June/July issue out now

Welcome to the June/July issue of Food & Drink Business magazine. We catch-up on the latest for the RTD market with Lion's director of RTD and Spirits, Albertus Lombard, and furthering our Beverage Business feature T Garage provides its insights on natural beverages and opportunities for brands. And while winter is upon us, it is certainly not dampening the joy and success of this year's Hive Awards as our wrap-up and gallery attest. These stories and so much more are ready for your reading. Enjoy. 

Personalised food, sustainability, alternative protein sources, and the growing influence of private labels are major themes for the food and beverage sector. A recent webinar hosted by Anuga and its knowledge partner, Innova Market Insights, identified key trends currently at play and emerging.

From printing to publishing, Yaffa Media has always been about its people and niche audiences. Founded in 1925, it is one of Australia’s largest independent media companies. This year marks a centenary of storytelling.

Food & Drink Business presents its annual flagship Top 100 Food & Drink Companies Report for 2024. Compiled in collaboration with IBISWorld, the report ranks by revenue Australia’s biggest players in the food and drink sector. It’s your go-to industry resource into Australia’s largest manufacturing sector.

Top Shelf capital raise, new distribution agreement

Top Shelf International is launching a $10 million capital raise to fund business restructuring, operational expenditure, and working capital as it finalises a third-party distribution deal with Amber Beverage Australia.

Emerson report delivers 14 recommendations for wine sector

An imbalance in bargaining power and the need for a mandatory code of conduct are two of the 14 recommendations put forward by Dr Craig Emerson, following his 10-month review of the trade and competition dynamics in the grape and wine sector.

Bega teams up with FrieslandCampina for Fonterra bid

Bega Group has allegedly joined forces with global dairy giant FrieslandCampina in its bid to acquire Fonterra Co-operative Group’s Mainland business. There are two other players in the ring for Mainland – Japanese food company Meiji Holdings Co and French dairy giant Lactalis.

Organics certifier NASAA goes into VA

Around 400 companies have been impacted by the collapse of organic certification company, NASAA Certified Organic (NCO), including Fonterra Australia, SunRice, Bellamy’s Organic, and Costa Farms.

Biotech start-up eclipses ingredient possibilities

Biotech start-up, Eclipse Ingredients, is using precision fermentation to unlock ingredients previously unavailable while offering a more scalable and sustainable approach to traditional ingredient production. Spun out of national science agency, CSIRO, Eclipse was co-founded by Siobhan Coster.

Food science in action

With more than a third of Australians never having heard about jobs titled food scientist or food technologist, it is more important than ever to promote the vital work these jobs play. Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology CEO, Fiona Fleming, offers insight.

Applications open for evokeAG. Groundbreakers

Applications are now open for the evokeAG. 2026 Groundbreakers program, an opportunity for the next generation of agrifood innovators to develop their research projects and present them on a global stage.

Functional beverages: health as a purchasing motive

Changing consumer habits mean that functional beverages are becoming increasingly important for the beverage industry. This article from Drintec provides an overview of changing purchasing behaviour in an international context.

A handbook for environmental monitoring

Environmental monitoring is a critical component of food safety programs, involving sampling and testing the environment and equipment within a food manufacturing facility to help prevent cross-contamination of finished products. Neogen has released the second edition of its handbook for the sector.

Rethinking food labelling

Recent research from the University of Queensland has shown that food labelling is out of step with healthy diet recommendations and could be improved by including nutrient release rates.

Packaging News

Spicers is set to expand its sustainable packaging portfolio in Australia following a strategic alliance between its parent company, KPP Group Holdings, and materials innovator Papkot.

Melbourne-based packaging innovator Onpack has joined forces with fast-rising hydration brand Rippl to deliver a sustainable, fast-turnaround packaging solution that merges high-quality digital printing with fully recyclable aluminium cans.

Big Bag Recovery has partnered with GT Recycling as its new processing partner to strengthen local recycling and circular economy outcomes in Victoria.