Market connectivity through ecommerce is more urgent than ever before, Food Innovation Australia Limited (FIAL) says. It has refreshed its Australian Food Catalogue (AFC) to boost its trade credentials.

Thomas Foods International has acquired a 50 per cent stake in meat processing company Frew International. In an unrelated sale, the company has agreed to sell its fresh potato business to Mitolo Family Farms.

April was the worst month on record for beer, wine and spirits sales, a report on the impact of COVID-19 on the drinks industry says. Beer sales dropped 44 per cent and cider fell 61 per cent, it said.

The aquaculture industry in Northern Australia is expected to grow five-fold and exceed $1.34 billion within the next decade, as found in the latest report from the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA).

One of the world’s largest chocolate and cocoa product manufacturers Barry Callebaut Group has acquired Australian B2B chocolate manufacturer GKC Foods.

Red Kangaroo Beverages has announced a deal with the Korean manufacturing and distribution company Binggrae. It will see its functional beverage Kanguru stocked in 24,000 South Korean stores.

Melbourne-based cheese manufacturer That’s Amore Cheese has won 11 medals at the Dairy Industry Association of Australia (DIAA) Dairy Product Competition this week, including three gold awards.

Mars Wrigley Australia has donated $40,612 to Lifeline’s Ballarat and Harbour to Hawkesbury organisations to support the increased demand of lifesaving crisis support services during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Coca-Cola Amatil continues to feel “significant volatility” across all markets as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with group volume of beverages sold down by 33 per cent in April.

Australia’s largest producer of certified organic milk, Organic Dairy Farmers of Australia (ODFA), has entered voluntary administration. It is estimated it has more than $11.5 million in debts.

Nestlé has invested more than 100 million Swiss Francs (AU$155.6 million) in a significant expansion of its operations in China. While growing its existing pet food plant in Tianjin, it will also develop new production facility – the company’s first in Asia – for plant-based products.

Yowie Group has proposed a four per cent share capital return. Company secretary Neville Bassett said the decision reflected the board’s consideration that Yowie had surplus capital in excess of its working capital requirements.

Meal kit company Marley Spoon has added snacks to its home delivery service. The snacks are designed to be made at home and will launch on 1 June.

Latina Fresh Australia has joined the ranks of food and beverage businesses supporting Foodbank Australia as it experiences a significant increase in demand due to COVID-19.

Brewery giant Lion is bringing the US brand White Claw Hard Seltzer to Australia in a partnership with Mark Anthony Brands International. It adds another variety in the growing seltzer category.

Australian consumer-voted awards program Product of the Year (POY) is celebrating World Product Day with the release of its Top 10 Round Up of Australia’s favourite products. All products are previous winners of POY, showcasing how the market has evolved over the past decade.