Over the past year, the 100 largest global food and beverage companies brought in combined revenues of $61 billion, with an average of approximately $689 million per company. The growth comes despite smaller volumes, increased regulations, higher consumer expectations and uncertain economic conditions.

Anheuser-Busch InBev, which ranked third on the top 100 companies list, recorded the fastest sales growth over the past year, adding $10.92 billion in sales to reach a total of $56.44 billion, with its acquisition of SABMiller helping boost the company’s revenue growth. Nestle topped the list with $91.62 billion in sales over the past 12 months, even with an $817 million decline in revenues. The company was affected by subpar sales developments near the end of 2017, which contributed to the loss of revenue, as well as a problematic trading situation with Brazil and the US. PepsiCo., which had sales of $63.53 billion, ranked second on the top 100 list. The company recently introduced  more nutritious products to transform its portfolio.

Coca Cola, in sixth place, had the sharpest decline in revenues, which dropped 15.4% to $35.41 billion. Debates around the health effects of sugar, falling sales of carbonated soft drinks, and taxes implemented on sugar-sweetened drinks in countries like Ireland, South Africa and the UK contributed to the company’s sales losses. Conagra Brands also reported a revenue decline, losing over $3.8 billion  in sales and falling 20 places on the top 100 list to rank 50^th. This was largely due to the spinout of Lamb Weston, occurring in the middle of the financial year, which, as a separate company, reported more than $3.17 billion in sales. The sale of Spicetec and JM Swank also negatively affected Conagra, as turnover in the company’s Commercial Foods unit dramatically dropped from $4.4 billion in 2015–16 to $71 million in 2016–17. Conagra will likely be ranked higher next year, as it plans to acquire Pinnacle Foods, for which it will pay $10.9 billion, boosting revenues to approximately $11 billion.

Source: Food Engineering