Since 2012, over a third of Australia’s 6200 dairy farmers have left the industry. Clive Phillips from Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute led a research project speaking to more than 140 dairy farmers, which raises hard questions for the dairy industry and its future in Australia.

The country and world’s best winners have been announced for the 2025 World Whiskies and Icons of Whisky Awards, at the Whisky Magazine Awards Gala Dinner in London on 26 March. From big name distillers to smaller, independent producers, the competition aims to spotlight the prestige and diversity of the global whisky market.

The Australian Marketing Institute (AMI) and T garage bring you some of the industry’s most experienced and engaged thought leaders to explore how innovation is reshaping the Fast- Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector.

Coles Liquor Group has decided to align all its Vintage Cellars and First Choice Liquor stores with the Liquorland brand, after a 16-week pilot program across 14 stores in South Australia, Victoria, and Queensland demonstrated increased brand awareness and customer engagement.

Campari Australia has announced the sale of its manufacturing site located in Derrimut, Victoria to Garage Beverages Manufacturing. Agreements have been signed for the purchase of the facility, with sale targeted for completion towards mid-2025.

The federal government handed down its last budget this week before the election, expected sometime in May. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the measures would help build a stronger economy, but the business response has been one largely of underwhelm – a lack of vision and real reform. For the food and beverage sector it was unsurprising with more tinkering around the edges with no meaningful policy development or direction.

Seedlab Australia has selected the latest cohort of entrepreneurs for Bootcamp 11, and opened applications for Bootcamp 12, continuing its mission to support the growth of early-stage FMCG businesses across Australia and New Zealand.

As costs rise, political uncertainty hangs over the US and Europe, and the skilled workforce grows ever-smaller, Australian manufacturers are looking for logical solutions closer to home – increasingly working to onshore manufacturing and investing in automation.

Fonterra has signed on with Circular Communities Australia’s big bag recovery program, which gives large industrial plastic bags new life by turning them into products made from recycled content.

Food & Fibre Gippsland (F&FG) CEO, Ben Gebert, is stepping down from his position effective immediately to pursue a directorial role, starting in mid-April, at Farmers for Climate Action.

Fonterra Co-operative Group says its interim net profit after tax (NPAT) of NZ$729m showed the co-op was making “good progress on implementing its strategy”.

Veolia has signed a $109 million contract to build, operate and maintain a state-of-the-art materials recovery facility (MRF) in Hume, ACT.

Congratulations to The Hive Awards finalists for 2025! This year's entries continued the high standards of innovation and excellence set by the inaugural program in 2024. The 2025 winners will be announced at a long lunch in Sydney on 8 May, so book your tables now. We can't wait to see you there!

Synlait Milk’s half year result to 31 January 2025 reported a net profit after tax (NPAT) of $4.8 million, up 105 per cent on the prior corresponding period (pcp). Acting CEO, Tim Carter, said the result was a “considerable commercial achievement”.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency has opened a second round of its Powering the Regions Fund: Industrial Transformation Stream program, with $70 million in additional funding available to support industrial decarbonisation solutions.

The first stage of the inaugural Australia-China Winemaker Immersion Program has wrapped up, with four Chinese winemakers heading home after three weeks of collaboration and learning during Treasury Wine Estates’ vintage season.