Calabria Family Wine Group has taken over Australian distribution for House of Fine Wine and The Wine Company – including products from Groupe Bollinger, Villa Maria, and Tahbilk. The company will manage all on‑premise and independent retail distribution nationally.

Entries for the 2026 Hive Awards are open, but the clock is ticking, with 2.5 weeks left to get your entries in – the closing date is 13 March. There are nine awards up for grabs, with three new categories this year – Best Food Product, Best Beverage, and Best NPD.

Suntory Oceania has announced two new three-year partnerships with The Dylan Alcott Foundation in Australia and Recreate NZ in New Zealand, investing more than $450,000 to support young adults living with disability.

Woolworths Group has achieved 100 per cent renewable electricity powering its business across Australia and New Zealand. The milestone is projected to deliver a reduction of over 74 per cent in operational emissions.

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.

Cobram Estate Olives reported a weaker 1HFY26 result on earnings and profit, but held packaged goods sales broadly flat, grew its flagship Cobram Estate brand, and significantly strengthened its balance sheet ahead of the proposed California Olive Ranch (COR) acquisition.

The New South Wales government has invested $52 million to support the renewable manufacturing sector, including $20 million for Optimal Renewable Gas to convert agricultural organic waste from farms into a gas fuel at its Griffith Biohub.

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.  

Murray Cod Australia non-executive director, Steven Chaur, will become managing director and CEO from 20 April 2026. Mat Ryan and Roger Commins will remain as Interim joint CEOs until that time.

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.

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.

Australian Food Pact signatories generated $12 million in additional revenue in 2025 by converting unsold food into higher-value outcomes, including new product development and commercial redistribution, according to End Food Waste Australia.

Melbourne-born functional lifestyle beverage brand, Bae Juice, has continued to reach for the stars since starting out in 2019, with the company recording one of its biggest seasons yet – selling one pack of its anti-hangover Korean pear juice every 12 seconds in December 2026.