Australian supply chain data provider, Escavox, has launched a new app designed for operators who work with fresh food and other perishable consignments in the cold chain.

Investment in agrifoodtech in Australia fell almost 25 per cent to US$317 million last year, but fared better than the APAC region, which dropped 58 points, a new report by agrifoodtech venture capital firm AgFunder found. Globally the fall was 44 per cent.

Cleaver’s Organic Meat is celebrating a number of recent industry accolades, including Silver at the Sydney Royal Fine Food Show, and supplier recognition at the 2023 Meat Standards Australia (MSA) Excellence awards.

Handpicked Wines has settled its acquisition of House of Arras from Accolade Wines. Chief winemaker Ed Carr and the winery and vineyard teams at Pipers River will remain under the new ownership.

SPC Global says its capital raise is aimed at the local Goulburn Valley community to allow them to invest in a business deeply connected to the area. The target to raise is $15 to $20 million.

Dollar Sweets’ Fairy Bread Day is set for 24 November, with The Pyjama Foundation announced as the 2023 charity partner. Over the past three years, the initiative has raised over $85,000 for Australian youth.

Take a look at the stories that caught everyone’s attention on the Food & Drink Business website this week: Sara Lee enters voluntary administration; Foodbank’s annual Hunger Report spotlights cost of living pressures; wine tarriffs set for review; Providoor returns, and Fever Tree’s global mixer success.

WA food and beverage businesses connected with local, national and international buyers at the third annual Buy West Eat Best Meet the Buyer trade event, with a turnout of 80 exhibitors.

Victoria Bitter, VB, is saluting all the champs, weapons, old mates, and more with its new limited-edition stubby range. There are 60 nicknames being rolled out, inspired by Aussie worksites.

TasFoods is capitalising on people’s insatiable love for their pets by launching a premium pet treat brand, Isle & Sky. Australia’s pet food market is worth around $3 billion with at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.7 per cent.

At Bega Group’s AGM this week, chair Barry Irwin said the company’s six-year strategy to transform from a mainly commodity business to a branded one came to fruition in FY23.

One hundred years ago, businessman Fred Walker and young chemist, Dr Cyril Callister, created a nutritional spread they called Vegemite, with little idea it would become a beloved Australian product, and icon, for generations to come.

The Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) says it is more important to get the free trade agreement (FTA) with the EU right, rather than right now.

Almost 20 years ago, the launch of Fever Tree tonic water transformed the mixer drink market. Kim Berry speaks to the company’s ANZ managing director, Andy Gaunt, about its growth and plans for the region.

Melbourne-based digital marketing agency, From Little Things, has launched Mates Rates, an online membership platform to connect consumers with Australian-owned brands.

Agrifood and beverage vouchers worth up to $20,000 are now available as part of an ongoing program by the West Australian government for small to medium-sized food and beverage businesses across the state.