DANONE BROADENS BEVERAGE PLATFORM

Danone has spent the past decade or two narrowing its beverage portfolio. Beer and energy drinks were both divested to concentrate on water. Its water brands have stretched into fruit and tea flavours, but there didn't seem to be a thirst for more. Until now. So the new joint venture with Chiquita is significant. It revolves around fruit juice smoothies, but could be widened to other fruit drinks. It starts with 20 million euros of sales and a brand presence in 12 countries. Danone has a 51 per cent share. This is one to watch.