With Australia’s first detailed study of the food cold chain completed in 2020, it is time for major improvements to the sector. Australian Food Cold Chain Council executive director Greg Picker writes.

Coca-Cola European Partners has increased its offer price for Coca-Cola Amatil, in a bid to satisfy shareholders who said its original offer was too low.

After a difficult 2020, Australian Dairy Products Federation executive director Janine Waller looks at three trends most likely to shape the industry in 2021.

Pure Foods Tasmania has acquired Lauds Plant Based Foods for $350,000. The plant-based alt dairy business produces dairy and cheese alternatives made mainly from nuts and oats.

More than forty per cent of Australians have changed their morning routine in the wake of COVID-19, research by Kellogg Australia says. The cereal giant said half of all Australians are now getting up earlier.

Keg rental business Kegstar is set to merge with keg logistics firm MicroStar. The deal will see 15 per cent owned by Brambles and 85 per cent by MicroStar shareholders.

Construction has begun on Circular Plastics Australia PET, the $45 million joint venture between Asahi Beverages, Pact Group and Cleanaway Waste Management that was announced in August 2020.

Soulfresh has appointed Michael Davies as chief marketing officer. Davies was previously director of Mars Wrigley M&A and Ventures in the US, and prior to that, marking director UK for Mars.

Wine tech company Cellr will be the technology partner with the Barossa Grape and Wine Association (BGWA) for its 2021 Barossa Wine Auction, the association says.

Indigenous-owned non-alcoholic brewery Sobah is taking its craft and storytelling to new heights in 2021. Sobah co-founder Dr Clinton Schultz speaks with Doris Prodanovic.

The Arnott’s Group has acquired Diver Foods as part of its growth strategy into the cereal and snacks market. In December, it acquired the cereal and snacks business from Freedom Foods for $20 million.

Former director of National Dairy Products Violetta Esposito has been disqualified from managing companies for five years, the Australian Securities & Investments Commission has ruled.

India is fast becoming an export alternative to China. Scotchman’s Hill winery has teamed up with cricketing legend, Dennis Lillee, to launch a new wine label in India and Sri Lanka.

In late 2020, China imposed severe tariffs on Australian wine. Asia Wine Hub founder Jeremy Oliver asks, what now?

Huon Aquaculture Group says challenging market conditions, declining international salmon prices and stock losses will mean its projected earrings for FY2021 will be substantially lower than FY2020.

Baby food brand Funch has launched its Tmall Global store to sell directly to Chinese consumers. Tmall Global is owned by the Alibaba Group and is China’s largest cross-border marketplace.