South Australia-based Never Never Distilling Co will join Carlton & United Breweries’ stable, following its acquisition by CUB’s parent company, Asahi Beverages, for an undisclosed sum.

Five years ago, three friends decided to start making gin when there were only 10 local brands in the market. Kim Berry talks to the founders of Never Never Distilling Co on how they are keeping ahead of the pack.

Noumi recorded a positive third quarter, with revenue up 5.6 per cent to $137.5 million on 3Q23. Its Plant-based Milks business rose 12.5 per cent to $42.7 million, while Dairy and Nutritionals rose 2.8 per cent to $94.9 million.

Shareholders will be the beneficiaries of Woolworths Group selling five per cent of its stake in Endeavour Group. The block trade, at $5.22 per share, will raise $468 million, with Woolworths saying the proceeds would be returned to shareholders.

Coles Group reported a 5.1 per cent increase in sales revenue to $9.1 billion in 3Q24, with comparable sales growth of 4.2 per cent. The Group’s third-quarter sales up 3.4 per cent to just over $10 billion.

From a chance tasting in Los Angeles to seeing a gap in the Australian market, Emlyn Gavin and Oliver Budniak set about creating Australia’s first alcoholic kombucha, Bower Hard Kombucha. Pippa Haupt spoke to Emlyn Gavin.

General Mills and Coles have collaborated to support Foodbank Australia. In the month of May, for every packet of Latina Fresh Ricotta and Spinach Agnolotti sold in Coles, General Mills will donate a packet to Foodbank. The campaign builds on its existing monthly supply agreement with the food relief agency. 

Kakadu plum, a native bushfood, has proven to be a promising natural alternative to synthetic chemicals used to preserve meat, according to University of Queensland research.

Bubs Australia says its 3Q24 results show the company is on track to exceed its FY24 forecast of $100 million gross revenue, with an underlying gross margin of 40 per cent.

Confectionery company Yowie recorded a ($1.07 million) loss in 3Q24 due to cost overruns, with its Easter production and the planned shutdown of the Ernest Hillier factory for major upgrades.

The West Australian government says its two-year partnership with the Mid West Food Industries Alliance will build more competitive and innovative food industries and boost growth and employment in the region.

At its Koonunga Hill vineyard in the Barossa Valley, Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) has enclosed 14 hectares of luxury grape vines in a nylon canopy, as it prepares for more extreme climate events and changing regional conditions.

Endeavour Group says joining the Sustainable Wine Round Table will help it work with suppliers to develop and implement meaningful sustainability initiatives. Endeavour is the first Australian retailer to join SWR.

The seemingly unstoppable rise in ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages is well documented. So, what are the key factors driving this trend and the implications for the beverage companies manufacturing them? As Lion launches the RTD Kirin Hyoketsu Lemon into the on tap format, Lion’s RTD brand director, Penni Terrey, talks to Food & Drink Business about just what makes this category so successful and where it’s heading. 

Lyre’s Spirit Co and Edenvale received gold medals at the recent World Alcohol-Free Awards, with 11 Australian producers being recognised out of a field of 450 entries.

As almond growing and processor, Select Harvests, nears the end of the 2024 harvest, it says the 2024 crop may be lower than its original forecast, but it is on track to be one of the largest crops the company has ever produced.