Tasmania-based biotechnology company, Sea Forest, has marked the next step in its journey to reduce harmful methane emissions – partnering with Australian restaurant group, Three Blue Ducks, to serve the world’s first low-emissions steak, Sea Fed Beef.

More than two years in the making, the New South Wales Government has released its Innovation Blueprint, stating it will guide how the government will design projects, allocate funding, and work with stakeholders.

The recent Global Wine Trends Executive Summary 2024 report from beverage alcohol data and insights leader, IWSR, has shown wine volumes in most key markets will continue to decline over the next few years, but despite ongoing economic difficulties, opportunities remain to meet the needs of the next generation of more involved and adventurous consumers.

With the rising popularity of ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages in Australia, innovation is the key to breaking into the market. Reality TV personality, Aesha Scott, has partnered with Melbourne-based craft brewery, Moon Dog, to jump on this trend, with the launch of Drop Alcoholic Coconut Water & Vodka.

Plant-based protein production company, Australian Plant Proteins (APP), has been acquired by My Co, the investment vehicle for the Paule Family Office, which focuses on FABtech (Food, Agri & Bio) start-ups. APP was the first company in Australia to develop and commercialise a plant protein isolate powder.

Fonterra Co-operative Group has appointed Elizabeth (Liz) Coutts as chair-elect of Mainland Group, the proposed divestment entity of Fonterra’s global consumer business. This announcement follows the selection of René Dedoncker as CEO-elect and Paul Victor as CFO-elect in February.

Australian food and nutrition science company, FOODiQ Global, has launched ‘Mission MushVroom’, a first-time attempt to grow mushrooms in space. The experiment is taking place onboard the Fram2 mission, which launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket this week.

The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) is reviewing the relationship between growers and producers in the chicken meat supply chain, aiming to assess whether there is evidence of market failure within the industry and potential actions that could be introduced.

Since 2012, over a third of Australia’s 6200 dairy farmers have left the industry. Clive Phillips from Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute led a research project speaking to more than 140 dairy farmers, which raises hard questions for the dairy industry and its future in Australia.

The country and world’s best winners have been announced for the 2025 World Whiskies and Icons of Whisky Awards, at the Whisky Magazine Awards Gala Dinner in London on 26 March. From big name distillers to smaller, independent producers, the competition aims to spotlight the prestige and diversity of the global whisky market.

The Australian Marketing Institute (AMI) and T garage bring you some of the industry’s most experienced and engaged thought leaders to explore how innovation is reshaping the Fast- Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector.

Coles Liquor Group has decided to align all its Vintage Cellars and First Choice Liquor stores with the Liquorland brand, after a 16-week pilot program across 14 stores in South Australia, Victoria, and Queensland demonstrated increased brand awareness and customer engagement.

Campari Australia has announced the sale of its manufacturing site located in Derrimut, Victoria to Garage Beverages Manufacturing. Agreements have been signed for the purchase of the facility, with sale targeted for completion towards mid-2025.

The federal government handed down its last budget this week before the election, expected sometime in May. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the measures would help build a stronger economy, but the business response has been one largely of underwhelm – a lack of vision and real reform. For the food and beverage sector it was unsurprising with more tinkering around the edges with no meaningful policy development or direction.

Seedlab Australia has selected the latest cohort of entrepreneurs for Bootcamp 11, and opened applications for Bootcamp 12, continuing its mission to support the growth of early-stage FMCG businesses across Australia and New Zealand.

As costs rise, political uncertainty hangs over the US and Europe, and the skilled workforce grows ever-smaller, Australian manufacturers are looking for logical solutions closer to home – increasingly working to onshore manufacturing and investing in automation.