In the ultimate “it’s just not cricket” news, Belgian researchers have used a machine learning method to make better tasting alcoholic and non-alcoholic beers.

With a federal inquiry into food and beverage manufacturing in Australia announced last week, committee chair Rob Mitchell is calling for companies of all sizes to share their experiences. CEO of the Sunshine Coast project, Turbine, Andrew Eves-Brown says it’s timely due to the current focus on SMEs in the sector.

A delegation of West Australian sheep and cattle producers is on a mission to the UK, meeting with market buyers and hoping to unlock new trade opportunities for the state. 

The high achieving world of automation – the side of industry many never see – is opening up a broad range of satisfying careers for women entering STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), automation and robotic fields. Swisslog ANZ senior solution architect, Sally Renwick, explores the opportunities.

An impressive number of quality entries across The Hive Awards’ nine categories created a highly competitive line-up for judges to consider the exemplar of excellence and innovation in Australia’s food and beverage manufacturing sector.

The West Australian government’s Agrifood and Beverage Voucher Program has completed its fifth round, awarding 61 SMEs access to expert advice on building resilience, sustainability, competitiveness, scale, and export preparedness into their operations.

A study by LaTrobe University researchers found German and American consumers found foods labelled plant-based were more appealing than products marked as vegan or vegetarian, but does the finding ring true for Australians?

The Australian Distillers Association and Diageo Australia say economic modelling they commissioned show the spirits industry has the potential to rival wine exports and become a $1 billion export powerhouse if policy and regulatory barriers were eased.

Four years on from launching the Victorian Barley Program, Asahi Beverages hosted an evening with 30 of the state’s top barley farmers to mark the occasion.

Following the success of its first-ever Accessible Easter Egg Hunt in 2023 hosted in Melbourne, Cadbury is continuing the event in Sydney at NextSense, a non-profit organisation providing services for Australians who are blind, have low vision, deaf or hard of hearing.

The global wine market is facing a number of challenges including structural volume declines in mature markets and an over-reliance on older drinkers, but opportunities remain in NoLo category strength and ecommerce. IWSR outlines seven key trends shaping the global wine industry in 2024.

Australia’s leading business expo for natural and healthy products, Naturally Good, is returning on 2-4 June at the Sydney International Convention Centre in Darling Harbour. Visitor registrations are now open.  

End Food Waste Australia (EFWA) says its Sector Action Plan for the horticulture industry provides nine clear actions to reduce food waste starting at the farm, then along every stage of the supply chain, through to the shelf. Fresh produce accounts for 50 per cent of all food waste in Australia.

Elixinol Wellness has called an EGM regarding the capital raise to fund its acquisition of Ananda Food. Elixinol is the parent company of Hemp Foods Australia, Mt Elephant, The Australian Superfood Company, and pet food brand Field Day.

Fonterra Co-operative Group CEO Miles Hurrell says higher margins and sales volumes in the co-op's Foodservice and Consumer channels, which helped offset lower returns in its Ingredients business, were behind its strong performance in 1H24. 

Unilever says cutting 7500 jobs from the company around the world and separating the ice cream business (including Ben & Jerry’s and Magnum) will create a “simpler, more focused company”.