Topic “In the News News” — Exporter Magazine

Aero chocolate bars are now being made in the company’s Campbellfield factory in Victoria, to a new formula designed to appeal to Australian tastes. Aero is the latest Nestle chocolate bar to return to Australian production in a strategy the company started about two years ago. More US businesses seek expansion in China to cash in on the expanding domestic market, rather than seeing China as only a processing and export hub, according to Xinhua News. Manufacturers are no longer allowed to produce the two food agents or use them in flour production beginning May 1, 2011. However, flour and related products containing the additives are allowed to be sold until the shelf life of such products expires. Drinks market research specialist estimates that total demand across the soft drinks and beer markets stood at 1055 billion closures in 2010 (including plastic and metal closures, plus ring-pulls). And over the tough economic period of 2008-2010 overall global growth was 2.2%. The PepsiCo-owned company rolled out the eco-crisp bag in April 2009 but was inundated with protests that the polylactic acid (PLA) material was too noisy. In October 22010, the US-based snack-maker succumbed to consumer pressure and reverted to the original non-biodegradable material for five of its six SunChips brand bags. Rates for mid-sized dry bulk carriers on key Asian freight routes are expected to rise in the near future with tight supplies in the supramax market due to strong intra-Asia demand, according to a Reuters report.