Simon Harvey, Just-Food Journalist Profile

Articles

UK-US trade deal welcomed with enthusiasm but with a touch of apprehension

6 days ago | just-food.com | Simon Harvey

The UK-US trade deal has of course been applauded for opening up access to British and American beef but disappointment has also ensued because the overwhelming majority of food was excluded. Both sides have pledged, however, to continue talks to remove wider tax barriers to trade under the US-UK Economic Prosperity Deal (EPD) enthusiastically announced late yesterday (8 May) by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and tariff-protagonist President Donald Trump.
Beyond Meat treads precarious path as economic uncertainty adds to category woes

1 week ago | finance.yahoo.com | Simon Harvey

One has to wonder how much longer loss-making Beyond Meat can weather the storm of muted demand for plant-based proteins as economic uncertainty in the US now presents yet another headwind. “We saw a slowdown in consumption as the uncertain macroeconomic environment likely exacerbated category challenges,” president and CEO Ethan Brown said yesterday (7 May), a factor sufficient enough for guidance to be scrapped in the first-quarter results announcement.
BellRing Brands looks to inflation-related margin pressure

1 week ago | just-food.com | Simon Harvey

BellRing Brands expects margins to be pressured by inflation in the back half of the year, along with a sales “headwind” from retailer inventory reductions. However, the US-based protein business left sales and EBITDA guidance unchanged for the full year as president and CEO Darcy Davenport presented second-quarter results.
HKFoods flags further beef shortages as cost of strikes yet to be felt

1 week ago | finance.yahoo.com | Simon Harvey

HKFoods has suggested a beef shortage in its home market of Finland is likely to continue, while a recent strike that affect its plants will bring added costs. The warnings emerged as the meat business, previously trading as HKScan, reported results for the first quarter of 2025 this morning (7 May). Beef and pork are one of the largest revenue earners for the listed business, contributing 29% to the company’s 2024 sales of €1bn ($1.1bn).
Hershey seeks “exemption” from cocoa-linked tariffs

1 week ago | just-food.com | Simon Harvey

Chocolate giant Hershey is seeking an “exemption” from US tariffs of cocoa imports, the company’s management has confirmed. Speaking to analysts after Hershey filed its first-quarter results, CFO Steve Voskuil said the Reese’s maker is expecting “incremental tariff expenses” of around $15-20m in its second quarter.
Tyson Foods preps for tariffs as $200m savings eyed

1 week ago | just-food.com | Simon Harvey

Tyson Foods has factored tariff uncertainty and the pressured consumer into its unchanged guidance for the year but also aims to reap $200m in savings from a revamp of its cold storage operations. “Across all segments, we are actively monitoring the evolving macro landscape. And, while we’re not immune, our experience navigating past cycles gives us confidence to respond effectively and proactively scenario plan,” president and CEO Donnie King told analysts yesterday (5 May).
Lactalis “proposes to acquire” Fonterra dairy assets, Australia’s ACCC says

1 week ago | just-food.com | Simon Harvey

Australia’s competition authority has flagged interest by dairy giant Lactalis to acquire Fonterra’s up-for-sale consumer-facing dairy assets. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued an “under consideration” notice today (2 May) relating to the proposal by France-headquartered Lactalis.
Lactalis, Saputo among parties ‘eyeing up Fonterra’s up-for-sale dairy assets’

2 weeks ago | just-food.com | Simon Harvey

Global dairy giants Lactalis and Saputo are reportedly interested in acquiring the consumer-facing assets of Fonterra in New Zealand. Japanese food company Meiji Holdings Co., which has dairy products within its wider portfolio, and US-headquartered investment firm Warburg Pincus are also ‘considering’ bidding for the assets, according to Reuters’ sources.
Grupo Bimbo snaps up Karamolegos Bakery Romania

2 weeks ago | just-food.com | Simon Harvey

Grupo Bimbo has snapped up Karamolegos Bakery Romania in the latest deal by the acquisition-hungry Mexican bakery group. As is often customary with Grupo Bimbo, the purchase was revealed with a brief line in the company’s latest results statement, with none of the finer details provided. Karamolegos Bakery Romania is based in Ilfov, Bucharest, and supplies a range of packaged breads to the retail channel.
Pacific Seafood plans EU expansion as first office lands in Europe

2 weeks ago | just-food.com | Simon Harvey

Pacific Seafood, a US-based fishing to processing and distribution business, has opened its first office in Europe as a “gateway” for EU expansion. The family-owned business, headquartered in Clackamas, Oregon, has established its presence in Hamburg, Germany, with the new office to be led by Stephan Kleemeyer, according to a statement.