General Mills’ spate of new products were crafted with consumers’ snacking habits in mind.

According to a new survey commissioned by Unilever, how consumers perceive a brand’s social or environmental impact may play a role in supporting their purchasing decision.

Zimbabwe Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently opened a state-of-the-art baking centre in Harare operated by Lesaffre Zimbabwe, which was established following the acquisition of the majority stake in Anchor Yeast by the French company in a $14 million deal. “This Baking Centre will play a pivotal role in the development of the baking industry in Zimbabwe and the region through innovation, research and development and provision of appropriate training,” he said. “This will bring about necessary skills transfer, technological development and employment creation as envisaged in Zimbabwe-Asset. Moreover, in addition to Lesaffre Zimbabwe’s current staff complement of 120, trainees from this institution will be easily integrated into the mainstream baking industry or start their own bakeries as entrepreneurs.”

Lesaffre chief executive Mr Antoine Baule said his company was keen to continue investing in Zimbabwe, saying Lesaffre was celebrating opening its first baking centre in Southern Africa. “This baking centre will be part of a network born in France in 1974 and today composed of 38 centres, with more than 300 technicians in bakery technicians present on five continents,” he said. “Lesaffre is in the process of upgrading and expanding the Gweru yeast plant, the main focus being to improve quality and increase exports into the region.”

To read more click here.   

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

To read more click here.

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.

Read more here.   

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.