The world’s biggest food companies in 2018

Cargill – $109.7bn

Cargill reported a 2% year-on-year increase in 2017 revenue, which was driven by sales of grains, oilseeds and metals.

The company adopted a wide range of strategies to drive financial performance during the year, including $1bn in acquisitions, joint ventures (JV) and new facilities, as well as $700m in divestments of non-strategic assets.

The animal nutrition and protein division was the biggest contributor to the company’s operating revenues in 2017. Its North American business accounted for 36% of the company’s sales and revenues.

Based in the US, Cargill is involved in the provision of agricultural, food, industrial and financial products and services. The company’s business divisions include animal nutrition and protein, food ingredients and applications, origination and processing, and industrial and financial services.

Nestle – $91.96bn

Nestle’s revenues grew marginally by 0.4% in 2017 with divestments resulting in a 1.9% decrease in sales. The Americas region accounted for the majority of its revenues, at $41.7bn.

The company made a number of acquisitions in the year to strengthen its position in some of its fast-growing categories, including a majority interest in coffee roaster Blue Bottle Coffee and a 100% stake in Chameleon Cold Brew.

Nestle also acquired frozen meals company Sweet Earth, online meal delivery platform Freshly, and nutritional health products provider Atrium Innovations.

Based in Switzerland, Nestle is a food and beverage company operating in 189 countries worldwide. The company’s product portfolio is divided into powdered and liquid beverages, nutrition and health science, milk products, and ice cream, as well as pet care, cooking aids, confectionery and water.

PepsiCo – $63.52bn

PepsiCo achieved a year-on-year revenue growth of 1% in 2017. The food division accounted for 53% of its net revenues, while US region accounted for 58% of its net revenues.

PepsiCo plans to focus more on healthy and nutritious products in the future. The company is undertaking a restructuring of its product portfolio to include more ‘Better for You’ and ‘Good for You’ products. PepsiCo has already reduced added sugar, saturated fat, sodium and other preservatives from its food and beverage portfolio.

PepsiCo is a food and beverage company that manages a total of 22 brands, which are sold in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.

Archer Daniels Midland Company – $60.82bn

Archer Daniels Midland Company’s (ADM) revenues declined by 2.4% in 2017 due to lower sales volume. This decrease was due to a fall in the volumes of unprocessed commodities, including soybeans, corn, rapeseed and wheat.

ADM made several key acquisitions during the year, including US-based pet treats and food products producer Crosswind Industries and France-based sweeteners and starches producer Chamtor.

The company also acquired an 89% interest in Spain-based probiotics manufacturer Biopolis and a 51% interest in Israeli agricultural feed products company Industries Centers.

Based in the US, ADM is a food processing company involved in the production of food and beverage ingredients, ranging from soy meal, oilseeds, corn and wheat to other agricultural commodities.

The company’s business divisions are agricultural services, corn processing, oilseeds processing, and wild flavours and speciality ingredients.

Sysco Corporation – $55.37bn

Sysco Corporation posted a 9.9% year-on-year revenue growth in 2017. The US foodservice operations accounted for 67.9% of the company’s total sales.

Sysco completed an acquisition of Brakes Group for $3.1bn at the beginning of 2017, which is expected to strengthen its position in the European market.

Based in the US, Sysco is a marketer and distributor of food and non-food products to restaurants, hospitals and educational facilities, as well as hotels, restaurants and industrial caterers. Sysco operates a global network of foodservice companies, while its Sygma division supplies non-food products.

JBS – $49.23bn

JBS’ revenues declined by 4.2% in 2017 to $49.23bn compared with $51.41bn in 2016. Sales from exports to regions such as Greater China, Africa and the Middle East generated the highest revenues of $13.8bn.

JBS altered its operational structure in 2017 by divesting non-core assets, including its beef operations in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay for $300m. The company also divested Ireland-based poultry producer Moy Park for $1.3bn and its Five Rivers Cattle Feeding feedlot operation in the US for $200m.

Based in Brazil, JBS is involved in the processing of animal protein such as beef, pork, lamb and poultry. The company’s operations are divided into JBS South America and JBS North America, and include more than 400 production facilities located in 15 countries.

Bunge – $45.79bn

Bunge posted a year-on-year revenue growth of 7.3% in 2017. Its agribusiness segment accounted for the majority of its revenue.

Bunge restructured its business to sell non-strategic and non-performing assets. The company exited from the global sugar trading business and feed business in China and also announced the financial separation of its sugarcane milling business and sale of its 49.9% interest in SB Renewable Oils JV to Corbion.

Based in the US, Bunge is a food processing company that operates through its agribusiness, food and ingredients, and sugar and bioenergy segments.

George Weston – $38.46bn

George Weston’s revenues increased marginally by 0.6% in 2017. However, its sales declined in the Weston Foods division, which had a negative impact of 0.1% on the company’s revenues.

Strong performance of the Loblaw Companies division had a positive impact on the George Weston’s revenues. Loblaw Companies announced the restructuring of its business in 2017, including the closure of 22 unprofitable retail locations and the sale of its gas bar operations for $540m.

George Weston is a Canadian company involved in the processing and distribution of food products. The company’s Weston Foods and Loblaw Companies segments provide baked goods and grocery, pharmacy, apparel and banking services.

Tyson Foods – $38.26bn

Tyson Foods achieved a year-on-year revenue growth of 3.7% in 2017. The beef and pork segments of the company accounted for the majority of the revenues due to favourable market conditions.

The company closed the acquisition of proteins and sandwich products producer and distributor AdvancePierre^® Foods in July 2017. The acquisition is expected to strengthen Tyson’s protein product portfolio.

Tyson also announced plans to divest two of its non-core assets, including Sara Lee^® Frozen Bakery and Kettle and Van’s^® in 2017.

Based in the US, Tyson Foods is a processor and supplier of protein products marketed under multiple brand names such as Tyson^®, Jimmy Dean^®, Ball Park^® and Wright Brand^®. The company’s business divisions include beef, pork, chicken and prepared foods.

Mars – $35bn

Mars launched a global health and well-being initiative in 2017 aimed at promoting healthier food choices. It was also ranked fifth in the 2017 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For^® list.

Mars announced strategic acquisitions in 2017, including Preferred Brands International (PBI) in August 2017, which will add its Tasty Bite^® brand to the Mars’ product portfolio.

Announced in January 2017, Mars also acquired VCA for $1.9bn. VCA is a pet healthcare services provider and will join Mars’ petcare division.

Mars manufactures and distributes food products. Its business divisions include petcare, chocolate, food, drinks, Wrigley and Symbioscience.

Some Mars’ brands include M&M’s^™, Snickers^™, Twix^™, Milky Way^™, Dove^™, Pedigree^™, Royal Canin^™, Whiskas^™, Extra^™, Orbit^™, 5^™, Skittles^™, Uncle Ben’s^™, Mars Drinks and Cocoavia^™.