Beston poised to take Aussie spring water into China

Manufacturer Beston Global Food Company (BFC) has entered into contracts to acquire 51 per cent of South Australian bottled spring water business AQUAEssence.

BFC chairman Roger Sexton said the acquisition was part of the company's strategy to take healthy food and beverage products to a wider overseas market.

Sexton has seen demand for antioxidant-rich alkaline water, particularly in China.

AQUAEssence will be a strong part of BFC's health and nutrition division.

Also this month, BFC signed a manufacturing and distribution agreement with Chinese agricultural company Hondo to produce, market and distribute its ready-to-eat meals in China.

The meals will be sold to the retail and foodservice sector under the Yarra Valley Wholesale Meat brand owned by BFC's investee company Scorpio Foods.

The agreement will enable Scorpio to export frozen boned-out meat to China for use in the meals.