Bacardi: in high spirits over 42 Below purchase

The news that Bacardi is set to acquire 42 Below, a leading New Zealand-based spirits company, will add another global brand to the liquor firm's burgeoning premium offerings, and further exemplifies the growing appeal of distinctive, upscale beverages in both the US and abroad.

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Cadbury: job cuts bitter the taste of sweet sales growth

Despite reporting strong sales growth, Cadbury has announced that it is to cut 580 jobs, 250 of which will be in the UK as part of a company restructure, with the remaining 330 in Australia and New Zealand. The UK confectioner appears to be taking this hard line action in order to prevent the impending global recession from harming its profitability while keeping speculative competitors at bay.

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Danone: Frucor sold to Suntory

Suntory has agreed to buy Frucor from Danone for a price reported to be over E600 million. Danone suffered a drop in share price despite increasing sales in the third quarter of 2008, and while the functional drinks sector in which Frucor operates has shown strong growth in recent years, it is now slowing and Danone is looking to focus on its core brands while reducing its overall level of debt.

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DB: a warning to brewers worldwide

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Fairtrade: gathering pace in Australia and New Zealand

Fairtrade Australia & New Zealand has reported a significant growth in retail sales of Fairtrade-certified products in 2010, compared to 2009. A combined effort from consumers, manufacturers, and retailers alike is elevating the profile and adoption of the Fairtrade concept in this region, and the trend is set to continue in the coming years as Fairtrade gathers mainstream appeal.

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Fonterra: full spread ahead

Fonterra has agreed to acquire a range of New Zealand Dairy Food Holdings' (NZDF) assets. This is the latest in a line of purchases that have made Fonterra the world's biggest dairy exporter, and suggests that the co-operative group has hardly been distracted by its failure to snare National Foods earlier this year.

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Fonterra: the winning high-protein component

Fonterra's newly-unveiled dairy protein ingredients will appeal to a variety of customers. Though the vast majority of crispy proteins are currently used in energy bars, the new product's lack of flavor, nutritional benefit and functionality make it suitable for inclusion in a wider range of products.

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Frucor/Danone: a V good deal

The waiting is over for Danone, which has finally got its hands on the company responsible for the popular V energy drink. The French firm has also paid much less for the company than many originally expected. It should now be able to take Frucor's portfolio of juices, bottled water and energy drinks into potentially lucrative Asian markets.

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Frucor/Danone: cheap tricks

Investors and management seem to think Frucor is worth more than Danone's $121 million offer, but there's no sign of another bidder and Danone looks unwilling to pay more. Frucor has been successful, and would be a strong addition to Danone's portfolio. However, the company may have trouble funding its expansion if it lets the French offer fall through.

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Frucor: holding out for a hero

Danone, the dairy and biscuits giant that also happens to be the world's biggest water bottler, could be rebuffed in its attempts to buy New Zealand's Frucor. One factor behind this coolness towards the bid is the low level of the offer. However, Frucor may also be keener to join forces with a company whose strengths are closer to its own development goals.

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