Researchers at the University of South Australia are claiming that at least two billion dollars could be slashed from the annual healthcare budget if Australians increased their dairy intake. According to researchers from the university’s Health Economics and Social Policy Group, an estimated 65 per cent of Australians currently consume less than the recommended serves of dairy foods (milk, cheese, yoghurt and custard). Professor Leonie Segal said the potential healthcare savings equate to the... ...Read more »

Australia’s largest ASX-listed dairy company Bega Cheese has announced plans to complete a merger with Victorian-based dairy co-operative Tatura Milk Industries by the end of 2011. Bega Cheese acquired 70 per cent of Tatura Milk Industries in 2007 for approximately A$39 Million. By agreement made between the two companies in March 2011, Tatura Milk advised Bega Cheese it must be listed with the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in order to acquire the remaining shares from Tatura Milk Industries.... ...Read more »

New Zealand-based dairy giant Fonterra has recalled several batches of its Mainland Tasty cheese after a shard of metal was found in one of its block cheese products. The products in Australia recalled are:   Mainland Extra Tasty block 200gm with a best before date of 28 February 2012 (batch JI) Mainland Extra Tasty block 400gm with a best before date of 28 February 2012 (batch AI). The products in question are sold in Woolworths, Coles, IGA and Franklins supermarkets. Fonterra’s General Manager... ...Read more »

Australia’s largest ASX-listed dairy company Bega Cheese has won the contract to supply the entire range of Coles’ home-branded cheese products. The contract, announced yesterday, will involve Bega Cheese manufacturing and packaging natural cheddar, processed cheddar and mozzarella products for Coles, Australia’s second-largest retailer, under a five year contract. Initial anticipated volumes are set to be 19,000 tonnes a year. Bega Cheese’s Chief Executive Aidan Coleman said,... ...Read more »

New Zealand-based milk producer Fonterra and UK-based First Milk today announced a joint venture to produce “premium” whey proteins for Fonterra’s growing food ingredients business in Europe. The two dairy farmer co-operatives will combine their intellectual property to develop dairy protein streams at First Milk’s Lake District creamery in Cumbria, England. Fonterra Europe’s Managing Director, Koert Liekelema said the venture is the first step in realising its goal of local European... ...Read more »

The largest processor of milk in the world, Fonterra, today confirmed there was no change to its opening season forecast payout for 2011/12 of A$7.15 – $7.25 before retentions. The New Zealand-based dairy co-operative forecasts a milk price of A$6.75 per kilogram of milk solids and a distributable profit of 40 to 50 cents per share. Fonterra Australia-New Zealand, a subsidiary of Fonterra, owns well-known consumer dairy brands Bonlac Foods Ltd, Brownes, Bonland Dairies and Murrumbidgee Dairy... ...Read more »

Australia’s largest listed dairy firm, Bega Cheese Group, has announced an 11.4% drop in profits for the financial year ended on 30 June 2011. The Group’s full year results, just published, show total sales revenue to be A$931.7 million, with a net profit after tax of A$21.6 million. Bega Cheese is the largest provider of contract cheese packaging and processing services in Australia. The company’s product range includes cheddar, mozzarella, processed cheese, cream cheese, milk powders, infant... ...Read more »

Australia’s oldest dairy company, Warrnambool Cheese and Butter, has more than doubled its operating profits for the year to 30 June 2011. The Victoria-based dairy company has recorded a net profit of $18.5 million, with total revenue of about $504 million. Its full year results were published yesterday. Warrnambool Cheese and Butter’s principal activities are the manufacture, processing, and sale of cheese, milk powder, butter, cream, whey protein concentrate, bulk and processed milk, and... ...Read more »

With the New Zealand-based dairy multinational Fonterra announcing a drop in profits from its organic dairy operations in New Zealand this week, Australian Food News has been investigating the current state of Australia’s organic dairy industry. Dr. Andrew Monk, convenor of the Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA) Standards Advisory Group says Australia’s organic dairy industry is a “small but growing industry”. “It faces a challenge in meeting the consistently growing demand for the product... ...Read more »

New Zealand-based dairy co-operative multinational Fonterra is cutting its dairy organic operations in New Zealand following a drop in profits. The dairy giant, which owns Australians brands Brownes Calcium Plus, Bega Cheese, Peters and Brownes, and Riverina Fresh, plans to reduce the number of organic suppliers. Fonterra employs 2,000 people in Australia, collects 21 per cent of Australia’s milk, and operates 11 manufacturing sites. “People less willing to pay the premium for organic products” Fonterra’s... ...Read more »