A decision on a carbon tax in Australia must not harm the competitiveness of Australian export and import-competing industries like food and grocery manufacturing, the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) said today (17 Sept).AFGC supports putting a price on carbon in Australia so long as it does not give any country an unfair competitive advantage over Australia. AFGC Chief Executive Kate Carnell said implementing a national emission framework is one of the most complex policy development... ...Read more »

Feral GM canola weeds have been discovered on roadsides in Western Victoria. Canola farmer Geoff Carracher discovered the GM canola weeds and sent them to Gene Ethics for testing, which showed up positive.The GM contamination has already started spreading further: upon a later inspection of the GM canola weeds, near Bringalbert, north of Apsley, Mr Carracher, from the Network of concerned Farmers, noticed some of them had been eaten by nearby sheep. “These rogue GM plants are probably from... ...Read more »

The Australian Made, Australian Grown (AMAG) Campaign is proud to officially welcome Seafood Services Australia (SSA) as a Campaign Partner. SSA is dedicated to enhancing the profitability, international competitiveness, sustainability and resilience of the Australian seafood industry. AMAG Chief Executive Ian Harrison says the new partnership will further strengthen the promotion of Australian seafood. “Most Australian consumers have a preference for local seafood but cannot readily identify... ...Read more »

Canadian c-store group Couche-Tard has released an open letter to the shareholders of takeover target Casey’s General Stores that urges investors to vote against the US retailer at next week’s AGM.In the letter, the Canadian group asked Casey’s shareholders if they “prefer the status quo” or whether they wanted “directors who are committed to maximising the value of your investment” in the US retailer. The letter was the latest twist in what has become an... ...Read more »

Kellogg’s is the top packaged food brand in the U.S. according to Interbrand’s latest annual ranking of the 100 “Best Global Brands”. The cereal company was ranked number 35 – down one on a year earlier – in a study that analysed the value of global brands, studying their financial performance, their role in the purchase decision process and the strength of the brand to continue to secure earnings for their owner. Other food manufacturers on the list include Heinz... ...Read more »

Australians are seen by the rest of the world as being without peer when it comes to skilled baristas and coffee knowledge, according to 2009 Barista World Champion Gwilym Davies. UK barista Davies, a guest of Australian coffee icon Mocopan during Fine Food Week, said London cafes openly trumpet that their cafe is Australian-owned or that their barista is Australian to entice customers. “Australians are held in enormously high esteem around the world. Their coffee knowledge is second to none... ...Read more »

Global fisheries, a vital source of food and revenue throughout the world, contribute between US$225-$240 billion per year to the worldwide economy, according to four new studies released today. Researchers also concluded that healthier fisheries could have prevented malnourishment in nearly 20 million people in poorer countries. This first comprehensive, peer-reviewed estimate of the global economic contribution of fisheries was published online today in four papers as part of a special issue of... ...Read more »

More than 250 companies will take part in Australia’s largest-ever offshore trade promotion at the 7th China International Small and Medium Enterprises Fair (CISMEF) in Guangzhou, South China (Sept 15-18, 2010). Australia will be guest of honour and event co-host with a 10,000 square metre Pavilion, representing twice the area of Australia’s Shanghai World Expo presence. The Fair will include showcases for Australian wine, with over sixty companies exhibiting, and for food and beverages, with... ...Read more »

US food giant Kraft Foods expects the acquisition of UK confectioner Cadbury to raise its revenue by US$1 billion by 2013. Ahead of a meeting with analysts yesterday, Kraft said that the acquisition of Cadbury had made it “the undisputed world leader in snacks”, a category that now accounts for more than half of its revenue. The acquisition of Cadbury is also expected to generate $750 million in cost synergies by 2013, Kraft said. Kraft also spoke of “additional savings” from... ...Read more »

A new report analysing Australia’s honey industry has been released by the RIRDC, designed to identify possible improvements to marketing of the sticky breakfast treat in the face of Australia’s taste for pre-packaged meal options. RIRDC Senior Research Manger, Dr Dave Alden, said the report is designed to help Australia’s honey industry understand some of the dynamics driving supply chain pressures in the industry. “This report identifies 26 separate issues and pressures affecting... ...Read more »