Top ten best read articles in January 2025

January has come to an end, and the tone for 2025 is set. Innovation, challenges, and strategic decisions took center stage in the food industry. Here are the 10 most-read articles of January.

1. The Future of food: trends and innovations in 2025

27 January - We all know that food does far more than simply nourish us. It has a profound impact across various domains. How will the ways we produce, distribute, and consume food shape the future of our planet? You’ll find the answers in the Dutch 300+ page book, The Future of Food 2025.

2. Managing labor migration: challenges for food companies

8 January - After extreme price increases, calm seems to have returned to the food sector, but growth remains elusive. The sector is grappling with reduced demand, erratic raw material supplies, and labor shortages. These structural issues significantly affect its growth potential.

3. Government accelerates transition to biobased economy

6 January - Biobased materials play a crucial role in the transition to a climate-neutral and circular economy. The Dutch government has therefore set a course to phase out low-value applications of biobased materials and promote high-value uses. This policy aligns with stricter European regulations and the goals set for 2050.

4. What's cooking? aims to acquire Sveltic in France

9 January - What's Cooking? has announced its intention to acquire 100% of the shares of Sveltic. Sveltic, part of the Mousquetaires group (which owns retail chains Intermarché and Netto), operates a production facility near Rennes, France.

5. 8 trends shaping the protein transition

13 January - The protein transition is gaining direction with eight trends that will define the future of food between 2025 and 2030. Foodvalley presents these trends as a guide for businesses to address shifting consumer demands and sustainability goals.

6. Danish Crown ends fresh meat production in Germany

8 January - Following Vion Food Group’s earlier announcement of its departure from the German market, Danish Crown has now made a similar decision. The Danish meat producer will cease production of fresh packaged meat for the German market.

7. Redefine Meat encourages eating more meat

7 January - Tens of thousands of people in the Netherlands, along with 25 million participants worldwide, are taking part in Veganuary this month. During this campaign, participants aim to minimize their consumption of animal products. In the Netherlands, Redefine Meat is partnering with restaurant chains, caterers, and online platforms to host special activities supporting the initiative.

8. Sustainability a top priority for 75% of food producers

2 January - The food industry is undergoing a significant transformation. Sustainability is no longer optional but has become the main focus within supply chains, according to the report The Future of Sustainable Food Supply Chains: Spotlight on Europe’s Food and Beverage Industry by DNV. A striking 75% of companies in the sector rank sustainability among their top three strategic goals, ahead of cost reduction (63%) and regulatory compliance (49%).

9. PPWR: What’s changing for the food sector?

23 January - The new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which was officially published on January 22, sets strict requirements for packaging and packaging waste. The aim is to achieve a more sustainable economy. For the food industry, this means significant changes in the design, production, and recycling of packaging.

10. Uitgekookt expands with acquisi­tion of Étumé

27 January - Uitgekookt has completed the acquisition of Étumé, a move that aligns with the company’s growth strategy. With this acquisition, Uitgekookt is expanding its operations in the Nijmegen region and taking an important step toward national scaling.