OPUS International
Industry Update - April 2026

May brought increased consolidation activity and continued investment in growth categories.
One of the largest transactions announced was the agreement for private equity firm CVC Capital Partners to acquire the food ingredients division of International Flavors & Fragrances for approximately $4.3 billion. The transaction highlights ongoing investor interest in ingredients, flavors, emulsifiers, and specialty food technologies.
Industry executives continued to focus on:

• Ingredient optimization
• Supply chain resilience
• Product reformulation
• Margin improvement
• Automation and productivity initiatives

At the manufacturing level, many companies reported stable production volumes but continued labor challenges. Industry surveys suggested that while hiring had slowed, replacement hiring remained active due to retirements and workforce turnover. Manufacturing labor shortages remained particularly acute in operations leadership, maintenance, engineering, and food safety roles.
Food inflation remained moderate relative to previous years, supporting a more predictable planning environment for manufacturers.

May's biggest theme was portfolio optimization. Strategic acquisitions, divestitures, and investments signaled that large food companies are prioritizing high-margin categories, specialty ingredients, and scalable brands rather than pursuing broad expansion.
For recruiters and employers, demand remained strongest for:

• R&D Directors
• Food Technologists
• Plant Managers
• Continuous Improvement Leaders
• Supply Chain Directors
• Quality & Food Safety Professionals