This week’s Top 5 stories

Take a look at the stories that caught everyone’s attention on the Food & Drink Business website this week: China wine tariffs set to end; CCEP ceases Rekorderlig Cider distribution in Australia; Fortifi Food acquires MHM Automation; Ingham's acquires New Zealand's only organic poultry producer; and Dairyworks refit with Process Partners. 

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry is joined by Murray Cod Australia CEO, Ross Anderson, and Luke Piccolo, the co-owner and head chef of Limone restaurant in Griffith, New South Wales. The discussion is about Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod, a world leader in sustainable aquaculture.

The Hive Awards is pleased to announce The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CommBank) as its Platinum sponsor. The awards program is an initiative of Food & Drink Business, Australia’s leading trade media platform for the food and beverage manufacturing industry.

When you are launching an industry awards program for the first time, it can be a leap for a potential sponsor to visualise what you can see so clearly in your head. Say hello to the inaugural sponsors of The Hive Awards.

Welcome to The Food & Drink Business Top 100 Food & Drink Companies 2023 report. Compiled in collaboration with IBISWorld, this flagship report ranks by revenue Australia’s biggest players in the food and drink sector. Who made it into the Top 10, which companies rose in the ranks with impressive revenue growth, and which ones fell – it’s a fascinating informative glimpse into Australia’s largest manufacturing sector.

CCEP ceases Rekorderlig Cider distribution

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) Australia has announced that following a strategic review, the company will withdraw from the sale and distribution of the Rekorderlig Cider brand in Australia.

Wide Open Ag sells Dirty Clean Food to CEO

Wide Open Agriculture (WOA) has signed a binding conditional MoU to sell its retail brand, Dirty Clean Food (DCF), to CEO Jay Albany’s holding company, DCF Global. Albany will resign as WOA’s CEO immediately, after 15 months in the role.

Creating an optimal warehouse

Disorganisation, haphazard storage, locating stock, and safety are common distribution challenges. Robotic Automation explains how a specified Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) shuttle system can help solve those issues.

Dairyworks: A remodel with benefits

When New Zealand cheese company, Dairyworks, contacted Process Partners to install a new line, the food engineering firm offered another idea that would drive greater productivity, efficiency, and savings. Kim Berry speaks to Process Partners program manager – Food Manufacturing & Packaging, Craig Gilbert.

MHM Automation acquired by Fortifi

Fortifi Food Processing Solutions has acquired New Zealand-based MHM Automation to extend its automation and robotics capabilities. MHM had entered a Scheme Implementation Agreement with Bettcher Industries, a business unit of Fortifi, in November. Fortifi is owned by private equity firm, KKR.

GABS heads to Melbourne Showgrounds

Australia’s premier craft beer festival, GABS, has announced it is relocating the Melbourne leg of its three-city tour from its ‘spiritual home’ at the Royal Exhibition Building to the Melbourne Showgrounds.

World first: FSANZ approves GM banana

Altered to be resistant to a disease that could cripple the global banana industry, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) says the genetically modified (GM) Cavendish banana, QCAV-4, is permitted for consumption.

Ingham's acquires NZ organic chicken company

Poultry processor Inghams Group says the acquisition of New Zealand’s only organic poultry producer, Bostock Brothers, will build the company’s capabilities and extend its range. Ingham’s existing New Zealand operations showed a strong recovery in 1H24 with a 17.5 per cent increase in revenue.

Solbevi: Shining like the sun

Stefan Di Benedetto’s story from working in construction to global plans for his limoncello and limoncello spritz brand, Solbevi, is one of fierce determination and tireless persistence. Kim Berry writes.

Integra Foods opens plant protein facility

Integra Foods, a subsidiary of Australian Grain Export (AGE), has launched its plant protein facility, located in AGE’s new $20 million vertically integrated precinct in Dublin, South Australia.

And that's a wrap: APPEX 2024 closes on a high

The biggest packaging and processing show ever held in Australia, APPEX 2024, closed its doors on Friday after four days of the industry showing its agility, focus, intelligence, and collaboration.

ReCORK pilot program launches at Dan Murphy’s

Endeavour Group has launched Australia’s only large-scale, natural cork stopper recycling program, ReCORK. In partnership with Amorim Cork and Save Our Soles, the ReCORK system will address recycling challenges posed by natural cork stoppers.

Cardboard Cake breaks gluten-free stigma

Gluten-free products have long suffered from a reputation of tasting like cardboard. Up for a challenge, Sydney-based Wholegreen Bakery teamed up with creative agency The Hallway to create the Cardboard Cake – gluten-free and most importantly, full of flavour.

Five key areas of future food systems you need to know

The recent Future Food Systems Conference in London saw experts from around the globe come together to discuss the complex challenges and opportunities of emerging food systems. Sustainability consultancy, Salterbaxter, shares its five key takeaways from the conference with Food & Drink Business readers.

Agrifoodtech startup investments plunge

A new report from agrifoodtech investment and intelligence platform AgFunder has revealed the food and agriculture technology market has been hit by a current venture capital downturn. The sector posted a 49 per cent year-over-year decline in funding in 2023. 

Population swell triggers Easter spending spree

New research from the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and Roy Morgan has found that despite cost-of-living pressures, 17.3 million Australians are estimated to spend $2.05 billion on hot cross buns, easter eggs or other special food this year, approximately $400 million more than in 2023.

Arnott’s, Paco, UNSW announce recycling research program

The Arnott’s Group, Paco Industries and the University of New South Wales will collaborate on a research program to progress technologies in recycling, bio plastics and carbon capture, addressing plastic packaging challenges facing the food and beverage industry.

Packaging News

PKN's inaugural Women in Packaging Awards program, which aims to foster diversity, promote innovation, and inspire future leaders in the Australian packaging industry, is now open for entries.

Packaging and processing people from around the country, and the globe, celebrated innovation at the APPMA awards last night in an atmosphere of optimism as the industry looks to a bright future. The awards were held midway through the sector's biggest ever exhibition, APPEX, which along with a dazzling array of technology, has shown how purpose, focused minds, and collaboration, can enable packaging and processing to rise to the challenges it faces.

After serving 22 years on the APPMA Board, and 14 years as chairman, Mark Dingley told the 700-plus guests at the APPMA Gala Dinner last night that he will be stepping down from his position as chairman.