News

Treasury Wine Estates is restructuring into four regional divisions and reshuffling its executive team as Penfolds depletions surge in China and the US business returns to growth.

Specialist contract processing winery, Winemasters SA, has gone into administration after the site failed to sell. Hall Chadwick partners, Brent Kijurina and David Trim, have been appointed administrators.

George Weston Foods' (GWF) new Mauri flour mill in Ballarat is nearing completion after three years of construction, with the facility expected to be operational by the end of 2026. The Victorian government is supporting the project, which was initially announced in 2022, under its $150 million Victorian Investment Fund.

As one of Australia’s largest meat processing and packaging companies, Hilton Foods has partnered with DLL Group, a Rabobank-owned global finance provider specialising in food‑equipment funding across Australia and New Zealand. Through this partnership, DLL has supported Hilton’s strategy to accelerate smarter production, drive innovation, and strengthen supply‑chain resilience.

Months after announcing its exit from food science research, CSIRO has released a regional food system strategy for South East Queensland, calling for coordinated action on supply chains, land use, and food security ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

A further $6.9 million has been allocated to five successful applicants through the federal Industry Growth Program (IGP), including several developing technologies to support the Australian food system. The latest round includes Bioborne, C Sea Solutions, Seascape Restorations Australia, and Levur.

Methane-reducing feed additive developer, Sea Forest, has entered into an agreement with New South Wales-based farm, Avondale Ag, to supplement 5000 cattle with SeaFeed, for an initial term of 12 months.

Global ingredients company, IFF, has submitted a new heart health claim for isolated soy protein, which has been accepted by Food Standards Australia New Zealand.

When production began at Bulla’s new ice cream factory in Colac, Victoria, in late 2025, the moment carried more than just operational significance. Food & Drink Business was there for the official factory opening, thanks to engineering and automation specialists, Process Partners, which was embedded in the site for the factory’s planning and construction. 

The federal government is developing a new Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme livestock method with Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), which will allow farmers to earn ACCUs through low-emissions livestock management.

New Zealand based goat milk formula brand, The LittleOak Company, has replaced high oleic sunflower oil with cold pressed olive oil in its products, aiming to offer the most natural and nutritious formula possible.

When Carly Coggan launched Sandboy Beverages less than a year ago, she did not expect the pace of growth to be quite so rapid. Kim Berry finds out how it happened and the brand’s road ahead.

Box Divvy, a community-based food network operating across New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory, has built a soft plastics collection and recycling system across its neighbourhood hubs, diverting about 2.5 tonnes from landfill each month.

The New South Wales government has invested $7.4 million into South Coast aquaculture projects, in the first round of funding from its new $20 million Aquaculture Industry Development Program.

The Queensland government is searching for the state’s top exporters, with applications now open for the 2026 Premier of Queensland Export Awards. Winners will represent the state at the Australian Export Awards in November.

With finalists for the 2026 Hive Awards announced this week, Food & Drink Business is looking back at some of the companies recognised over the past two years – and what they have done since.