Australia’s largest exporter of dairy products, Murray Goulburn, has announced the third pay hike for farmers this season – the first Australian processor to make such a move on the back of significant improvement in export markets. “The improvement in the export market has been quite strong,” outgoing Chairman Ian MacAuley told the ABC. “Milk supply needs a little bit of a boost, and also, if you remember last year, there was a major drop in price, and people’s... ...Read more »

The new Chairman of Patties Foods has admitted to shareholders that the company has underperformed since listing in 2006, but is confident that the new leadership team can drive their high profile Australian food brands to new heights. “Clearly, (the) transition from a private company to a listed entity has not been without its difficulties,” Christopher Riordan said at the company’s Annual General Meeting in Melbourne yesterday. “In FY 2009, there was undeniably disruption... ...Read more »

Food manufacturer Heinz has reported sales growth of 2.5 per cent in the second quarter on the back of growth in emerging markets, higher prices and the strong performance of their ‘Top 15′ brands. Pre-tax profit, however, declined 15.2% due to a $92 million pre-tax gain in last year’s second quarter related to translation hedges on key currencies. “Heinz delivered a strong financial performance in an adverse economic climate, led by our growing strength in Emerging Markets,”... ...Read more »

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke has announced an agreement with Opposition and Greens senators to facilitate Senate passage of a $127.4 million industry reform program. The agreement will enable the Senate to reverse its previous decision from September to block new export certification fees and charges to return industry to full cost recovery. “This is the largest reform in a generation and has the overwhelming support of the red meat, dairy, grain, fish, horticulture... ...Read more »

Two men were executed in China yesterday for their involvement in China’s contaminated milk scandal that killed six babies and made 300,000 ill, according to reports. The men had been sentenced to death earlier this year by a court in the northern city of Shijiazhuang for producing and selling toxic ingredients that ended up in the infant milk powder. Milk producer Geng Jinping was convicted of producing and selling toxic food to dairy companies. Tian Wenhua, former chairman of the Sanlu Group,... ...Read more »

The recognition and support for food processing in the Federal Government’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) amendments has been welcomed by Australia’s largest manufacturing sector, the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) said today. The Government’s proposed $150 million allocation under the Climate Change Action Fund (CCAF) would provide much-needed support for Australia’s $100 billion food and grocery manufacturing sector, according to the industry body. AFGC... ...Read more »

Unique Australian chocolate bar, the Polly Waffle, is to be axed by maker Nestlé. Nestlé confirmed yesterday that production of the marshmallow-filled bar would cease after this year’s recipe reformulation failed to ignite sales. “It’s costing more to produce than what we get back in sales,” Nestlé’s Fran Hernon said, according to the Herald Sun. “Everybody says they love the Polly Waffle but the truth is no one buys it today. The time for it has been and gone.” New... ...Read more »

Employees at the McCain vegetable processing plant in north-west Tasmania are hopeful that a co-operative could be created to ensure jobs are not lost. McCain announced last week that, while their Smithton potato processing plant will remain open, the vegetable processing plant in the same area will be shut as they move the operation to New Zealand. One of the workers impacted, David Murphy, told the ABC that employees would be supportive of a community-run plant. “It’d be nice to think... ...Read more »

Capilano Honey has claimed one of the major awards at the recent Australian Export Awards. Held at Parliament House last Friday night, the long running awards recognised the leading Australian export performers of the past year. “The Awards are national and cover all sectors of the economy. Tonight’s finalists from eight State and Territory Awards in 12 categories of exporters demonstrate unwavering commitment, dedication and willingness to innovate in order to achieve exporting success,”... ...Read more »

Supermarket chain Aldi has opened a $145 million Warehouse and Distribution Centre in Prestons, western Sydney, providing a key plank in their expansion plans. “The 56,000 square metre Prestons Warehouse and Distribution Centre is one of the largest ALDI facilities in the world and it will support the addition of another 80 Aldi stores to the current network of 85 stores in New South Wales,” David Zalunardo, Managing Director Prestons Region, said. “Importantly it will help support... ...Read more »