Plant-based drinks and alternative proteins have continued to grow in the food sector, and HRS Heat Exchangers is taking note – developing manufacturing solutions to make processing easier and more efficient.

Following the release of its 12-month Supermarket Inquiry interim report, and with hearings due to start this week, the ACCC has released the latest submissions from a range of industry bodies highlighting unaddressed concerns. One issue raised in multiple submissions, with strong input from the Australian Food & Grocery Council (AFGC), was the impact of rising costs eroding industry profits and placing the food sector in a high-pressure situation.

Australia’s trade and tourism minister, Senator Don Farrell, and several other government officials descended on Treasury Wine Estates’ Shanghai office to discuss ways to build greater cooperation between Australian and Chinese wine industries. The visit comes six months after China lifted heavy tariffs it had imposed in 2020.

The largest meat processor in Australia, JBS Australia, is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its Beef City site, part of the country’s largest beef processing and feedlot operation.

Consumer intelligence company, NielsenIQ (NIQ), has released its Mid-Year Consumer Outlook: Guide to 2025 report, analysing the latest trends in consumer spending and catalysts for change across industries.

Western Australia has experienced a 400 per cent increase in export demand for its avocados year-on-year, with the 2023/24 season worth $36.8 million, up from $7.1 million in 2022/23. Growing demand in Asia and the Middle East has fuelled the increase.

Effective planning in food processing doesn’t have to be chaotic. The right digital tool will help food manufacturers bring order to their operations by calculating the cost for any number of decisions. Emile Bassil from Relex explains how bringing every team to the same source of data provides full visibility across the company.

Bubs Australia recorded $19.7 million in revenue for 1Q25, down 0.3 per cent on the prior corresponding period of $24.3 million. The company reconfirmed its FY25 guidance of $102 million net revenue, gross margin more than 40 per cent, and a break even EBITDA.

The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission has reached an early decision on the proposed merger of Sanitarium’s Weet-Bix and Nestlé’s Uncle Tobys Vita Brits, stating that it will not oppose the acquisition.

Coles is investing $880 million into a new Automated Distribution Centre (ADC) in Truganina, Victoria – the third, and largest, facility it will be partnering with Witron Australia on.

French cheese manufacturer, Bel Groupe, has opened an Australian subsidiary, Bel Brands Australia, aiming to work more closely with retailers and directly manage its brand distribution.

South Australian distillery, 23rd Street, is making waves in the industry with its Australian whisky range – awarded two gold medals at its first competition. The company’s director of hospitality, sales, and marketing, Chris Illman, shares some insight into the whisky industry in Australia and 23rd Street's presence in the sector.

A $22.2 million can line upgrade at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) Australia's Richlands facility is officially complete, and construction is now underway on an additional can line, backed by a further multi-year $75 million investment.

Plant-based food and beverage brand, Vitasoy, has partnered with not-for-profit water advocacy group, the Mulloon Institute, to conduct one of the country’s largest ever restoration projects.

Australian-founded global investment and advisory firm, Pollination, is working with some of the world’s largest food companies to develop and finance scalable solutions that will help decarbonise supply chains and accelerate the transition to more sustainable food systems. Food & Drink Business editor, Kim Berry, speaks to Pollination managing director APAC Team, Hamish Reid.

Woolworths Group’s 1Q25 sales saw a 17 per cent boost for W Living with the Petstock acquisition making itself known. The Australian Food business was up 3.8 per cent to $13.6 billion but new CEO, Amanda Bardwell, tempered expectations, saying the group expects Australian Food earnings for 1H25 to be below its forecast.