Welcome to Food & Drink Business PLAY. Here are our top stories for February – from food safety and major retail scrutiny, to a big sustainability investment and a new global player backing an Australian beverage business.

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.

Wide Open Agriculture appoints new CEO

Regenerative food company, Wide Open Agriculture (WOA), has appointed Craig Swan as its new CEO, as the company prepares to advance the commercialisation of its lupin protein platform. He takes over from Matthew Skinner on 7 April.

AFGC launches electrification guide

The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) has released a new Electrification Fact Sheet in partnership with EnergyLink Services, giving food and grocery manufacturers a practical framework for reducing emissions through electrification.

Summer Land Camels raises $700k

Camel dairy farm, Summer Land Camels, has completed its OnMarket crowd-sourced funding campaign – raising over $700,000 from 460 investors to support the company’s international expansion.

Brooki appoints CEO to lead international expansion

Brooki Bakehouse has appointed Andrew Head as CEO, as the premium bakery brand prepares to accelerate its next phase of national and international expansion.

Federal R&D overhaul report released

A sweeping government review of Australia’s research and development system has recommended significant changes to tax incentives, manufacturing support and R&D funding to reshape how companies invest in innovation.

Yume acquired by Procurement Australia

Food redistribution platform, Yume Food Australia, has been acquired by Procurement Australia, after the company went into liquidation last November. The technology will now be re-established and operated under Procurement Australia’s ownership.

Packaging News

PKN’s latest quarterly print issue is hitting desks and landing in inboxes, bringing readers up to speed with the innovations, investments and strategic shifts shaping packaging across Australia and global markets in early 2026.

Ball & Doggett has officially opened the doors to its new Experience Hub in Brendale, Queensland, welcoming customers and industry partners for an exclusive launch event yesterday (18 March).

Australia’s plastic packaging manufacturers are bracing for a fresh supply chain shock, as escalating conflict in the Middle East begins to disrupt the flow of oil-derived resins into global markets.