Australian speciality food and beverage product makers are looking to make their mark in America during the next two weeks, as more than 25 companies showcase over 70 products across Manhattan, during G’Day USA: Australia Week. “This annual boutique supermarket promotion builds on the success of the past seven years and demonstrates the ongoing demand for quality Australian specialty and gourmet food and wines,” Austrade’s Regional Director for the Americas, Grame Barty, advised. “Key... ...Read more »

National Foods is likely to come under further pressure in Tasmania with milk distributors in the state likely to pursue a PR campaign designed to win back lost supply contracts. The dairy firm has only just overcome a battle with farmers that threatened their reputation in the region and now may face more problems after electing to go with transport company SRT Logistics for their deliveries to Coles and Woolworths at the expense of around 30 independent distributors. Greg Marriott from the Amalgamated... ...Read more »

After two weeks, blockades continue at the Belgian breweries of the world’s largest brewer – with still no agreement in sight. Two hundred and sixty-three jobs were cut from Anheuser-Busch InBev’s 2,700 Belgian employees a fortnight ago, sparking anger with workers blocking entrances to two of the company’s Belgian plants in Leuven and Liege. Tuesday’s talks were already the second attempt for mediation and again have ended with no results. Union officials have called... ...Read more »

A temporary ban on Australian mangoes from Japan has been lifted a week after it was first enforced after unidentified insect larvae were discovered in a mango at a south-east Queensland export facility.The south-east facility remains closed, however, with investigations ongoing into the cause of the system breakdown. “It’s relieving that the market has been reopened,” Mareeba Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association president Joe Moro told the ABC. “I think the growers of... ...Read more »

The US Department of Health and Human Services has said further research is required into the potential health impact of using bisphenol-A in food packaging. According to an announcement on Friday (15 January), further study is required to track possible harmful effects of the chemical, although existing research does not demonstrate there is cause for concern over the potential impact of BPA on health. “Recent studies have reported subtle effects of low doses of BPA in laboratory animals.... ...Read more »

Fonterra has announced it will be implementing an $11.5 million investment program to increase cheese and whey powder processing capacity at its dairy manufacturing sites in northern Tasmania.”Fonterra already processes two-thirds of the milk produced in Tasmania. As a result of this investment we will be able to accept more milk from next season and Tasmanian dairy farmers can have confidence in the future of their industry,” Bruce Donnison, Managing Director Ingredients Australia, said. Fonterra’s... ...Read more »

Clean Seas Tuna has announced further progress in their bid to become the first company to successfully close the lifecycle of Southern Bluefin Tuna in captivity. The news comes three months after Southern Bluefin Tuna quotas were cut by 23% in Australia. “Clean Seas Tuna Ltd is pleased to advise its Southern Bluefin Tuna broodstock commenced spawning late last week and larval rearing has commenced,” Managing Director Clifford Ashby said in a statement to the ASX. “It is anticipated... ...Read more »

Online grocery sales are set to surge if forecasts from the UK are on the money, with researchers predicting the next five years will see sales almost double to £7.2bn (A$12.9b). In 2009, 13% of adults have shopped online for groceries – an increase of 63% on 2006. Three out of five (61%) online grocery shoppers use more than one online store for their food shopping. And half (49%) would like to try other supermarket websites, but many are put off by the perceived effort involved. Online Shopping... ...Read more »

Sources close to the ongoing Kraft-Cadbury takeover saga have reported that the two parties may come to an amicable agreement, something that would come as a shock given Cadbury’s obvious disapproval of Kraft’s attempts to wrest control of the British confectioner. Indeed, it was only last week that Chairman Roger Carr urged shareholders not to let Kraft “steal” the company. Reuters and the BBC have reported that Kraft and Cadbury are currently in discussions to cement a friendly... ...Read more »

Australia’s two largest supermarket operators, Woolworths and Wesfarmers, have been listed in the world’s top 30 retail companies, according to the Deloitte Global Powers of Retailing 2010 report. The report, which identifies the 250 largest retailers by revenue for the fiscal year 2008 (encompasses fiscal years ended through June 2009), lists Woolworths in 26th position and Wesfarmers in 28th position. The two ASX-listed giants get the bulk of their revenue from supermarkets although... ...Read more »