July 4, 2025

Please see below for a listing of what the North Point Food & Beverage Team has been tracking this week. We hope that you find the content insightful and a nice way to summarize the most noteworthy Food & Beverage events of the week.

Have a nice holiday weekend!

Glen Clarke

Head of Food & Beverage

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Sofina Foods acquires Finnebrogue.

• Finnebrogue continues ambitious growth plan by joining Sofina Foods Europe. Finnebrogue has today become part of Sofina Foods, one of Europe and Canada’s leading food companies, with more than 13,000 employees across over 40 sites. This marks an important milestone in Finnebrogue’s growth.

Source: Mergermarket

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Final bidders named in Carambar & Co sale process - report (translated).

• Fedesa, Valeo Foods, and Foster Clark have emerged as the final contenders to acquire the majority stake held by investment firm Eurazeo in Carambar & Co, a France-headquartered holding company for confectionery and chocolate brands, according to l'Informe.

Source: Mergermarket

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Dcoop considers full takeover of Pompeian - report (translated).

• Spanish agri-food group Dcoop is considering a full acquisition of US olive oil producer Pompeian, Diario Córdoba reported, without identifying sources.

Source: Mergermarket

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Peter Pan assets sold to co-owner in court-approved deal.

• A Washington court has approved the sale of nearly all remaining assets of Peter Pan Seafood Company to co-owner Rodger May, according to a report in Intrafish on 28 June.

Source: Megamarket

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Marubeni acquires Bubbies Homemade Ice Cream & Desserts.

• Marubeni Corporation has acquired 100% of the shares of Bubbies Homemade Ice Cream & Desserts Inc., an ice cream manufacturing company based in Arizona in the United States, to thereby make Bubbies a wholly-owned Marubeni Group subsidiary, and mark Marubeni’s entry to the ice cream manufacturing business in the United States.

Source: Mergermarket

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Eggoz raises USD 20m in round anchored by Gaja Capital – report.

• Eggoz, an Indian egg brand, has raised USD 20m in a fresh round of funding, The Economic Times reported, citing sources with knowledge of the matter.

Source: Mergermarket

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Del Monte Foods files Chapter 11, seeks buyer.

• Packaged food company Del Monte Foods Corporation, Walnut Creek, CA, began Chapter 11 proceedings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey.

Source: Produce Bluebook

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Giorgi Mushroom acquires spawn company.

• Giorgi Mushroom Co., a subsidiary of The Giorgi Companies, Inc., a leader in the mushroom industry, is pleased to announce its acquisition of majority equity ownership in L.F. Lambert Spawn Co., a company renowned for its decades-long expertise in spawn production and agricultural innovation.

Source: Produce Bluebook 

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Valeo Foods acquires Melegatti 1894.

• Valeo Foods Group, one of Europe’s leading producers of quality sweets, treats and snacks, has successfully acquired the assets of an Italian panettone, pandoro and croissant producer, Melegatti 1894 S.p.A.

Source: Mergermarket

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Wolfgang Confectioners acquires The Warrell Corporation.

• Wolfgang Confectioners, a York, Pennsylvania-based confectionery and snack manufacturer, has acquired The Warrell Corporation, a Camp Hill, Pennsylvania-based confectionery manufacturer.

Source: Mergermarket

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June's Top 10 stories.

• Major headlines included an ICE raid at an Omaha meat plant, marking Nebraska's largest under the current administration, and Johnsonville’s closure of its Illinois facility, resulting in 274 layoffs.
• Hormel Foods sued Johnsonville and former employees for allegedly leaking trade secrets, while Tyson Foods announced a $23.5 million investment to expand its Kentucky plant.
• Walmart opened a new 300,000-square-foot beef facility in Kansas, and Cargill acquired full ownership of its long-time Australian beef joint venture with Teys.

Source: Meat + Poultry

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Fourth of July cookout cost remains near record high.

• The 2025 Fourth of July cookout will cost an average of $70.92 for 10 people, making it the second-highest total since the American Farm Bureau Federation began tracking, largely due to persistent inflation and supply constraints.
• Price increases were noted for ground beef, potato salad, and canned pork and beans, while pork chops, chips, and hamburger buns saw slight declines due to higher supply and lower input costs like wheat and potatoes.
• The AFBF emphasized the need for a modernized five-year farm bill to support U.S. farmers amid rising production costs, noting that farmers receive only 15% of the retail food dollar.

Source: Meat + Poultry

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At home with pork.

• Consumer interest in pork is rising, especially for convenient, value-added products like marinated cuts, ground pork, and seasoned loin filets, driven by flavor, versatility, and the desire to recreate restaurant-quality meals at home.
• Brands like Prairie Fresh and Tyson Foods are responding with bold new packaging, digital recipe hubs, and marketing strategies focused on ease, inspiration, and cross-merchandising to boost at-home pork consumption.
• U.S. pork exports to China could benefit from a temporary tariff reduction agreement, dropping from 172% to 57%, though trade barriers remain a challenge for maximizing access to that critical market.

Source: Meat + Poultry

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Top food and beverage events still to come in 2025.

• The second half of 2025 features major industry events, including IFT First (July), Newtopia Now (August), and the Americas Food and Beverage Show (September), offering insights on ingredients, health trends, and retail innovation.
• Key fall events include the Global Produce & Floral Show, NFRA Convention, and the American Food Manufacturing Summit, drawing thousands of executives to discuss trends in frozen foods, supply chains, plant-based innovation, and consumer behavior.
• The newly renamed EATS (formerly Process Expo) in October will spotlight full-scale food production technology, while Plant Based World Expo North America in December will explore the evolving market for meat and dairy alternatives.

Source: Food Dive

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U.S. annual yogurt sales close in on $12B figure.

• U.S. annual yogurt sales are approaching $12 billion, with the cultured dairy segment growing at an impressive 11% annual rate, fueled by health trends and social media influence.
• Cottage cheese sales reached $1.75 billion in the latest 52-week period ending February 23, marking an 18% year-over-year increase, while cream cheese and sour cream sales also remain strong.
• The surge in cultured dairy popularity reflects consumer demand for high-protein, functional foods, as well as greater product innovation across the category.

Source: Dairy Foods

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Following food safety reforms.

• The USDA and FDA implemented significant staffing cuts and policy restructuring in line with the Trump administration’s government efficiency agenda, including the withdrawal of the proposed Salmonella Framework for raw poultry.
• A $1 billion USDA plan was introduced to combat highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), focusing on enhanced biosecurity measures and financial support for affected producers.
• The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission identified ultra-processed foods and chemical exposure as primary contributors to rising childhood chronic illnesses, sparking mixed reactions from the food and agriculture sectors.

Source: Meat + Poultry

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JM Smucker plans tariff-driven price hike for coffee.

• J.M. Smucker plans its fourth coffee price increase since June 2024 due to U.S. tariffs on imported green coffee beans from Brazil and Vietnam, which have added to already record-high commodity costs.
• The company, which sources about 500 million pounds of coffee annually, is also facing cost pressures from retaliatory tariffs, co-manufactured products abroad, and capital equipment imported for U.S. plants.
• Smucker said it is mitigating these challenges through supply chain optimization, alternative sourcing, and strategic pricing, while warning that elevated price sensitivity among consumers could persist into 2026.

Source: Food Dive

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USDA updates HPAI strategy.

• The USDA’s updated HPAI strategy led to a 64% drop in wholesale egg prices and over 900 biosecurity assessments across 25 states, targeting broiler, layer, and turkey farms.
• The agency has committed more than $70 million in indemnity payments since February and may provide up to $400 million to help affected producers depopulate and repopulate flocks.
• A USDA research and vaccine funding program received 417 applications requesting $793 million, with awards expected to support future HPAI prevention and therapeutic development.

Source: Meat + Poultry

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Global poultry market strong in 2025 while tariffs, HPAI fuel uncertainty for future.

• The global poultry market has remained strong in early 2025 due to high protein prices and lower feed costs, but future performance is clouded by HPAI outbreaks and trade-related uncertainties.
• US import tariff decisions and potential escalation of the Israel-Iran conflict could significantly impact global poultry trade dynamics, particularly in the Middle East—a key import region.
• The May bird flu outbreak in Brazil led to export bans from major importers, further tightening the supply of hatching eggs and affecting countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.

Source: Meat + Poultry 

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Inside Mondelēz’s snacking investment playbook.

• Mondelēz has shifted SnackFutures to focus primarily on venture investments, phasing out internal brand development to prioritize strategic stakes in startups aligned with its snacking categories or offering enabling technologies like AI or sustainable packaging.
• The company targets Series A and B startups in snacks, chocolate, biscuits, and adjacent categories, as well as tech companies that can enhance operations, marketing, and supply chains, with a goal of long-term strategic growth rather than purely financial returns.
• Despite a challenging venture capital environment, Mondelēz remains actively engaged in deal-making, viewing the current economic conditions as an opportunity to selectively invest in distressed but promising startups that align with its innovation roadmap.

Source: Food Dive

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Hershey joins food makers in commitment to remove artitficial dyes.

• Hershey announced it will remove artificial dyes from its snacks by the end of 2027, joining companies like Conagra, General Mills, and Kraft Heinz in response to growing regulatory pressure and consumer demand.
• The move follows calls from HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for voluntary removal of six synthetic dyes and comes amid state-level actions, including bans and labeling requirements in West Virginia and Texas.
• Hershey cited concern over a “patchwork” of state laws, urging for a strong national ingredient approval system to maintain food safety, affordability, and consumer trust.

Source: Food Dive

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Ramen maker Nissin launches frozen food brand for health-conscious consumers.

• Nissin Foods launched Kanzen Meal, its first U.S. frozen meal brand targeting health-conscious consumers, including those using GLP-1 weight loss drugs, with nutrient-dense, single-serve options.
• Each Kanzen Meal dish delivers up to 23g of protein, 10g of fiber, and one-third of daily essential vitamins and minerals, addressing appetite suppression and nutritional needs in smaller portions.
• The meals, developed with Michelin star chefs, will debut regionally in the West and Southeast U.S. in 2025, with national expansion planned for 2026.

Source: Food Dive

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Leftovers: Crystal Farms launches dill pickle shredded cheese | Peroni puts Italian Ice on tap.

• Crystal Farms (Post Holdings) debuted Dill Pickle flavored shredded cheese, tapping into consumer demand for bold, recipe-ready flavors and the ongoing social media-fueled pickle trend.
• Peroni and chef Giada De Laurentiis launched Peroni Italian Beer Ice, a 5% ABV lemon Italian ice, adding to the growing crossover between alcoholic beverages and frozen treats.
• Mondelēz is bringing back Blueberry Pie Oreos for a limited time starting July 7, responding to fan demand and capitalizing on consumer preference for berry-flavored seasonal snacks.

Source: Food Dive

JUST FOR FUN

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Nathan’s Famous welcomes back Joey Chestnut to hot dog eating competition – Meat + Poultry

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