Page 32 - IB November 2023

Food Processing

TRENDS IN FOOD AND BEVERAGE

MANUFACTURING

A GLOBAL VIEW

Consumer concerns over cost, health and environmental
sustainability are driving innovation in the global food and
beverage manufacturing sector.
Supply chains are being influenced by shortages of raw
materials, and changes in the way people are shopping,
specifically e-commerce. At scale, this requires automation
along the supply chain, more efficient distribution centres and
changes to the transport industry.
Large-scale producers are also changing their energy mix,
with Mars Wrigley recently opening its first 100% renewable
energy ice cream factory in France, which it says will save up
to 600 tonnes of CO2 a year.
Executives from CRB, an American firm which provides
engineering, architecture and construction solutions to the
industry, say this is reflected in new processes and product PNG’s Paradise Foods interns
development.
Vice President (Food and Beverage) at CRB, Jason
Robertson, and Product Innovation Fellow, Tony Moses, say
for example, production of alternative proteins (cell-based or offshore recruitment. We are focusing on ongoing training and
plant-based products) is scaling up. highlighting career path opportunities.”
Low-temperature pasteurisation (high-pressure processing Papua New Guinea’s Paradise Foods, which celebrates its
or HPP) “is gaining traction among food producers for more 90th anniversary this year, says it is committed to enhancing
natural applications, such as naked juice [and] ice cream,” local talent development.
they write. HPP kills any bacterial contamination that may “Paradise Foods will continue to participate in programs
have been picked up during processing although it does come that bring in students to complete internships with the
with challenges, “including the equipment expense, the need Company as part of building local talent, improving our
for packaging that can withstand intense pressure and… employment brand and maintaining a healthy talent
products may need to be refrigerated.” pipeline,” the company states.
Meanwhile, the proliferation of products such as kefir, Labour constraints are also seeing plants increasingly
kombucha and dairy free yoghurts that provide for improved automate processes, to improve efficiency and flexibility of
digestive or ‘gut’ health, are a reaction to consumer demand production and supply chain management.
for more health-conscious options. Pacific responses to this Paradise Foods has installed a new biscuit oven in its
trend include the success of Juice Fiji’s range of prepackaged Lae plant, has invested in a new distribution centre in the
juices. same city, and plans significant upgrades to its Queen Emma
The demand for sustainability is also demonstrated in Chocolate Factory in Port Moresby to improve and increase
packaging, with companies like Nestle and KraftHeinz output to target international markets with cocoa mass, cocoa
committed to using only recyclable, reusable or compostable butter, cocoa powder, and finished chocolate. The Nambawan
packaging by 2025. Anchor has developed a two-litre milk Super fund has increased its investment in Paradise Foods to
bottle made from sustainably-sourced sugar cane; perhaps an 100%, providing capital for plant investment.
opportunity for Fiji’s struggling sugar industry. In Lae, PNG, Goodman Fielder is building what is expected
On the factory floor, global labour shortages are causing to be the region’s largest flour mill. Wilmar International,
some concern. which owns and operates Goodman Fielder, recently agreed
FMF Foods, which is listed on the South Pacific Stock to an MOU with the PNG government which will be signed this
Exchange, noted the local implications of this in its recently- year.
released annual report, with Chair, Jenny Seeto writing: Agriculture Minister Richard Maru said Wilmar was
“The already challenging labour environment was further interested in partnering with the government as an equity
exacerbated by the Seasonal Worker Programs and short-term partner to invest in rice, chicken, oil, palm, sugar and feed
work contracts offered by Australia and New Zealand which production and processing in PNG, and that this would
resulted in loss of skilled staff. The Group acted to further “increase exports, reduce the cost of food in PNG, and drive
strengthen our team by focusing on improving retention and the downstream processing agenda of goverment.”

32 Islands Business, November 2023