Shake up in European fruit juice company rankings
A burst of acquisition activity towards the end of 1998 has led to a number of key changes in the rankings of the top 50 European fruit juice companies, according to new research from specialist consultants Zenith International.
"The 1997 league table was dominated by German businesses, filling each of the top four places and nearly half of the top 20," comments Zenith Chairman Richard Hall. "But no single group had a share of more than 7%, so there has been immense pressure for consolidation.
"The biggest event of 1998 was the October sale of leading French producer Vergers d’Alsace by 5th placed Hero to 2nd placed Eckes-Granini. This moves Eckes ahead of German rival Emig to the top of the list," Richard Hall elaborates.
"Three UK companies made substantial purchases during the year. Princes’ acquisition of Waterford Juices in March took it into the top 10, as does Del Monte’s agreement to buy Just Juice in December. Gerber was already ranked 6th in 1997, but will be challenging hard to become 3rd in 1999 after gaining business from Nestlé in May and MD Foods in December.
"Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have also dramatically expanded their fruit juice interests. Coke’s Minute Maid link with Danone has helped double sales in four years to enter the top 10 in 1997. And Pepsi’s combination with Tropicana from August will be pushing for a top 10 position before long," Richard Hall concludes.
The Zenith Top 50 Fruit Juice Companies in Europe profiles 50 national companies and analyses 9 international groups across 16 countries. Contact Zenith International on tel +44 (0)1225 327900, fax +44 (0)1225 327901
Notes for Editors
1. For further information, please contact:
Richard Hall or Jason Holway, Zenith International Ltd
7 Kingsmead Square, Bath BA1 2AB, United Kingdom
Tel +44 (0)1225 327900 Fax +44 (0)1225 327901
"The 1997 league table was dominated by German businesses, filling each of the top four places and nearly half of the top 20," comments Zenith Chairman Richard Hall. "But no single group had a share of more than 7%, so there has been immense pressure for consolidation.
"The biggest event of 1998 was the October sale of leading French producer Vergers d’Alsace by 5th placed Hero to 2nd placed Eckes-Granini. This moves Eckes ahead of German rival Emig to the top of the list," Richard Hall elaborates.
"Three UK companies made substantial purchases during the year. Princes’ acquisition of Waterford Juices in March took it into the top 10, as does Del Monte’s agreement to buy Just Juice in December. Gerber was already ranked 6th in 1997, but will be challenging hard to become 3rd in 1999 after gaining business from Nestlé in May and MD Foods in December.
"Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have also dramatically expanded their fruit juice interests. Coke’s Minute Maid link with Danone has helped double sales in four years to enter the top 10 in 1997. And Pepsi’s combination with Tropicana from August will be pushing for a top 10 position before long," Richard Hall concludes.
The Zenith Top 50 Fruit Juice Companies in Europe profiles 50 national companies and analyses 9 international groups across 16 countries. Contact Zenith International on tel +44 (0)1225 327900, fax +44 (0)1225 327901
Notes for Editors
1. For further information, please contact:
Richard Hall or Jason Holway, Zenith International Ltd
7 Kingsmead Square, Bath BA1 2AB, United Kingdom
Tel +44 (0)1225 327900 Fax +44 (0)1225 327901