News

Lark Distilling net sales fell 4.5 per cent to $3.5 million in the September quarter, ending eight consecutive quarters of growth, as export sales stalled while it brings on a new distributor in China.

Woolworths Group lifted Australian Food sales 6.9 per cent to $14.84 billion in the first quarter of FY27, driven by higher volumes as average prices fell for an eleventh straight quarter.

In 1976, Ferrero opened its first factory outside of Europe in the Australian mining town, Lithgow, New South Wales. Tic Tacs were the first product to come off the line but in 1978, Nutella production began. On its 50th anniversary, employees, their families, community partners and political dignitaries came together to celebrate the milestone. 

Pure Foods Tasmania (PFT) cut its quarterly operating cash outflow by 69 per cent to $311,000 in the three months to 30 September, as customer receipts rose 60 per cent and manufacturing costs fell.

Wide Open Agriculture (WOA) has extended Univar Solutions China’s exclusive right to distribute its lupin protein in mainland China to 31 December 2028, buying time while it finds a contract manufacturer to replace its closed German plant.

Robotic Automation has been appointed an authorised service and support partner for Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR) in Australia and New Zealand, covering the full lifecycle of MiR autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) from design and commissioning through to maintenance and breakdown response.

Labor is supporting First Peoples businesses in Victoria to reach new world markets, with a delegation of First Peoples business owners on their way to the World Indigenous Business Forum in Canada.

Foodbank’s 2026 Hunger Report has confirmed what its report last year started to show – not only is one in three households not reliably able to afford food in the past year, but middle-income working households are driving the shift and fresh produce, protein and dairy are the first items cut from the basket.

Archie Rose Distilling Co. has moved its core whisky range into lighter bottles and redesigned packaging as the Sydney distiller prepares to enter the US, two months after actor Chris Hemsworth joined the business as co-owner.

Ben & Jerry’s co-founder, Ben Cohen, is calling on Australian consumers to boycott Magnum ice cream, escalating a campaign for parent company The Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC) to sell the brand to investors aligned with its social mission.

More than US$23 billion in global CPG value share has shifted from mainstream-priced products to discount and premium tiers, and snacks and alcohol face the deepest cuts in spending intentions, according to NIQ’s Consumer Outlook 2027.

At its AGM on 24 November, SPC Global will ask shareholders to approve a new corporate name, Altiva Global, to separate the listed group from its SPC trading business.

Bega Group will spend about $110 million on manufacturing capacity in FY27, targeting yoghurt, cream cheese and milk-based beverages, while almost a third of proxy votes went against its remuneration report.

Treasury Wine Estates has confirmed about $50 million in proceeds from the sale of Seppelt, Rosemount and vineyards, and reiterated F27 guidance, at its first AGM under CEO Sam Fischer.

The nearly 70 million consumers in the UK are an enticing market for Australian companies, with a free trade agreement and goodwill adding to the appeal. But Paul Beare says regulations, VAT, banking and employment laws can catch some off guard. In this Q&A, Beare discusses what Australian food and beverage companies need to consider to ensure success in the UK market. 

Bubs Australia has successfully relaunched its infant formula products in Vietnam, with products now back on shelves and sales resuming in this strategically important growth market.