Wine Australia has released its five-year Strategic Plan 2025–30, outlining how it will support Australian grapegrowers, winemakers and exporters in navigating current pressures while building a more resilient, profitable and sustainable future. 

Global beverage giant, Suntory, has officially launched its combined Australia New Zealand business, Suntory Oceania, as it unveiled the $400 million Swanbank factory in Ipswich, Queensland. It was more than three years ago that then CEO of Frucor Suntory, Darren Fullerton, outlined the ambitious build and two years since Suntory Oceania was announced. With plans realised, there is now a $3 billion beverage behemoth in the arena, representing the fourth largest in the region with ambitious growth plans in the works. 

The International Alliance for Responsible Drinking has accelerated its plans to reduce harmful drinking – partnering leading global beer, wine and spirits producers with advertising, public relations, and influencer agencies to ensure alcohol marketing is clearly recognised, responsibly advertised, and aimed at an audience over the legal purchase age.

A new online store, Just a Crumb, has launched to support Australian bakeries in reducing food waste – offering consumers cake offcuts and leftover treats that might otherwise go to waste, delivered to the door.

As the Australian functional beverage market continues to grow, emerging companies are still finding places to slot in. Alcohol recovery drink, Dodge, hit stores in mid-2022, and has taken off across the Asia-Pacific region with its science-backed formula and striking branding. Food & Drink Business spoke with co-founder, Braeden Leahy, about the product and plans for the future.

The former deputy chief of staff to the federal communications minister, Amanda Watson, has been appointed CEO of the Brewers Association of Australia (BAA).  Watson starts in the role on 14 July and replaces John Preston, who had been in the role for five years.

Haigh’s Chocolates has appointed Peter Millard as the company’s new CEO, the first time in its 110-year history that someone outside the Haigh family will lead the business.

The Victorian government has invested $160,000 to support the sustainability and profitability of the state’s wine industry, matched by $240,000 from Wine Australia. The funds will help Wine Victoria to provide the wine industry with the knowledge, tools and resources needed to improve practices and outcomes.

Australian spirits producers had an outstanding showing at the 2025 International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) in London, with top scoring producers including 30 Knots Spirits, Australian Distilling Co., Ester Distilling, Mt. Uncle Distillery, Nine Circles Distillery, and Turner Stillhouse.

The recent innovation forum hosted by the Australian Marketing Institute and research company, T Garage, examined the reality for the rapidly evolving landscape of consumer goods that innovation is now table stakes. Experts from three of Australia's Top 100 food and drink companies shared their experiences and confirmed innovation is not just a corporate strategy, but a mindset permeating personal and professional life. 

The Victorian Supreme Court has approved the settlement terms of the consolidated class action brought against Noumi and its former auditor, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu.

One of Australia’s first plant-based, chef-led eateries and now ready meal provider IKU is celebrating its 40 year anniversary, with the business experiencing record growth since switching to an e-commerce model.

Australia’s GDP could be boosted by up to $50 billion a year if supply chain data standards were improved, according to a new report commissioned by GS1 Australia, and launched to coincide with World Barcodes Day, which marks the anniversary of the first barcode scan on 26 June 1974.

In an increasingly complex world, taste remains one of the most powerful connectors between people, culture and experience. Global ingredients company, IFF, looks at the necessity of creating meaningful and personalised flavours to future-proof products, and how the taste trends landscape looks in 2025.

Workout Meals has launched a range of ready meals specifically designed for air-fryers, as Australian households gravitate towards the benchtop appliances. Food & Drink Business spoke with Workout Meals co-founder, Tomi Jurlina, to discuss the beginnings of the range and how the company has grown over the past decade.

Mars Food & Nutrition Australia is continuing to support Foodbank Australia in tackling food insecurity, with plans to deliver four million meals to Australians in need this year through pasta sauce brand, Dolmio.