Vanguard Luxury Brands, Lion’s craft spirits distribution business, will be the exclusive Australian distributor for Maison Ferrand. Its brands include Planteray Rum, Citadelle Gin and Ferrand Dry Curaçao.

There is no doubt Australia’s supply chains are under pressure – not from a single event, but from a convergence of ongoing disruptions that are increasingly structural in nature. Geopolitical instability, economic uncertainty, infrastructure gaps, and a deepening workforce crisis have made unpredictability the norm rather than the exception. The Supply Chain & Logistics Association of Australia chair, Sue Tomic, looks at the state of play. 

Eighteen emerging New South Wales food and beverage producers have been granted $4500 by the state government to exhibit within the Flavours of New South Wales zone at leading trade show, Fine Food Australia 2025.

The Australian Chicken Growers’ Council has appointed David Inall as its new chief executive officer, taking over from Dr. Joanne Sillince, who has been acting CEO for over a year.

The first cans to be printed on Orora’s new high-speed digital direct-to-can printing system, Helio, rolled off the line at the canmaker’s Dandenong facility in Victoria this week, marking a milestone not only for the company but for the region’s packaging sector. PKN was among the media contingent present.

Lion has become a Certified B Corporation (B Corp), building on some of its individual brands having previously achieved B Corp status. For Lion CEO, Sam Fischer, it is a major achievement for the whole business to meet the criteria.

TasFoods says its decision to sell its Pyengana Dairy brand is in the brand’s best interest. A recent business review found the company was not the right vehicle to develop and scale the dairy business.

On the outskirts of Brisbane, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners’ (CCEP) has unveiled its latest investment in its Richlands facility. The $75 million can line, primarily for Monster Energy products, is the largest line for CCEP globally, with the capability to process up to 120,000 cans per hour.

Maxwell Wines says its acquisition of the McLaren Vale wine producer, Fox Creek Wines, is aimed at safeguarding the legacy of the region’s wine heritage. The winery says it will preserve the brand’s integrity while breathing life into its operations.

Australian Distillers has appointed Kylie Lethbridge as its new general manager. She will start in the role on 27 October. Her most recent role was CEO of the Independent Brewers Association.

Australian plant-based meat company, v2food, has acquired the largest US brand for unbreaded plant chicken, Daring Foods, and announced a partnership with Japanese food science giant Ajinomoto Co. Inc., as it signals a new platform for growth.

With beverage company, Lion, releasing the latest flavour for its Japanese-style ready-to-drink, Kirin Hyoketsu, Food & Drink Business spoke with Lion director of RTD and Spirits, Albertus Lombard, to discuss the company's portfolio and recent market trends.

As consumers lean towards functional food and beverages, the sports and energy drink market is leading the charge. Market research company, IMARC Group, has released its Australia Sports and Energy Drinks Market report for 2024, outlining current trends and expected growth over the next decade.

The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) ANZ Produce Executive Program (PEP), a leadership and business development program for the fresh produce industry, will make its New Zealand debut from 17-22 August.

Thomas Foods International has moved from two shifts to one extended single shift at its Lobethal processing facility, due to drought and lower livestock supply. The company said it was a “difficult but necessary decision”, given current market conditions.

One of the country’s biggest owners of pubs, bars and hotels, Australian Venue Co, has attracted a new private equity partner to support its next stage of growth.