The Australian government has signed an agreement with China that aims to establish stronger agricultural ties and opportunities for collaboration and co-operation on organic goods.

The 2024 Annual Food and Grocery Code Independent Reviewer’s Survey is underway, with the federal government encouraging farmers and suppliers to submit feedback on their dealings with the major supermarkets – Coles, Woolworths, Aldi and Metcash.

The National Farmers Federation Horticulture Council says it cannot support the mandatory Food and Grocery Code of Conduct if it is based on the exposure draft released last month. The proposed mandatory code implements the 11 recommendations made in the Emerson review, to start on 1 April 2025.

Australian Greek yoghurt producer, The Yoghurt Shop, has expanded into Saudi Arabia, with an official launch at Tamimi Markets in Riyadh. Based in Adelaide, South Australia, the family-owned business launched in 2003.

For 146 years, XXXX has carved out a deeply loyal following and become one of Australia’s most recognised beer brands – but even an icon must evolve to keep its currency and attract new followers. Kim Berry speaks to the team from XXXX’s parent company, Lion, about changing consumer tastes and how its launch of XXXX Ultra Zero Carb is rising to the challenge.

Research platform, Growth Scope, has delved into Australian drinking habits, with insights showing alcohol consumption is significantly higher than standard guidelines.

After an investigation, the ACCC will not be opposing the proposed acquisition of Pernod Ricard Winemakers by Australian Wine HoldCo, through its subsidiary Accolade.

The winners of the 2024 South Australian Premier’s Business and Export Awards have been announced, with food, wine and agriculture companies all receiving nods.

The federal Anti-Dumping Commission is investigating allegations made by SPC that Italy is dumping tinned tomatoes on the Australian market at reduced and subsidised prices, causing material injury to the Australian industry.

Welcome to our penultimate print edition of 2024. The next edition is our flagship Australia’s Top 100 Food & Drink Companies report in December. The bottle of Lion's latest ultra low carb beer on the cover is a slight deviation from our normal cover models of processing equipment, packaging materials, and ingredients, but it provides the launch pad into how breweries are combatting a declining consumption rate.

Beverage company, Lion, has commissioned its $7.2 million Reverse Osmosis Water Recycling Plant at its Tooheys brewery in Lidcombe, estimated to save 270 million litres of water each year.

Dolmio, Sodexo, and Foodbank once again joined forces on World Food Day to cook over 7000 meals for people experiencing food insecurity on the New South Wales Central Coast.

Australia’s largest and oldest dairy co-operative, Norco Co-operative, has been recognised as Business of the Year in the 2024 Northern Rivers Business Awards. The co-op also took home the Excellence in Sustainability Award, and CEO, Michael Hampson, received the Outstanding Business Leader Award.

Agri-food tech accelerator, SparkLabs Cultiv8, has held its 2024 Showcase in Orange, enticing 200 agtech investors, innovators and researchers to its pitch event.

RMIT University has conducted a study for End Food Waste Australia on cutting down food waste in hospitality, with potential for small businesses to save thousands of dollars.

Safework Australia’s Key Work Health and Safety Statistics 2024 reveals there were 200 people fatally injured at work last year, and while Australia’s work-related injury rate is about one-third the global rate, its impact is significant. This year’s Workplace Health & Safety Show starts today at Sydney Showground, with a program designed to strengthen safety culture in Australian businesses.