This is your final call for the 2026 Hive Awards, recognising innovation and excellence across the food and beverage manufacturing industry! We heard the buzz, busy bees, and extended the deadline for entries to the 2026 Hive Awards until this Thursday, 19 March. Head to thehiveawards.com.au for more information and to enter. You've got two days left – go, go, go!
If you missed out in 2024 or 2025, we urge you to enter again this year – we have brought in three new categories to reflect feedback from last year and the current business environment.
The Categories
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.
Some tips on entering
- Look at how each section is weighted and complete that section accordingly.
- The judges are looking for quantifiable, concrete evidence that supports your entry, not a promotion of your product or company.
- Read the award categories carefully – if you’re unsure of which category to enter, please email us and we will provide some guidance.
Get buzzing folks, you now have seven days to get your entry in.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Entries close: Thursday, 19 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
The Hive Awards sponsors
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. Contact national sales manager, Sharon Amos, for the full rundown of options.
