In the short term, the major risk to the food and drinks industry is oil and gas – prices have already spiked and are likely to remain volatile while the conflict lasts. Energy-intensive sectors such as bakery and baked goods, bread and biscuits for instance, along with chilled and frozen categories, are likely to be more exposed than others, as they were when the Russia-Ukraine crisis kicked off.If the war ends up being a protracted conflict, fertiliser stocks could be depleted, putting pressure on farmers ...

Group 1 - MK Group has agreed to purchase Serbian edible oils manufacturer Dijamant from Croatia's Fortenova Group, marking Fortenova's exit from the agricultural and edible oil industries [1] - Dijamant is recognized as the leader in the production of edible oils, margarines, vegetable fats, mayonnaise, and related products in Serbia [2] - Fortenova's CEO stated that the sale is part of a portfolio optimization process, focusing on retail, logistics, commercial real estate, and beverages [3] Group 2 - Fortenova has invested over €40 million ($47.6 million) in Dijamant's production facility and has settled all debts prior to 2017 [3] - MK Group aims to leverage its expertise in agriculture and food to enhance Dijamant's processes, quality, and innovation [4][5] - Fortenova has previously divested other food and drink assets, including a cooking oils business and various food processing companies [5][6]

Core Insights - iD Fresh Food has secured investment from funds advised by Apax Partners to accelerate its growth [1][2] - The company, established in 2005, specializes in refrigerated, ready-to-cook Indian food products and has a distribution network across over 50 cities in India and the Gulf states [1][2] Investment Details - The Apax funds will acquire a significant minority stake from existing shareholders Premji Invest and TPG NewQuest, who will continue to invest alongside co-founder and CEO PC Musthafa [2] - The investment is expected to enhance iD Fresh's capacity, product range, and market presence [2] Growth Strategy - iD Fresh Food has reported consistent and profitable growth over the past few years and currently employs nearly 2,400 people [2] - Apax Partners plans to leverage its expertise in consumer-packaged goods to support iD Fresh in expanding distribution, strengthening branding, driving innovation, and optimizing the supply chain through technology and analytics [3]