News

Fonterra Co-op says its $66 million (NZ$75m) investment to expand the Clandeboye site in South Canterbury, New Zealand, is part of the co-op’s plan to invest $883 million (NZ$1b) over the next three to four years.

Award winning distillery, Sullivans Cove, has unveiled its 25 Year Old Single Malt whisky, Australia’s oldest single malt ever bottled. According to the distillery, it is also possibly the oldest to have been produced by a continuously operating and dedicated new world whisky distillery.

In multicultural food landscapes like Australia and New Zealand, leading with purpose is essential to establish a strong foundation for unique cuisine. Food & Drink Business spoke with CJ  Foods Oceania CEO, Eugene Cha-Navarro, to discuss growth in the Australian market, and the company’s investments in local infrastructure.

The federal government has signed a new agreement with Vietnam to secure market access for Australian blueberry producers, with trade expected to be worth approximately $22 million over the next five years.

Gluten-free brewery, TWØBAYS Brewing Co, has closed its equity crowdfunding raise early after reaching the maximum target of $2.5 million, with 1000 investors coming on board.

Melbourne-based sustainable packaging company Great Wrap has entered voluntary administration with debts of about AU$39 million, following years of financial losses and shifting market conditions.

In Australia, the contract beverage manufacturing sector is worth around $4 to $8 billion, with growth fuelled by ready-to-drink (RTDs), non-alcoholic, and functional beverages. Melbourne-based company, Gypsy Hub, is intent on redefining contract beverage manufacturing and advocating for its scope and skills. 

Wide Open Agriculture says its proprietary lupin protein milk formulation marks a significant advancement in its mission to realise the potential of lupin as a globally relevant food protein. It has lodged a patent to protect the breakthrough technology.

The Queensland University of Technology (QUT) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Japan Bioindustry Association (JBA) to strengthen collaboration and drive innovation in the biomanufacturing sectors in Japan and Australia.

The South Australian government has launched its $250,000 Spirits Expansion Program in partnership with Distillers South Australia, aiming to support the state’s distilleries to expand locally and into priority international markets.

Cellular Agriculture Australia has released a white paper in collaboration with the Australian National University and the Australian Strategic Policy Institute highlighting the role of emerging biotechnologies in the future of Australia’s food system.

The 300 plus sessions at this year’s World Food Forum (WFF) reinforced its core mission – to mobilise global partnerships, investments, and innovation for sustainable agrifood systems and a hunger-free world.

The rise in snacking culture is well documented, but what are consumers snacking on? It turns out to be more nuanced than first thought. ADM ANZ category marketing manager, Melissa Przydacz, discusses the factors driving the evolution of snack bars and their ingredients.

TomKat Global Solutions has opened expressions of interest for its upcoming wholesale equity raise on VentureCrowd, as it seeks to accelerate the global commercial rollout of its KoolPak reusable packaging system.

Regional New South Wales could become a national hub for plant-based protein manufacturing, one of the fastest-growing sectors in global food production, according to a prospectus released by the government.

The hard coco craze

Alcoholic coconut water ready-to-drink (RTDs) options are the latest alcohol beverage trend to explode in Australia over the past year. Food & Drink Business spoke with Raw C and Coastals about the rise of better-for-you beverages and the coconut water craze.