Read more
From regional manufacturers to global powerhouses, the finalists in The Hive Awards 2026 have it covered. Congratulations to the 45 people and companies that made the cut, in a highly competitive field of entries. Winners will be announced at the annual Hive Awards Long Lunch, in Sydney, on 21 May. Read more
Welcome to PLAY Food & Drink Business news review for April. It was a big month – a global deal that reshapes the flavour industry, a significant structural shift at Australia’s national science body, and some frustrating news for the food relief sector. Let’s get into it.
Welcome to the latest issue of Food & Drink Business, the first quarterly issue for 2026. We have an extensive look at the trends in driving consumer behaviour and the opportunities they create for manufacturers. Our cover story is on the partnership between Process Partners and Bulla to deliver a world-class ice cream plant. And there is so much more.
Our Top 100 2025 edition of Food & Drink Business magazine is more than the annual flagship Top 100 Report. Industry leaders reflect on the year past and the one ahead, we provide our annual news review, M&A wrap-up, and all the executive moves, and a Roman-inspired sports drink, Posca, is our final Rising Star for 2025.
Food & Drink Business and IBISWorld present this year’s Top 100 companies, a ranking of Australia’s largest food and drink companies by revenue. This year reflects a sector positioning itself for immediate term viability and long-term competitiveness.
Coles Group has posted four per cent supermarkets sales growth for the third quarter of FY26, driven by volume and eCommerce gains, while its Liquor division recorded a 3.9 per cent revenue decline amid soft consumer sentiment.
Glenorchy City Council has just approved plans for the $150 million Chocolate Experience set to be built at the Cadbury Factory waterfront parklands in Tasmania, and completed by September 2028.
A senate inquiry into CSIRO funding and resourcing has warned Australia’s sovereign research capability is under pressure from job cuts, declining real funding, ageing infrastructure and uncertainty over the national science agency’s strategic direction.
New Zealand based agtech company, Halter, has completed a $314.5 million Series E funding round, achieving a new $2.86 billion valuation. The company plans to use the funding to expand commercialisation of its virtual fencing and animal management system in Australia and the United States.
The New South Wales government is investing a further $3.79 million in the state’s aquaculture industry, with four Shoalhaven projects selected under the Aquaculture Industry Development Program.
Western Australian independent foodservice distributor, New West Foods, has acquired Perth-based producer and distributor of European-style foods and beverages, European Foods.
Pure Foods Tasmania has reversed $4.5 million in deferred tax assets following a review by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), with the writedown representing 31 per cent of the company’s total assets.
The federal government has responded to recommendations made for the National Organic Standard Bill 2024, over a year after the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee released its inquiry report.
The Australian Industry Group – Confectionery Sector’s annual conference is marking its 30th anniversary at its 2026 event on 2 June, at the MCG in Melbourne.
PulPac has signed Australian packaging company Zipform Packaging as a licensee of its Dry Molded Fiber technology, to accelerate the development of fibre-based solutions for food packaging applications.
Following a rigorous two-stage judging process, finalists in the 2026 Women in Packaging Awards have been selected, reflecting the depth of talent, leadership and innovation shaping Australasia’s packaging sector.
Australia’s plastic packaging industry bracing for prolonged disruption, as conflict in the Middle East continues to drive sharp increases in resin costs, freight rates and supply uncertainty.
