Noumi has reported improved first-half revenue and underlying earnings growth, with record sales from its plant-based business and a strong turnaround in Dairy & Nutritionals.

Queensland’s best beverages have been awarded at the 2026 Royal Queensland Distilled Spirits and Beer Awards, with Happy Valley Brewing Co and Nil Desperandum taking out the top honours.

Adelaide Hills wine producer, Sidewood Estate, has entered a national distribution partnership with Samuel Smith & Son, the domestic distribution arm of Hill-Smith Family Estates.

Twelve months after bringing four businesses together under the SPC Global banner, CEO Robert Iervasi says the biggest shift has been cultural as much as financial: the company has moved from making what it can and “finding a home” for it, to building the portfolio around what consumers want, in the channels where demand is strongest.

The federal government is backing the development of a National Vineyard Register – a major Wine Australia project that aims to support a more sustainable future for Australia’s wine and grape industry.

The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) has released its Towards 2030: A food and grocery snapshot, an assessment of the food and grocery manufacturing sector following the Sustaining Australia: Food and Grocery Manufacturing 2030 report released in 2020.

The federal government has granted $1.5 million to the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), to strengthen food safety and alcohol surveillance in Laos, following the methanol poisoning deaths of two Australian citizens in November 2024.

Woolworths Group delivered a stronger first-half underlying earnings result, with group sales up 3.4 per cent to $37.1 billion and EBIT up 14.4 per cent to $1.66 billion for the 27 weeks to 4 January 2026.

With conscious consumerism and sustainability concerns on the rise, Capital Brewing Co has partnered with Voyager Craft Malt, aiming to transition to local sourcing, lower emissions production and more sustainable brewing practices.

Lark Distilling has reported continued top-line growth in 1H FY26, with net sales revenue (after excise) rising 10 per cent to $8.7 million, as the Tasmanian whisky producer prepares for a coordinated domestic and international rollout of its restaged portfolio in the second half.

Better-for-you soft drink brand, bobby, has opened expressions of interest for its upcoming equity raise through OnMarket. Since launching in 2022, the company has expanded from four to 13 flavours, and secured national ranging across major and independent retail.

Calabria Family Wine Group has taken over Australian distribution for House of Fine Wine and The Wine Company – including products from Groupe Bollinger, Villa Maria, and Tahbilk. The company will manage all on‑premise and independent retail distribution nationally.

Entries for the 2026 Hive Awards are open, but the clock is ticking, with 2.5 weeks left to get your entries in – the closing date is 13 March. There are nine awards up for grabs, with three new categories this year – Best Food Product, Best Beverage, and Best NPD.

Suntory Oceania has announced two new three-year partnerships with The Dylan Alcott Foundation in Australia and Recreate NZ in New Zealand, investing more than $450,000 to support young adults living with disability.

Woolworths Group has achieved 100 per cent renewable electricity powering its business across Australia and New Zealand. The milestone is projected to deliver a reduction of over 74 per cent in operational emissions.

With 2026 underway, Australia’s manufacturing industry is faced with some familiar pressures including rising costs, skills shortages, supply chain challenges, a complex regulatory environment and intense competition from imported goods. RSM Australia national manufacturing leader, Louis Quintal, offers insight on challenges and opportunities for the sector.