Campos-led food and beverage conglomerate Del Monte Pacific Ltd (DMPL) in the Philippines has sold its US vegetable business under Arkansas-based Sager Creek Vegetable Co for $55 million, citing the need to focus on its core businesses.

DMPL’s US subsidiary Del Monte Foods Inc (DMFI) entered into an agreement to sell Sager Creek to McCall Farms Inc, a family-owned business that manufactures brands such as Bruce’s Yams, Margaret Holmes and Glory Foods.

“This divesture allows us to focus our energy and resources on strengthening our core business, driving innovation, and exploring new products that meet the evolving needs of today’s consumer,” DMFI chief operating officer David Meyers said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange yesterday.

Sager Creek produces specialty vegetables for the food service and retail markets and manufactures several brands, including Veg-all, Freshlike, Popeye, Princella, Trappey’s and Allens. – Philippine Daily Inquirer

Malaysia Airlines confirms 25 Boeing 737 orders

Malaysia Airlines reiterated that it has a firm order of 25 Boeing 737 aircraft with further decision to purchase additional aircraft which best suits its operational environment.

The national carrier said it would continue to carefully evaluate all options available to ensure the purchases make both business and operational sense.

“This is necessary and in line with ongoing prudent fleet management and cost containment efforts across the group,” it said in a statement.

The airline said this in a response to media reports and statements regarding its aircraft fleet plans, including the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Boeing recently.

According to Malaysia Airlines, the recent MoU to potentially add eight of the widebody Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft to its fleet from third quarter in 2019 is to add capacity to the airline’s wide-body fleet and provide a high level of quality on its most lucrative routes.

It also said that the funding for all aircraft was planned on a sale-and-operating leaseback or simple operational lease. – Bernama

Lao govt vows to aid farmers, producers

Laos’ Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Dr Lien Thikeo said recently that the government’s agricultural promotion policy needs to be implemented effectively to help farmers and businesses enhance productivity.

Enforcement of the Prime Minister’s Order No 15 issued on May 13, 2016, has had a positive impact. Many entrepreneurs are now using their land, on which they previously operated a timber business, to raise cattle and pigs,” he said.

“Farmers and producers in different regions are also growing grass to feed their cattle. We found that the area of grass grown rose from 5,000 hectares last year to 21,000 hectares this year, ”he added. – Vientiane Times