Growth halves for large groups, despite strong profitability. The world's fifty largest groups selling fast-moving consumer goods (food, cosmetics, drinks etc.) saw their growth halved in 2013, despite an improvement in profitability thanks to the drop in raw materials and in the emerging countries, according to a study published by the consultancy firm OC&C. Their growth fell from +5.6% in 2012 to +2.9% last year, due to extremely unfavourable exchange rates. However, growth remains strong, at nearly 4%, a sign that consumer goods are still an industry in expansion, despite the economically tough climate, and the most successful companies are the ones with the greatest focus on the emerging countries, according to OC&C. There, growth was in excess of 17% in 2013, although local companies in the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) are firmly established and overshadow them. In these markets, the market share of the international groups is 25%, whilst that of the “local tigers” is 41% on average. This reality has prompted the Western groups to turn to the MINT countries (Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey), where growth is starting to rival that of the BRICs. The Top 10 is dominated by the United States, with six groups out of ten. In terms of growth, Switzerland's Nestlé remains top of the table, with a turnover of $99.5 billion in 2013. It is followed by the Americans Procter & Gamble (turnover of $84.2 billion) and PepsiCo ($66.4 billion). The Anglo-Dutch group Unilever is in fourth place with a turnover of $66.1 billion, followed by America's Coca-Cola ($46.8 billion) in fifth place. The year 2013 was also marked by the arrival of the first Chinese player to the top 50: the leader in instant noodles, Tingyi, which made it to 41st place. Two other Chinese groups are expected to join it in 2014: Yili and WH Group, followed by Mengniu in the next two years. (IL)