The New South Wales government has invested $52 million to support the renewable manufacturing sector, including $20 million for Optimal Renewable Gas to convert agricultural organic waste from farms into a gas fuel at its Griffith Biohub.

Australian Vintage has flagged a stronger second half, saying it remains on track to deliver FY26 sales growth and free cash flow neutrality (excluding investments), despite a softer first half and break-even operating earnings. 

Bega Group reported a 45 per cent surge in profit to $52 million in the first half of FY26, with EBITDA up almost 30 per cent to $133.4 million. The group also lifted its FY26 guidance to $222-227 million.

Inghams Group reported a 65 per cent drop in profit in the first half of FY26, causing the share price to fall almost 16 per cent, wiping $172 million from its market capitalisation.  

Murray Cod Australia non-executive director, Steven Chaur, will become managing director and CEO from 20 April 2026. Mat Ryan and Roger Commins will remain as Interim joint CEOs until that time.

One of Queensland’s largest vegetable farming and production companies, Kalfresh, has received a joint $80 million investment from the Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) and Wollemi Capital to build Australia’s first integrated food and energy precinct.

New research from RMIT University suggests saltbush could help food manufacturers improve protein quality and reduce the reliance on added salt in staple foods. The drought-tolerant shrub has been used as bush tucker by Indigenous Australians for thousands of years.

The Brewers Association of Australia CEO, Amanda Watson, has stepped down from the role. Watson, who became CEO in July 2025, said she was pursuing a different career direction.

Australian Food Pact signatories generated $12 million in additional revenue in 2025 by converting unsold food into higher-value outcomes, including new product development and commercial redistribution, according to End Food Waste Australia.

Melbourne-born functional lifestyle beverage brand, Bae Juice, has continued to reach for the stars since starting out in 2019, with the company recording one of its biggest seasons yet – selling one pack of its anti-hangover Korean pear juice every 12 seconds in December 2026.

In response to the sector challenges laid out in 2024’s One Grape & Wine Sector Plan, Wine Australia has created the Australian Wine Future Fund, designed to increase funding pathways for fast-tracking innovations addressing the industry’s most critical challenges.

Three years after Australia walked away from free trade negotiations with the European Union, Canberra and Brussels appear to be edging back toward an endgame on an Australia–EU Free Trade Agreement (A-EU FTA).

Australia’s position in the Harvard Economic Complexity Index (ECI) has just received a significant boost, moving from 105th to 74th place out of the 145 countries assessed, but it is due to a recalibration of calculation methodology rather than a meaningful change in capability.

Seedlab Australia has launched a new national sponsorship for a Churchill Fellowship focused on food and beverage innovation, with the opportunity to be offered nationally from 2026 for five years.

Maggie Beer Holdings (MBH) has accelerated a strategic review of its Hampers & Gifts Australia (HGA) division following unsolicited and non-binding approaches from external parties.

The Western Australian government is investing $6 million to grow the state’s wine industry, through a new four-year partnership with Wines of Western Australia.