Read more
It's time to get your entries in for the 2026 Hive Awards. There are nine categories spanning the food and beverage manufacturing sector, providing the opportunity to recognise excellence in Australia’s food and beverage manufacturing industry. Read 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.
One of Queensland’s largest vegetable farming and production companies, Kalfresh, has received a joint $80 million investment from the Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) and Wollemi Capital to build Australia’s first integrated food and energy precinct.
Australian Vintage has flagged a stronger second half, saying it remains on track to deliver FY26 sales growth and free cash flow neutrality (excluding investments), despite a softer first half and break-even operating earnings.
Bega Group reported a 45 per cent surge in profit to $52 million in the first half of FY26, with EBITDA up almost 30 per cent to $133.4 million. The group also lifted its FY26 guidance to $222-227 million.
Inghams Group reported a 65 per cent drop in profit in the first half of FY26, causing the share price to fall almost 16 per cent, wiping $172 million from its market capitalisation.
With 2026 underway, Australia’s manufacturing industry is faced with some familiar pressures including rising costs, skills shortages, supply chain challenges, a complex regulatory environment and intense competition from imported goods. RSM Australia national manufacturing leader, Louis Quintal, offers insight on challenges and opportunities for the sector.
New research from RMIT University suggests saltbush could help food manufacturers improve protein quality and reduce the reliance on added salt in staple foods. The drought-tolerant shrub has been used as bush tucker by Indigenous Australians for thousands of years.
The Brewers Association of Australia CEO, Amanda Watson, has stepped down from the role. Watson, who became CEO in July 2025, said she was pursuing a different career direction.
Close the Loop Limited has reported mixed half-year results for the period ended 31 December 2025, with its Packaging Division delivering double-digit growth and providing a stabilising influence across the Group.
Fonterra Oceania has rolled out Amcor’s AmPrima Recycle-Ready flexible packaging for shredded cheese, replacing multi-material laminates in one of dairy’s most technically demanding formats.
The Magnum Ice Cream Company has partnered with Australian clean-tech company Seabin in a move aimed at tracking and reducing ice cream packaging waste in Sydney Harbour, and using the data to inform future action.
