Nestlé is largely “immune” from the impact of tariffs, the company’s chief executive said, with the world’s largest food producer benefiting from its more localized manufacturing footprint.
Laurent Freixe told reporters while the Lean Cuisine maker is closely watching global trade and tariffs, it benefits from the fact that most of the products sold are manufactured in their respective markets. In the U.S., for example, Nestlé produces about 90% of what it sells domestically.
“We are in a unique, privileged position, which is giving us resilience to significant movements,” Freixe, who took over as CEO last September, told reporters following the release of Nestlé’s fourth-quarter earnings.
Food and beverage makers are closely following the impact that tariffs from the Trump administration could have on their businesses. Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey said earlier this week the beverage maker could switch to more plastic bottles from aluminum cans if input costs for the commodity become too expensive.
For Nestlé, the Switzerland-based company has “lots of mechanics to mitigate any tariff that we do see come through, be it pricing, be it changing our sourcing,.” according to CFO Anna Manz.
She noted Nestlé’s guidance for 2025 does not factor in any impact from tariffs. While it’s hard to predict what is going to happen with trade policy, Manz warned any new duties could “charge the inflationary environment relatively quickly.”
Tariffs would raise costs at a time when CPG companies already feel pressure from a prolonged period of inflation. Businesses have raised prices to boost sales and offset higher expenses, but those moves have forced consumers to cut back on how much they buy or switch to private label or more innovative brands. READ MORE
by Christopher Doering
Source: fooddive.com
Pernod Ricard is reportedly exploring the sale of its champagne brand, GH Mumm, as it looks to shift its focus towards premium products in its portfolio, according to Reuters. The company has enlisted investment bank Rothschild & Co to assist with the potential divestiture, which could attract interest from other spirits and beverage companies.
Kennerley, who is currently the senior vice president and CFO for PepsiCo Europe, will join Kroger on 10 March in his new role. Meanwhile, Foley will continue as interim CFO through the end of Kroger’s fiscal year 2024 reporting cycle and remain a senior vice president, providing support during the transition until the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2025.
“Animal fat, butter, parmesan cheese, egg yolks, raw steak, and a few berries — these are the signifiers of ‘MAHA’ (Make America Healthy Again). Google Trends shows a big spike in interest in the ‘carnivore diet’ in just the last month, corresponding with Trump’s victory, would be my guess.”
