FrieslandCampina sells Russia unit to German peer Ehrmann

Dutch Dairy Cooperative FrieslandCampina has sold its subsidiary in Russia to German peer Ehrmann.

FrieslandCampina said the deal to sell Campina LLC, struck for an undisclosed sum, would allow the co-op “to focus on consumer markets elsewhere”.

Roel van Neerbos, president of FrieslandCampina’s consumer-facing Food&Beverage division said: “This divestiture is part of FrieslandCampina’s previously-announced strategy to review its position in various markets. Under Ehrmann’s umbrella, our Russian consumer dairy business will be able to further develop and realise its full growth potential.”

Ehrmann is set to acquire a dairy facility in Stupino, as well as the brands Fruttis and Nezhny. The German business will also be the distributor of FrieslandCampina’s Frisco specialized-nutrition products in Russia.

Christian Ehrmann, the CEO OF Ehrmann, said “This acquisition reflects Ehrmann’s strategy of growing its market share in Russia with locally produced, strong brands.”

The deal is subject to the regulatory approval of authorities in Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Belarus. The closing of the transaction is expected by the end of June.

Last week, FrieslandCampina announced an agreement to sell its Nutrefeed animal nutrition business in order to focus on consumer products.

Marfrig Global Foods takes minority stake in Brazilian meat peer BRF

Brazilian meat giant Marfrig Global Foods is to acquire a minority stake in local peer BRF.

Publicity-listed Marfrig announced on Friday (May 21) it had acquired a 24,23% interest in BRF through the purchase of more than 196 million shares, explaining its aims through the transaction are to diversify “investments in a segment that has complementaries with its sector of activity”.

Marfrig, headquartered in Sao Paolo, said it has no plan to elect members to the BRF board nor to “exert influence over the activities” of its Brazilian peer.

BRF, which mainly processes chicken and pork , acknowledged the deal via its own statement at the weekend, adding that Marfrig also has no plan to “promote changes in the control or in the administrative structure “ of the company.

Marfrig and BRF had entered discussions in 2019 over a possible collaboration. However, that never materialized.

At the time, Marfrig said a merger would result in “the creation of a world leader in the protein market with wide geographical and product diversification” and it would reduce risk and “exploit operational and financial synergies due to the balance and complementarità of products, services and geographical diversification”.

Last year, Marfrig and another Brazil-based meat group, Minerva Foods, both denied they had opened merger talks.

Meanwhile, sources for news agency Reuters said the minority deal between Marfrig and BRF amounts to US$800m.

In 2020, Marfrig generated net revenues of BRL 67.84bn (US$12.58bn). BRF posted sales of BRL 39.5bn

Danone CEO search "home in on shortlist"

Danone is reported to be focusing on a shortlist of at least four candidates to succeed Emmanuel Faber as its chief executive.

Reuters, siting an unnamed sourse, said the french giant is considering four to five alternatives for the top job at the Activia maker.

French newspaper Le Monde has claimed Danone is mulling four options: Unilever`s Hanneke Faber, McCain CEO Max Coeune, former L`Oreal executive Nathalie Roos and Antoine de Saint-Affrique, who is set to leave B2B chocolate maker Barry Callebaut.

Approached by just-food, Danone declined to comment.

Last month, Emmanuel Faber stood down as Danone chairman and CEO after criticism among some investors of the company`s performance during his tenure.

World Pork Expo’s Seminars Educate on Latest Pork Insights

DES MOINES, Iowa, May 6, 2021 — Professionals in the pork industry will be the first to have access to the latest production and management strategies at this year’s World Pork Expo. This year’s line-up of PORK Academy and Business Seminars gives producers the opportunity to learn more about topics such as sustainability, data, industry collaborations, nutrition and more.

Visitors can find these seminars, networking opportunities, the world’s largest pork trade show and more at the 2021 World Pork Expo, presented by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), taking place June 9-11 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa.

“These seminars provide a fantastic opportunity for all pork professionals to stay up-to-date on the latest information and insights available,” said NPPC President Jen Sorenson, communications director for Iowa Select Farms in West Des Moines, Iowa. “The Expo is truly a can’t miss event for those who are interested in how they can improve their own operations with the newest technology.”

More than 10 Business Seminars to Choose From

This year’s line-up includes a variety of sessions including multi-part panel discussions and Q&A opportunities. All Business Seminars take place in the Varied Industries Building. Here’s the schedule of events:

Wednesday, June 9:

8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. — The evolution and revolution of the swine tech ecosystem. Driving business and production results with a software platform via connections, collaboration, and analytic insights, sponsored by MetaFarms.
9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. — Learn firsthand how MetaFarms and Industry Affiliates are helping producers get the upper edge through the MetaFarms Production Gateway highlighting our AgView integration with the National Pork Board.
10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. — How to use analytics to control costs, uncover opportunities, and create a successful data culture within your organization — sponsored by MetaFarms.
11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. — Understand how the technology of today and tomorrow has practical uses in production systems. MetaFarms asks some of our forward-thinking customers to share how they are leveraging technology to identify issues using analytics, formulate plans to fix these issues and lastly, determine if their solution was successful.

Cost Effective Strategies for Sustainability in Pork Production: A four-part panel discussion for producers, sponsored by the National Pork Board and IFF Danisco Animal Nutrition.

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. — Understanding Sustainability. What are the Benchmarks for Producers Outlined by the National Pork Board and the USDA? Land use, water consumption, energy consumption, carbon emissions and more; what’s been accomplished and what lies ahead?
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. — Tools for Producers: What You Feed Your Pigs Can Impact Manure Management. Listen as our panelists discuss manure management practices that influence quality, application, environmental footprint and more.
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. — Nutrition and Sustainability: Driving feed strategies to meet environmental stewardship and cost efficiency goals; options to put you in the driver’s seat.
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. — Sustainability: Effectively Communicating Your Story. Science and soundbites for producers.

Big Ideas In Pork: Whether it’s big ideas or innovative thinking you’re looking for at this year’s World Pork Expo, Cargill-Provimi is pleased to bring you topics and experts to tackle the big challenges and the solutions needed to help pork producers, and our communities, thrive.

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. — Rethinking Methane: Animal Agriculture’s Path to Climate Neutrality
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. — Disruption: Technology and the Pork Systems of the Future

Thursday, June 10: Learn the latest about sow health, performance and care presented and sponsored by Zoetis.

10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. — Becoming Vaccinologists: Critical Vaccination Training for Caregivers
1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. — Successful Sow Health Through Individual Sow Care
3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. — Improve Treatment Outcomes With Individual Pig Care Training

And don’t forget this year’s can’t miss PORK Academy events. Included with admission, attendees can participate in 6 free sessions. Presented by the National Pork Board and Pork Checkoff, the PORK Academy seminars give producers a deeper understanding of their checkoff investments.

There’s still time to register to join thousands of pork industry professionals at this summer’s hottest event. Learn more about the 2021 World Pork Expo by visiting our website. All the details including registration, daily event schedules, hotel availability and more are available online.

###

[Save the Date] Healthy Aging Sponsored Intensive

Each month, the SupplySide Sponsored Intensives focus on a specific industry topic, highlighting ingredient suppliers or service providers from the SupplySide community, what makes them unique, the stories behind what they do, and why they’re relevant to your product development goals.

Join us next month to participate in live Q&A's and networking for the May session on Healthy Aging!

Wednesday, May 12, 2021 | 11:30am-1:45pm ET

Overview:
Today’s consumers are not merely interested in addressing the conditions associated with the aging process, they are interested in aging well, maintaining mobility, mental health, eye health. And overall wellbeing.

During this intensive on healthy aging, we’ll provide a forum for discussing strategies for conditions related to the normal aging process and how to support structure, and function, for optimal health and vitality. Learn more about this session here.

[Important!] This Sponsored Intensive webinar will be held within the SupplySide Network 365 platform. Registration for SupplySide Network 365 is simple and free and can be completed through the SupplySide Network 365 registration website.*