The European Commission on Feb. 7 approved Bunge’s acquisition of two Cargill oilseed processing facilities – an oilseed crushing and seed oil refining facility located in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and an oilseed crushing and storage facility located in Brest, France
More than 30 Kiwi bakeries took part in a hot cross bun contest, run by the Baking Industry Association of NZ and judged by a panel of experts. Entries were judged in categories including technical ability, presentation, innovation and placement of the cross on top of the bun.
Anne and Tongmin Li, owners of Hillpark Bakery in Manurewa, earned first place in this year’s Great New Zealand Hot Cross Bun Competition, winning prizes including a trophy, a pallet of Farmers Mill flour, display certificate, 1000 award stickers for his products and a $1000 advertising package. Second place went to Hastings City New World and third place to U-Bake in Timaru.
Hillpark Bakery owner Tongmin Li, left, shows off his award-winning hot cross buns with Baking Industry Association of NZ president Kevin Gilbert.
The Willowton Group confirmed that its offices, as well as several other competitors and suppliers, were investigated by the Competition Commission on 8 December 2016. The investigation is as a result of the Competition Commission investigation into a recent merger within the industry as well as another impending merger.
These mergers and impending merger are between suppliers and competitors of Willowton Group. During the commission’s investigations into these mergers, the Willowton Group as a competitor and customer, fully responded to the commission’s investigations into these mergers.
“We have complied with all requests of the investigators and are extending our assistance in finalising their investigation. The Willowton Group is fully committed to sound corporate governance as well as fully complying with all laws and regulations of the countries within which we operate in,” the company, which in recent months has extended its manufacturing operations into both Zimbabwe and Zambia, said in a statement.
“There have been previous investigations into the company’s activities and again we had fully complied with these investigations, where there was no evidence found of any wrong doing on the part of the company. Allegations of price collusion and cartel activities among suppliers and competitors in the edible oil market have been made by the commission and these allegations again are refuted by the company.”
In September 2015, SASKO successfully launched its Siyasizana Daycare Project to assist local daycares in receiving much-needed items for their crèches’.
Record grains output forecasted
The International Grains Council (IGC) has raised its forecast for total grains production to 2.102 billion tonnes, up from 2.094 billion tonnes in January, and up from 2.006 billion in 2015-16. If realized, it would be the first time output has exceeded 2.1 billion tonnes. Total consumption was raised to 2.069 billion tonnes from 2.062 billion tonnes.
The IGC forecast world wheat production in 2016-17 at 752 million tonnes, unchanged from January and compared with the record outturn of 737 million tonnes in 2015-16. World wheat ending stocks were forecast at a record 236 million tonnes, up from 235 million tonnes in January and up 15 million tonnes from 221 million tonnes in 2015-16.
The IGC forecast 2016-17 maize production at 1.049 billion tonnes, up from 1.045 billion tonnes in January and compared with 973 million tonnes in 2015-16. The consumption projection was raised to 1.035 billion tonnes from 1.028 billion tonnes in January.
Campden BRI Trains the Bakery Industry Professionals in 2017
British specialist Campden BRI prepares a series of training sessions dedicated to the baking industry this year.