• The Hive Awards have officially launched for 2026. Created to recognise excellence in Australia’s food and beverage manufacturing industry and powered by Australia’s premier media platform for the sector, Food & Drink Business, entries are now open across nine categories. Source: Yaffa Media
    The Hive Awards have officially launched for 2026. Created to recognise excellence in Australia’s food and beverage manufacturing industry and powered by Australia’s premier media platform for the sector, Food & Drink Business, entries are now open across nine categories. Source: Yaffa Media
  • The winners of the 2025 Hive Awards have been recognised and celebrated as some of Australia's most innovative food and beverage manufacturers over the past year.
    The winners of the 2025 Hive Awards have been recognised and celebrated as some of Australia's most innovative food and beverage manufacturers over the past year.
  • Gina's Table took home The Hive Award's 2025 Golden Hive for its leadership, innovation, and commitment to reducing food waste through value-added processing.
    Gina's Table took home The Hive Award's 2025 Golden Hive for its leadership, innovation, and commitment to reducing food waste through value-added processing.
  • Linseed House was abuzz all afternoon, as like-minded industry leaders caught up over lunch.
    Linseed House was abuzz all afternoon, as like-minded industry leaders caught up over lunch.
  • Aquafab has taken home the Best Ingredient Award at the Hive Awards 2025 for its novel approach to replicating egg whites in cocktails.
    Aquafab has taken home the Best Ingredient Award at the Hive Awards 2025 for its novel approach to replicating egg whites in cocktails.
  • With its “Gourmet Plus” positioning, midway between indulgent and health-focused products, Elato Ice Cream was awarded the Rising Star Hive Award.
    With its “Gourmet Plus” positioning, midway between indulgent and health-focused products, Elato Ice Cream was awarded the Rising Star Hive Award.
  • KoolPak by TomKat Global Solutions received the 2025 Gamechanger Award for its breakthrough in sustainable cold chain logistics, offering a reusable and recyclable alternative to environmentally damaging expanded polystyrene (EPS).
    KoolPak by TomKat Global Solutions received the 2025 Gamechanger Award for its breakthrough in sustainable cold chain logistics, offering a reusable and recyclable alternative to environmentally damaging expanded polystyrene (EPS).
  • Bundaberg-based Gina's Table has earned the Gamechanger Award at the Hive Awards 2025 for its leadership in reducing food waste through value-added processing, diverting more than 252 tonnes of produce from landfill to date.
    Bundaberg-based Gina's Table has earned the Gamechanger Award at the Hive Awards 2025 for its leadership in reducing food waste through value-added processing, diverting more than 252 tonnes of produce from landfill to date.
  • The Hirsch Wine Group has been awarded the Excellence in Value Innovation Award for its vertically integrated winemaking model.
    The Hirsch Wine Group has been awarded the Excellence in Value Innovation Award for its vertically integrated winemaking model.
  • Treasury Wine Estates won the Best Technology Award for setting a new global benchmark with the world’s first fully automated barrel management system at its Barossa Valley facility.
    Treasury Wine Estates won the Best Technology Award for setting a new global benchmark with the world’s first fully automated barrel management system at its Barossa Valley facility.
  • Sydney-based Packserv has won the Local Manufacturing Award for its commitment to onshore equipment development for the Australian food and beverage industry.
    Sydney-based Packserv has won the Local Manufacturing Award for its commitment to onshore equipment development for the Australian food and beverage industry.
  • Chobani Australia has received the Best Packaging Award for its Gippsland Dairy Crafted 150g pot. The packaging features a clear PET pot with embossed branding, a heat-sealed foil lid, and a recyclable paperboard sleeve printed with soy-based ink.
    Chobani Australia has received the Best Packaging Award for its Gippsland Dairy Crafted 150g pot. The packaging features a clear PET pot with embossed branding, a heat-sealed foil lid, and a recyclable paperboard sleeve printed with soy-based ink.
  • Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) has been recognised with the Outstanding Business Achievement Award for its performance in operational excellence, innovation, and sustainability.
    Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) has been recognised with the Outstanding Business Achievement Award for its performance in operational excellence, innovation, and sustainability.
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Entries now open for The Hive Awards 2026

By Kim Berry | 28 January 2026

The Hive Awards have officially launched for 2026. Created to recognise excellence in Australia’s food and beverage manufacturing industry and powered by Australia’s premier media platform for the sector, Food & Drink Business, entries are now open across nine categories.

In the Awards’ third year, Food & Drink Business editor, Kim Berry, said as the program has matured so too has the calibre of entries. 

“This year we have introduced new categories and reworked others. As awareness of the Awards continues to grow, we expect competition to be even tighter this year. The rising costs and tight margin pressures we have seen impact this vital – and Australia’s largest – manufacturing sector in recent years look set to continue.

“With that operating environment backdrop, we created the awards to recognise – and celebrate – the people and companies that embody the excellence and innovation we report on every day,” Berry said. 

The Hive Awards were named as such to reflect the complexity, inter-connectedness, ambition, and tirelessness of Australia’s food and drink manufacturing sector. We couldn’t go past the concept of bees and their hive, a flawless system that runs 24/7, driven by a dedicated and determined workforce to consistently deliver a product to the highest standard.

The Sponsors of Hive 2026

Food & Drink Business is thrilled to announce The Commonwealth Bank of Australia has returned as our Headline Sponsor for the third year in a row. Heat and Control is back as the award’s Silver Sponsor, as is Bronze Sponsor Process Partners. And welcome to our new Bronze Sponsors, HMPS and Total Construction. And thanks to APPMA for signing on as our Industry Partner once more.

It’s not too late to show your support for the Awards and become a sponsor. Email national sales manager, Sharon Amos, for the full rundown of options.

The Categories

There are 10 awards and entries close on Friday, 13 March. Click here for more information and to enter.

Best Ingredient

Celebrating breakthrough ingredients transforming taste, texture, nutrition, or sustainability.

Best NPD

Honouring standout new products that turn smart ideas into market success.

Best Beverage

Recognising bold innovation and craftsmanship.

Best Food Product

Spotlighting food innovations winning over consumers.

Best Packaging

Rewarding clever, sustainable, and standout packaging that elevates a product.

Best Tech

Showcasing smart technology driving the future of food and beverage manufacturing.

Local Manufacturer

Celebrating Australian makers leading with innovation, integrity, and impact.

Rising Star / Emerging Leader

Recognising rising talent shaping the next generation of industry leadership.

Gamechanger

Honouring the innovators redefining what’s possible in food and beverage.

The Golden Hive

The Golden Hive recipient is selected by Food & Drink Business from the category winners.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Entries open: Wednesday, 28 January 2026

Entries close: Friday, 13 March 2026

Finalists announced: Monday, 13 April 2026

The Hive Awards: Thursday, 21 May 2026

WHERE TO FIND ALL THE INFORMATION YOU
NEED TO ENTER

 

Thehiveawards.com.au

 

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