Award-winning South Australian distillery, Prohibition Liquor, has undertaken one of the state’s largest equity crowdfunding raises, aiming to raise $4 million with support from its enthusiastic fanbase.

For the beverage and liquid food industries, all roads lead to Munich this September, where the world’s biggest trade show – drinktec – will take place. With only eight months to go, preparations are in full swing for the industry’s global summit, set to run from 15-19 September 2025 at the Munich exhibition centre.

Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, has launched a national isotope database, set to support the verification of sustainability and provenance claims for Australian food.

Unilever CEO and board director, Hein Schumacher, is stepping down on 1 March after less than 2 years in the job, a decision the company said was “by mutual agreement”. The position will be filled by current CFO and executive director, Fernando Fernandez.

The inaugural Australia-China Winemaker Immersion Program is underway, having held its opening ceremony this week at the Shanghai office of Penfolds brand, Treasury Wine Estates (TWE).

Suntory Oceania has appointed Dai Minato as CEO of Suntory Beverage & Food Oceania, effective from April, as the business gears up for the launch of its $3 billion multi-beverage business in mid-2025.

Every week, Food & Drink Business editor, Kim Berry, brings you the latest news from the food and beverage manufacturing sector. This week: In the news this week: THE HIVE AWARDS FINAL CALL, Woolworths, Australian Vintage, Perfection Fresh, federal excise remission cap changes, Arnotts, Sydney Brewery, Sonoma Bread, Berkelo Bakery and RMIT. 

Woolworths interim 1H25 results revealed a 20 per cent drop in net profit after tax (NPAT) to $739 million and a 14 per cent drop in group earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) to $1.45 billion. CEO Amanda Bardwell said the results were disappointing and announced there would be $400 million in cost cutting. 

Researchers from RMIT University have received the Problem Solver People’s Choice at the Universities Australia’s Shaping Australia Awards for their coffee concrete, which can turn waste coffee grounds into building materials.

Wine Australia’s Next Crop program is expanding to four regions for 2025, delivered by Coonawarra Grape and Wine, Barossa Australia, Wine Victoria and the Queensland Wine Industry Association.

The results of the 2025 Sydney Royal Cheese & Dairy Produce Show are in, celebrating products across the industry. This year had the highest medal rating to date, with over 91 per cent of entries receiving a gold, silver, or bronze medal.

The latest research from global beverage alcohol data company, IWSR, has shown the global drinks industry is facing a “subdued but opportunity-rich” trading environment in 2025, with five key trends set to shape the year ahead.

Australian Vintage’s interim financial report for FY25 reflected “early progress” in turning the winemaker’s fortunes around, CEO Craig Garvin said. He also took the opportunity to launch Poco Vino, saying the format-based wine will create a new category in the wine industry.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commision (ACCC) has announced its 2025–26 Compliance and Enforcement Priorities, renewing all priorities from 2024-25, and adding twelve added focuses to meet current challenges.

End-to-end winemaking services company, Hirsch Wine Group, has modernised its wine production, with the introduction of a fully automated bottling line, and expansion of its facilities to include 6000 square meters of temperature-controlled storage.

The poultry company reported a 17 per cent drop in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) to $210 million and a 19 per cent drop in net profit after tax (NPAT) to $51.5 million in 1H FY25 on the prior corresponding period (pcp).