Ever since the AGM of Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) in the middle of May rumours have been circulating that CCA will consider a takeover of Foster’s or the beverage operations of Cadbury-Schweppes. The rumours strengthened when CCA CEO, Terry Davis, told reporters at the time that a purchase of Schweppes would make sense. However, some believed this was merely a diversion and their real target was Foster’s. Mr Davis has now quashed the Foster’s speculation via an interview with... Read more »

Even though agriculture cannot be covered by an Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), the Australian Government must take steps to ensure consumers can still afford basic food items, the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) warned today. “Any ETS will cause pain to businesses and households… people are slowly coming to grips with that reality,” NFF President David Crombie said. “But it could be crippling for Australia’s food production, threatening to damage our... Read more »

The Australian Fair Pay Commission (AFPC) has announced a 4.2% rise in the minimum wage, which will come into effect in October this year. The rise, equivalent to $21.66 per week, has been met with concern from the Australian National Retailers Association (ANRA) and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI). ANRA believe it will put increasing cost pressures on retailers who are already feeling the pinch, with the ACCI adding that it is “economically risky”. “We... Read more »

Federal Agriculture Minister Tony Burke has begun his WA tour and plans to discuss the future of GM food production in Australia with key members of the WA State Government. The decision to discuss GM foods with the WA Government comes following concerns raised by WA Premier Alan Carpenter last month. Mr Carpenter called for compulsory labelling of foods that contain Genetically Modified (GM) ingredients and an immediate halt to the approval of all GM foods in Australia until more is known about... Read more »

CSIRO research, underway in Central Queensland’s cattle country, is investigating whether the integration of trees, pasture and livestock into a single agricultural system will produce greater net returns for producers and the environment. The ’silvopastoralism’ system is gaining worldwide attention as a potentially profitable land-use practice, particularly following the emergence of new market opportunities such as carbon trading. CSIRO Livestock Industries’ (CLI) project... Read more »

The ABS today released data into the Australian wine industry for the month of May indicating domestic concerns for the Australian wine industry. As has been the case for the past few months, domestic sales exhibited a downward trend, though, on a more positive note, export sales experienced considerable growth on the April figures. The trend estimate for white table wine sales sales fell by 1.7% from last month, with the trend falling by .7% for red and rosé wine sales. Total trend estimates... Read more »

ABB Grain, a leading Australian agribusiness, has completed their acquisition of the ruminant business of New Zealand’s PCL Feeds, a division of Mainland Poultry Ltd. ABB Grain markets a wide range of cereal grains, oilseeds and pulses to customers in Australia and overseas, and last year embarked on a joint venture in Ukraine - signalling their expansion intentions. From July 1 ABB Grain assumed full management of PCL’s New Plymouth mill on the north island, including production, procurement... Read more »

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has released details of two possible changes to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code- regulations that govern the sale of food in Australia and New Zealand. FSANZ is inviting individuals or organisations with an interest in food matters to comment on applications from industry to change the definition of ‘wine-based beverage’ and to allow the use of an enzyme derived from a genetically modified source. Definition of ‘wine-based beverage’:... Read more »

The colour, vibrancy and range of choices of a good seafood retail display are a sight to behold. Thus, whilst there can be no doubt that the numbers of independent fishmongers are declining we are fortunate in Australia that they are still a key part of the seafood industry. Reputedly, the oldest fishmonger operation in Australia is Canals Seafood, now in its 77th year of trading at the same address in Nicholson Street, North Carlton, Victoria. Michael and Delores Canals started their Melbourne... Read more »

Leading Australian retail food brand manager and franchisor Retail Food Group Limited (RFG) today announced that they will look to grow their Donut King franchise in China. RFG has reported that they have finalised the terms of a Master Licence Agreement (MLA) with Shanghai based Mak Brands Limited concerning the proliferation of the Donut King franchise system within China. The Agreement is performance based for an initial term of 20 years, and growth in the Chinese marketplace is based... Read more »