PepsiCo plans to stregnthen its global leadership"in snacks in 2010 through acquisitions and the development of healthier products. The firm reported  yesterday (11 Feb.) a 16% increase in full-year profits, driven by gains in its worldwide snack and international beverage businesses.

CEO and chairman Indra Nooyi said they will continue to grow our current businesses in developed markets and  will extend their reach into new markets with targeted acquisitions,said also they will continue to expand into adjacent categories as well.The third “more important” element of PepsiCo's plan according to Nooyi is to make its core snacks healthier through the use of heart-healthy oils, cutting salt and the addition of grains, nuts and seeds.

PepsiCo currently has around a $10bn core of good-for-you products, anchored by Tropicana, Lebedyanski, Quaker, and the new dairy joint venture entered into with Alamarai.

Nooyi said they will augment the organic growth of these platforms through an increasing stream of science-based innovation.Nooyi also indicated that some of their new products  planned for will come from targeted acquisitions and from joint ventures. But the R&D power being build in last couple of years will larger number of innovations. Earlier this month, Nooyi revealed an ambition to triple PepsiCo's US$10bn revenues from the healthy drink and food market with the launch of several products.

Nooyi added that China offered “exciting” opportunities for the snack market.She said “In snacks [in China] the market is wide open. They like the Western brands because they are a mark of quality. We are going to add a lot more products under the current banners…we’ve done great things with farmers in China and we are very excited about the country.”