With Coca-Cola’s acquisition of Billson’s Beverages finalising, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) is taking on the responsibilities of sales and distribution for the brand’s range of alcoholic ready-to-drink (ARTD) beverages. In an exclusive with Food & Drink Business, CCEP general manager – Licensed, Australia, Mitchell Lenaghan, and Coca‑Cola vice president of ARTD, ASEAN and South Pacific (ASP), Matthias Blume, explain what it means for the business.

Victorian distillers are set to receive government support to expand production, with the opening of applications for the Business Growth Fit-for Purpose grants, as part of the $20 million Distillery Door Program launched in 2021.

The Senate Committee has released its report on the National Organic Standard Bill 2024, which took 26 submissions from stakeholders into consideration to decide how to proceed with regulating organic products in Australia.

Entries are now open for the 2025 Hive Awards, and close 21 February. Check out 2024's Business Excellence Award (Headcount >75) winner, The Dinner Ladies.

Treasury Wine Estates says its walking away from trying to sell its Commercial brands portfolio because the offers received were too low to be considered. At the Premium end of its business, Penfolds delivered an “outstanding result”.

The National Farmers Federation Horticulture Council is calling for an independent review of the national food safety regulators developing new food standards, focused on the updated regulations introduced for berries, leafy vegetables and melons yesterday.

The launch of Allied Pinnacle’s product range using the high fibre wheat brand, Wise Wheat, has been more than 20 years in the making. Following decades of R&D, the wheat contains six times the fibre of regular wheat flour without impacting the texture or flavour of the finished product.

To mark the 50th anniversary of the National Wine Show of Australia, the nation’s capital will host a four-day festival from 12-15 June, set to become an annual tourism event – the National Wine Festival of Australia.

Entries are now open for the 2025 Hive Awards, and close 21 February. Check out 2024's Local Manufacturing Award winner, Openway Food Co.

The government has released its Strategic Examination of R&D discussion paper, prepared by the panel members announced in December, led by Tesla chair and former Telstra CFO, Robyn Denholm.

Breakthrough Victoria has appointed Rod Bristow as its new chief executive officer, managing the Victorian government’s $2 billion Breakthrough Victoria fund. He takes over from inaugural CEO Grant Dooley, who decided to step down in August 2024.

At the end of last week (5pm, 7 February) confectioner Yowie Group called in its loan facility with its major shareholder, Keybridge Capital Limited. Three days later Keybridge went into voluntary administration.

Macadamia company, Marquis Group, has reported a strong 2024 harvest season, closing out with empty warehouses. Growers benefited from a significant increase in the Notional Price, which rose from $1.80/kg in 2023 to $3.20/kg in 2024.

Maxum Foods latest dairy commodity update paints a picture of a still-volatile market, as shifting milk output trends and evolving trade policies impact producers.

A study by The George Institute for Global Health has found only 63 per cent of alcohol products in Australia displayed the mandatory pregnancy warning label, despite being given a three-year period to phase in.

After years of pandemic-driven spikes and subsequent corrections, the latest data from IWSR shows ecommerce sales of alcoholic beverages are forecast to surpass $36 billion by 2028, reflecting a 20 per cent increase in value over the next five years.