking, collaboration, and business opportunities.

Building on the strong success of CILF 2025, which featured 2,208 exhibitors from 61 countries and attracted 305,000 professional visits from 89 countries, the 2026 edition will offer an even broader and more dynamic platform.

With:

130,000 sqm of exhibition space

10 major themed sectors

70+ concurrent forums and events

CILF 2026 is an ideal platform to showcase your latest solutions, connect with potential partners, and explore the future of intelligent and sustainable logistics.

To support your planning, please find the following materials:

CILF 2025 Post-Show Report – Key data and insights on exhibitors and visitors

CILF 2025 Video & Photo Gallery – Highlights from the previous edition

CILF 2026 Booth Price Information – Booth options and pricing details

Booth Reservation Form – Submit the application to secure priority booth selection
(Please note: booth applications are valid only after booth location confirmation, please contact the bellow contact to get the form.)

We sincerely look forward to welcoming you to Shenzhen in December 2026.

For booth reservations or further information, please feel free to contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Wishing you a prosperous year ahead, and we look forward to continued successful cooperation in 2026.

Discover the official poster of the SOMMET 2026

We are pleased to unveil the official poster of the Sommet de l'Élevage 2026In this International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, of which the SOMMET will be the highlight next October, we want to honor a livestock farming model deeply rooted in our territories: mountain grazing, the richness of our grassland systems, and the summer pasture period.

 

This visual illustrates an essential practice, at the heart of a sustainable livestock dynamic. The bovine silhouette, with its full and balanced forms, blends with the lines of the mountain range in the background. A familiar, powerful, and authentic landscape: the Massif Central, a historic land of quality French breeds.

At the center of the poster, the Limousine naturally stands out. It will be the featured breed for this 2026 edition.

Through this creation, we wanted to convey a simple and positive message. That of an agriculture that relies on its roots, rises above challenges, and moves forward with constancy, despite adverse winds.

We take this opportunity to extend to you all our best wishes for this new year 2026.
In a demanding context for the agricultural world, we remain deeply confident in our sector's capacity for resilience, innovation, and solidarity.

We look forward to seeing you from October 6 to 9, 2026, in Clermont-Ferrand, France, to celebrate together the richness of our agriculture and those who make it thrive daily.

See you soon,

 

The Sommet de l'Elevage Team

For sustainable livestock farming

Kemin Food Technologies – Asia Appoints DKSH Thailand as New Distribution Partner

 

SINGAPORE (January 31, 2026) – Kemin Industries, a global ingredient manufacturer that strives to sustainability transform the quality of life every day for 80 percent of the world with its products and services, has appointed DKSH Performance Materials (Thailand) Ltd. as its new distributor for Kemin Food Technologies – Asia in Thailand, effective today, January 30, 2026.

This strategic partnership strengthens market presence of Kemin Food Technologies – Asia in the country and enhances the business unit’s ability to support food manufacturers with advanced solutions to extend shelf life, enhance food safety, and elevate food quality.

“Partnering with DKSH allows us to better serve our customers in Thailand and support them in tackling tomorrow’s food challenges,” said LiewGin Lim, President, Kemin Food Technologies – Asia. “Together, we aim to help manufacturers maintain product integrity and keep food safer and fresher for longer.”

Around the world, Kemin’s technologies improve the safety, stability, and sensory experience of food and beverages. The company’s Customer Laboratory Services offer tailored scientific support to accelerate product development and market success. In Thailand, DKSH’s Food Innovation Center offers laboratory services and evaluations, which will now combine local expertise with Kemin’s global innovation to deliver greater value to the Thai food industry.

This collaboration, launched in 2020, builds on a strong regional partnership across Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Indonesia. With Thailand coming into the fold this year, Kemin and DKSH will further expand their footprint and enhance service across Southeast Asia.

Click here to learn more about Kemin Food Technologies – Asia.

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About Kemin Industries

Kemin Industries (www.kemin.com) is a global ingredient manufacturer that strives to sustainably transform the quality of life every day for 80 percent of the world with its products and services. The company supplies over 500 specialty ingredients for human and animal health and nutrition, pet food, aquaculture, nutraceutical, food technologies, crop technologies, textile, biofuel, and animal vaccine industries.

For over half a century, Kemin has been dedicated to using applied science to address industry challenges and offer product solutions to customers in more than 120 countries. Kemin provides ingredients to feed a growing population with its commitment to the quality, safety, and efficacy of food, feed, and health-related products.

Established in 1961, Kemin is a privately held, family-owned-and-operated company with more than 3,300 global employees and operations in 90 countries, including manufacturing facilities in Belgium, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Italy, San Marino, Singapore, South Africa and the United States. 

Plant-powered plates: Emirates shifts focus for vegan cuisine to meet customers' desire for minimally processed food Emirates now has 488 vegan recipes in rotation across 140 destinations, representing a 60% increase in total recipes from 2024 and showing

 

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, January 21, 2026/ -- As global consumers increasingly focus on nutrition, health and wellbeing with a back-to-basics approach of consuming minimally processed food, this Veganuary Emirates (www.Emirates.com) confirms new concepts are in development to celebrate real, whole, and farm-to-fork plant foods. The current development project sees a team of chefs create dishes that feel authentic, vibrant and rooted in culinary tradition, without replacing typical proteins with engineered plant-based meats and substitutes. The new dishes are set to be onboard for customers in 2027.

Emirates Vice President of Food & Beverage Design, Doxis Bekris, confirms the philosophy;

‘Our focus now is on legumes, grains, nuts, seeds, and seasonal vegetables as the heroes of the plate. These ingredients offer natural depth of flavour, texture, and nutrition without relying on ultra-processed alternatives. Instead of replicating meat, we want to draw from cuisines that have always been plant-forward like Mediterranean mezze, Levantine grain salads, Asian noodle bowls, and African stews such as South African chakalaka, Kenyan sukuma wiki, Ugandan groundnut stew, Tunisian lablabi, Senegalese thieboudienne, Ivorian attiéké with vegetables, Guinean peanut stew, , Egyptian koshari, and Tanzanian mchicha. In our view, this approach feels genuine and culturally rich.

‘Although there are many commendable lab-based alternatives available, real food aligns with our sustainability goals and guest expectations for health-conscious choices. It’s about transparency for our customers who want to know what they’re eating, as well as have confidence that it’s good for them and the planet. We want to shift from substitutes to a celebration of plants, where it’s not about what’s missing - but instead what is gained in authenticity, flavour, and creativity.’

Emirates serves half a million vegan meals each year across Africa and globally

Emirates now has 488 vegan recipes in rotation across 140 destinations, representing a 60% increase in total recipes from 2024 and showing dedication to vegan customers.

Emirates currently serves half a million vegan meals each year. Vegan meal consumption grows in line with passenger volume increases, and last year the top destinations with customers ordering vegan meals were London in first place, followed by Sydney, Bangkok, Melbourne, Frankfurt, Manchester, Mumbai, Bali and Singapore. Emirates attributes some of the demand to non-vegan customers opting for vegan cuisine when flying, as a lighter option often considered easier to digest. Across its African markets, Emirates notes growing demand for vegan meals in South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Tunisia, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, , Egypt and Tanzania, reflecting increased interest in plant-based cuisine across the continent.

Vegan options are available to order and pre-order onboard, as well as in Emirates Lounges. Customers can request vegan meals on all Emirates flights and across all classes of travel up to 24 hours before departure. However, on high-demand routes, plant-based meals are also provided as part of the main menu options.

Emirates’ vegan cuisine in every class

Highlighting its commitment to culinary excellence for all customers, Emirates offers vegan meals across all classes, as well as complementary products like vegan milk. Supporting the farm-to-fork philosophy, Emirates incorporates fresh produce from Bustanica - the world’s largest hydroponic vertical farm. The farm is a joint venture with Emirates Flight Catering that delivers pesticide and chemical-free leafy greens like lettuce, arugula, mixed salad greens, and spinach, directly to Emirates’ catering facilities.

In Economy class, Emirates customers can enjoy dishes like pumpkin frittata with sautéed mushrooms and tomato concassé, or spinach cannelloni served with tomato basil sauce, toasted crumbs and parsley, and desserts like vegan chocolate mousse cake drizzled in chocolate sauce and biscuit crumbs, or carrot cake dashed with coconut cream.

In Premium Economy class, customers choosing vegan cuisine will be served dishes like kimchi fried rice served with roasted pumpkin and sautéed oyster mushrooms, followed by desserts like coconut cake with pineapple compote and pistachios.

In Business class, a range of creatively curated dishes is offered, including braised mushrooms with vegetables in five-spice soy sauce, served with steamed jasmine rice and blanched pak choi. Customers who have room for dessert can feast on coconut panna cotta with raspberry mousse with fresh berries or chocolate tofu cheesecake.

In First class, customers will be treated to elevated vegan cuisine like pumpkin and barley risotto served with rocket, caramelised walnuts, vinaigrette and vegan cheese. Dishes offering a burst of flavours include quinoa salad with grilled aubergine, courgette, sautéed Swiss chard and red pepper coulis. Decadent desserts include strawberry tart with vanilla custard and pistachios, served with berry compote, or a tempting sticky date pudding served with salted caramel sauce, vegan cream cheese, candied pecans and almond butter.

Crafted vegan options in Emirates’ Lounges Dubai

At Dubai International Airport, Emirates has 7 lounges located in its flagship Terminal 3 - 3 for First Class and 3 for Business Class customers, as well as the Emirates’ Lounge catering to all premium customers. The lounges offer a wide array of vegan options, from Baharat and turmeric-spiced kofta in coconut gravy at the buffet area, to an à la carte breakfast of warm amaranth porridge with compressed green apples, red grapes, raspberries and walnuts in the First-Class Lounge, amongst many others. In addition to an array of popular vegan salads, the most in-demand vegan dish in the lounges is the Emirates Green Burger – a soya and flaxseed green burger, with a signature sauce and pickled cucumbers.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Emirates Group.

SOURCE
The Emirates Group