This week’s Top 5 stories

Take a look at the stories that caught everyone’s attention on the Food & Drink Business website this week: Arnott’s, Paco, UNSW team up for recycling research; Integra Foods’ new plant protein facility; MasterFoods’ spicy findings; Forbidden Foods inks deal with Edenvale Foods; and Endeavour Group pilots Australian-first cork recycling program. 

Video News Bulletin

Every week, Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry brings you the latest news in the food and beverage manufacturing sector. This week: Unilever, Cauldron, Horizons Ventures, SOSV, In-Q-Tel, Main Sequence, House of Reps inquiry, Forbidden Foods, Edenvale Foods, Australian Food Waste Challenge, Rocket Seeder, End Food Waste Australia, Integra Foods, Australian Grain Export, Synlait, Arnott's, Paco Industries, UNSW, Tacca Plastics, Pablo & Rusty's Coffee, and MasterFoods.

The Hive Awards is pleased to announce The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CommBank) as its Platinum sponsor. The awards program is an initiative of Food & Drink Business, Australia’s leading trade media platform for the food and beverage manufacturing industry.

When you are launching an industry awards program for the first time, it can be a leap for a potential sponsor to visualise what you can see so clearly in your head. Say hello to the inaugural sponsors of The Hive Awards.

Welcome to The Food & Drink Business Top 100 Food & Drink Companies 2023 report. Compiled in collaboration with IBISWorld, this flagship report ranks by revenue Australia’s biggest players in the food and drink sector. Who made it into the Top 10, which companies rose in the ranks with impressive revenue growth, and which ones fell – it’s a fascinating informative glimpse into Australia’s largest manufacturing sector.

Cadbury takes Accessible Easter Egg Hunt to Sydney

Following the success of its first-ever Accessible Easter Egg Hunt in 2023 hosted in Melbourne, Cadbury is continuing the event in Sydney at NextSense, a non-profit organisation providing services for Australians who are blind, have low vision, deaf or hard of hearing.

Asahi marks barley chain program success

Four years on from launching the Victorian Barley Program, Asahi Beverages hosted an evening with 30 of the state’s top barley farmers to mark the occasion.

Seven trends to watch in the wine industry

The global wine market is facing a number of challenges including structural volume declines in mature markets and an over-reliance on older drinkers, but opportunities remain in NoLo category strength and ecommerce. IWSR outlines seven key trends shaping the global wine industry in 2024.

Visitor registrations open for Naturally Good Expo 2024

Australia’s leading business expo for natural and healthy products, Naturally Good, is returning on 2-4 June at the Sydney International Convention Centre in Darling Harbour. Visitor registrations are now open.  

Consumer, Foodservice drive Fonterra's $674m FY24 interim profit

Fonterra Co-operative Group CEO Miles Hurrell says higher margins and sales volumes in the co-op's Foodservice and Consumer channels, which helped offset lower returns in its Ingredients business, were behind its strong performance in 1H24. 

A flavour affair: Australians and their spice racks

Australians’ love for their spice racks is clear in a new study conducted by MasterFoods, which revealed Australian’s spend an average of 13 days of their lives organising their spice racks. The trend has also been gaining momentum on social media, showcasing customisations from alphabetised shelves to Insta-worthy labels. 

Arnott’s, Paco, UNSW announce recycling research program

The Arnott’s Group, Paco Industries and the University of New South Wales will collaborate on a research program to progress technologies in recycling, bio plastics and carbon capture, addressing plastic packaging challenges facing the food and beverage industry.

Five key areas of future food systems you need to know

The recent Future Food Systems Conference in London saw experts from around the globe come together to discuss the complex challenges and opportunities of emerging food systems. Sustainability consultancy, Salterbaxter, shares its five key takeaways from the conference with Food & Drink Business readers.

Navigating food fraud

Food fraud has serious food safety and reputational impact, with unscrupulous organisations finding more sophisticated ways of duping companies and consumers. Global Quality lead for industry consultancy Campden BRI, Richard Leathers, outlines how to successfully navigate such threats.

More than just a good sausage

Sponsored

The strength of most meat businesses is product leadership, with excellent processes for competitive success. Metzgerei Stöckle OHG relies on CSB-System for improved performance and automation.

Integra Foods opens plant protein facility

Integra Foods, a subsidiary of Australian Grain Export (AGE), has launched its plant protein facility, located in AGE’s new $20 million vertically integrated precinct in Dublin, South Australia.

Time to be modern, not trendy

Who can resist a thorough round-up of packaging trends? Managing director of creative agency The Offices, Stephanie Oley, looks at how to tap into a trend without the pitfalls of falling for a fad.

Elixinol calls EGM for acquisition capital raise

Elixinol Wellness has called an EGM regarding the capital raise to fund its acquisition of Ananda Food. Elixinol is the parent company of Hemp Foods Australia, Mt Elephant, The Australian Superfood Company, and pet food brand Field Day.

Finding your manufacturing niche

With a 60-year history along with changing hands and direction over the years, specialised blender and packer Janbak has demerged from Earlee Products to further grow its reputation. Kim Berry speaks to managing director Michael Hamilton.

Dairyworks: A remodel with benefits

When New Zealand cheese company, Dairyworks, contacted Process Partners to install a new line, the food engineering firm offered another idea that would drive greater productivity, efficiency, and savings. Kim Berry speaks to Process Partners program manager – Food Manufacturing & Packaging, Craig Gilbert.

Packaging News

Earlier this month PKN published an article that voiced industry concern over the speculation that Qenos might be closing its polymer manufacturing plants in Australia. Qenos has remained silent on the matter. The MD of Qenos customer Impact International, Aleks Lajovic, wants some answers.

Amcor, a global leader in developing and producing responsible packaging solutions, is the proud recipient of eight FPA Awards for innovative and sustainable contributions to the industry.

An impressive number of quality entries into the inaugural Hive Awards created a highly competitive line-up for judges to consider. The packaging category was one of the most strongly contested.