Food and Beverage: Introduction

Companies in this segment produce carbonated and noncarbonated soft drinks, bottled water, ice, and alcoholic beverages.

Companies in this segment manufacture dairy-based products from both raw and processed milk, as well as dairy substitutes.

Companies in this segment distribute fresh fruits, vegetables, spices, and herbs. The main task of distributors is to get the fruit and vegetables from producers to customers, including both food retailers and foodservice providers.

In this segment, companies mill flour and rice, malt grains, and mixed prepared flour mixes and dough. Major products include flour, rice, and malted grains.

Major products in this segment are wholesale meat products that will be cut or processed further, ground beef for commercial use, and "case-ready" items for retail use.

Companies in this segment produce raw sugar from sugar cane, refine raw cane sugar, and produce refined beet sugar from sugar beets. The most widely used product for sugar manufacturers is refined sugar for both industrial and consumer use.