Top 100 processors for 2005

Tyson has edged out Kraft as the largest player in the North American food and beverage industry, according to the annual "top 100" ranking provided by Food Processing magazine.

Their ranking reflects the 100 largest value-added food and beverage processors in the US and Canada - the top producers of grocery store-ready packaged food products.

Food Processing magazine stresses that this is simply a list of the biggest processors, and that bigger is not necessarily better.

Tyson increased overall 2004 sales 8 percent, by nearly $1.9 billion, and did so without a major acquisition.

In spite of losing its number one ranking, Kraft still grew its sales by $153 million in 2004.

Other companies such as Dean Foods, Sara Lee and Smithfield Foods also had notable increases. Four companies again had net losses in 2004.

For more information, see the full article at the Food Processing site.

Editor WorldPoultry