The Australian almond industry continues to bloom with the latest figures revealing 60 per cent growth in the value of almond exports this year. Julie Haslett, CEO of the representative body the Almond Board of Australia (ABA), said the increase in the global demand for almonds has contributed to the growth of Australia’s horticultural exports. “World almond consumption has been growing at an average rate of nine per cent per annum over the last 10 years,” she noted. “Assuming... ...Read more »

There is no question that demand for healthy food is growing across most developed economies and a new survey has sought to find out just what consumers perceive to be healthy. The health and wellness boom, as it has been dubbed, has reportedly not been derailed by the global financial crisis, with opportunities still in high supply. According to the new International Food Information Council (IFIC) FunctionalFoods/Foods for Health Consumer Trending Survey, carried out in the US, eighty-nine per... ...Read more »

Demand for caged eggs is waning and Australia’s largest supermarket chain is reportedly planning to cut the number of brands in the category as a result. Woolworths has denied reports they will rid their stores of all caged eggs, but they will separate their eggs more clearly, reduce the number of caged brands and phase out their own Woolworths Select caged egg brand that accounts for around 5 per cent of sales. ”We are about to change the layout of how we display eggs, so we’re... ...Read more »

As world sugar prices surge to their highest levels since the 80s, some of the largest US food manufacturers are concerned that import curbs in America could see the country “virtually run out of sugar”, the Wall Street Journal reported. A host of household names – including Kraft, Mars and General Mills – reportedly wrote a letter to American Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack advising of the prospect of a severe shortage of sugar used in confectionery, cereal and thousands... ...Read more »

All sides of politics must sit down and negotiate a solution to emissions trading that won’t put Australian manufacturing jobs at risk after the Government’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) legislation was defeated in the Senate today, the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) suggested. AFGC Chief Executive Kate Carnell contends that the CPRS Bill would have forced Australians to pay more for home-grown manufactured food and groceries.”The Government’s Bill... ...Read more »

The world’s largest grocer and retailer, Walmart, has seen profits rise despite the advent of a “new normal” in shopper behaviour that kept sales flat. Sales fell 1.4 per cent, with CEO Mike Duke implying that consumers were unlikely to revert to their previous spending habits. “Overall, our customers are more disciplined in their spending,” he noted, supporting numerous similar observations from other leading supermarket operators around the globe. “There’s... ...Read more »

The American Indian Foods (AIF) program administered by the Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC) will introduce Native American food products to the Australian food trade during the Fine Food Australia tradeshow in September. Nathan Notah and Tina Voigt, who administer the program, have a primary goal to improve the economic situation for the thousands of American Indian farmers and ranchers. “We aim to pursue and promote the conservation, development and use of our American Indian agricultural... ...Read more »

Australian manufacturer Table of Plenty has come up with an innovative solution for those who can’t decide between toast and muesli in the mornings – Muesli Bread. The company – created by Kate Weiss to provide food products that could “help women navigate their busy lives and be able to put a decent healthy meal on the table” – designed the new product to tap into the convenience trend. As a result, Table of Plenty Muesli Bread can be either eaten on-the-go as... ...Read more »

The 70 per cent tax hike on ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages (alcopops) has received Senate approval five months after being rejected by Senators. The permanent hike was introduced at last year’s budget and was added to the price of drinks before being approved by Parliament. The rejection of the Bill in March by the Senate meant that the funds raised should be delivered back to distillers, but the passing of a separate Bill validated the tax that had already been received. The Coalition... ...Read more »

The Federal Government will be held to account for the failed attempt to set up a successful grocery price monitoring website. A Senate vote on Wednesday saw the Federal Opposition receive their wish for a Senate inquiry into the failed GroceryChoice website, which was scrapped in June just days before the revamped version was set to go live. The Rudd Government spent millions on the election promise but then decided it would be too difficult to deliver a site that would be useful for consumers,... ...Read more »