European sugar beet yields improved in 2025 as integrated pest management reduced reed glass-winged cicada populations threatening German sugar production. Südzucker reports higher beet yields and sugar content versus 2024, though emergency insecticide approvals remain necessary for 2026. Industrial bakers face reduced supply risk as coordinated control strategies show measurable progress against SBR and Stolbur bacterial diseases.

Spanish producer De Bellota wins Fedima's inaugural €20,000 Sustainability Grant for acorn-based bakery ingredients with low carbon footprint and rural impact.

Ingredient transparency and nutrition have become paramount for many health-conscious consumers, particularly within the plant-based food and beverage industry. Declan Rooney, business development director at ClonBio Foods, outlines barley's potential as an ingredient poised to meet growing demand for healthy protein and fibre in bakery and snacking applications.

Fedima extends application deadline to 15 August 2025 for €20,000 sustainability grant supporting European bakery sector. Grant targets small businesses, craft bakers and research institutes developing sustainable solutions in circular economy, waste reduction and energy efficiency. Applications open to EU, EFTA, UK and Turkey-based organisations with turnover under €10 million.

Barilla's 2024 Sustainability Report reveals €4.9 billion turnover and ambitious 2030 targets including 250,000 tonnes from regenerative agriculture, 24MW renewable energy capacity, and improved nutritional profiles across 21 brands. The Italian food giant has engaged 7,000 farmers in sustainable farming programmes whilst achieving gender pay parity and donating 3,700 tonnes of food to communities.

Cargill implements comprehensive decarbonisation across its global cocoa supply chain, installing solar power in Ghana, biomass boilers using cocoa shells in Côte d'Ivoire, electric barges in Netherlands, and renewable energy systems. The sustainability transformation spans West African origin countries to European processing facilities, targeting 30% emissions reduction by 2030 through circular waste management and clean energy adoption.

RDM Group launches Multiboard® Barrier, a PE-coated cartonboard containing 3-5% plastic for moisture-sensitive industrial baking applications. The recyclable packaging material meets PPWR regulations while maintaining performance standards for frozen foods, powdered goods, and pet food packaging.

COFALEC's new Secretary General Carlotta Trucillo addresses supply chain pressures facing industrial bakers, including molasses price volatility from climate events and rising energy costs. The confederation's Brussels move supports regulatory engagement while members develop clean label solutions reducing salt by 40% and liquid yeast systems cutting packaging waste. Yeast innovation through strain selection supports premium products and sustainability goals.