Food & Drink Business’ latest print issue is hitting desks, bringing readers up to speed with the innovations, partnerships and industry achievements shaping the Australian industry.

A billion dollar loss. A $3.5 billion dollar bet on Australian protein. And a reporting season that said more about manufacturing decisions than it did about margins. Welcome to the August edition of PLAY, your monthly wrap-up of the biggest stories shaping Australia’s food and beverage manufacturing industry. Let’s get into it.

Our Top 100 2025 edition of Food & Drink Business magazine is more than the annual flagship Top 100 Report. Industry leaders reflect on the year past and the one ahead, we provide our annual news review, M&A wrap-up, and all the executive moves, and a Roman-inspired sports drink, Posca, is our final Rising Star for 2025.

Top 100 2025: Inside the list

Food & Drink Business and IBISWorld present this year’s Top 100 companies, a ranking of Australia’s largest food and drink companies by revenue. This year reflects a sector positioning itself for immediate term viability and long-term competitiveness.

Sullivans Cove expands global reach

Tasmanian whisky distillery Sullivans Cove is increasing its presence in selected international markets as stocks produced following its landmark 2014 World Whiskies Awards win reach maturity.

Allied Pinnacle wins Arnott’s sustainability award

Allied Pinnacle has been recognised by The Arnott’s Group for its continued partnership to build a more sustainable wheat flour supply chain, following significant progress in reducing its carbon impact.

APISWA appoints new executive director

The Asia Pacific International Spirits and Wines Alliance (APISWA) has appointed Ian McKendrick as its new executive director.

PwC, OzHarvest expand partnership  

In a first for the professional services company, PwC, it will offer workplace opportunities for graduates of OzHarvest’s Nourish program. Nourish is part of the food rescue organisation’s social enterprise hospitality business, Gastronomy.  

Australia’s productivity gains “sitting in plain sight”

With Australia’s productivity slide concentrated in industries that make, move and sell physical goods, supply chain automation company, Dematic, says the national debate has been looking in the wrong building.

Seedlab tops $30m impact amid retail pressures

Seedlab Australia has supported more than 600 small FMCG businesses, generating over $30 million in combined program value and Woolworths sales.

Packaging News

Pope Packaging has completed the largest single project in its 70-year history, doubling printing capacity and increasing converting capacity at its South Australian paper sacks facility.

Element Logic has entered a strategic global partnership with Ranpak to integrate packaging automation, including box forming, right sizing and paper-based protection, into its warehouse solutions.

Peacock Group will bring its Peacock Bros. and insignia operations together at a purpose-built Dandenong South facility, increasing the two businesses’ combined warehouse and production footprint.