Major state-owned company of China, Bright Foods Company, is reportedly opening a permanent office in Sydney, signaling an intention to expand its Australian operations. The reports come after the Chinese food group’s acquisition of a 75% stake in Australian food manufacturer Manassen Foods has been approved by the Australian Foreign Institute Review Board. Bright Foods is one of China’s largest dairy producers and a major manufacturer and distributor of consumer food products. The company... ...Read more »

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has ruled that current U.S. Country of Origin Labelling (CoOL) measures are inconsistent with the U.S.’s WTO trade obligations. The WTO had examined complaints by Canada regarding the United States’ current CoOL requirements. The U.S. Food, Conservation and Energy Act imposes mandatory CoOL for beef, pork, chicken, lamb and goat as well as some perishables sold by U.S. retailers. The WTO ruled that the requirements discriminate against foreign livestock. In... ...Read more »

Japan’s government has imposed a ban on shipments of rice produced in certain parts of Fukushima after high levels of radioactive caesium were detected. The announcement was made by the Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura, who said restrictions had been imposed on the shipment of rice produced in 2011 in former Oguni-mura in Fukushima City, where radiation leaks occurred after the earthquake and tsunami in March 2011. Mr Fujimura said that the Japanese government had asked the Governor of Fukushima... ...Read more »

Australia is facing a huge glut of potatoes. Prices for potatoes for the Australian domestic market will soon drop below  farm production costs. Greengrocers and supermarkets are acquiring potatoes at bargain prices. We are constantly reminded by the Australian Government and its consultant experts that the world is running out of food. They tell us that Australia needs to produce more food for the impending famine faced by the world. Yet, we already have the scenario of many countries currently... ...Read more »

Potato growers across Australia are threatening to plough surplus potatoes back into the ground or leave them to rot in what is reported to be one of the biggest potato gluts in Australian history. Australian potato grower and Chairman of the Australian Potato Industry Advisory Committee, David Nix, has seen double the tonnage of potatoes on his farm in Atherton, Queensland, compared to last year. Mr Nix told Australian Food News today, “This year has brought a wave of excess potatoes across... ...Read more »

The 2011 total winter wheat crop is expected to be Australia’s third-largest on record, according to a new industry report released by specialist agribusiness bank, Rabobank. Rabobank estimates the wheat crop at 25.6 million tones for winter, despite variable crop conditions along the east coast and in South Australia. The expected increase in Western Australian production should compensate for the anticipated fall in the East Coast production. Rabobank senior analyst Dean Smith said that Spring... ...Read more »

  The regulation of Australia’s live export industry will be substantially reformed, following the publication of an independent review late last week. The ‘Farmer review’ was commissioned by the Australian Government in response to broadcasts of shocking video footage of animal cruelty in Indonesia. The regulatory changes recommended by the review will be implemented wholesale, on a domestic and international level, to ensure Australian livestock exported for slaughter are treated... ...Read more »

Biosecurity Australia, the Australian Government body in charge of developing biosecurity policy, has proposed that the importation of fresh de-crowned pineapples to Australia from Malaysia be permitted, subject to a range of quarantine conditions. Biosecurity Australia has issued a draft report for a consultation lasting 60 days. The draft report identifies four pests that Biosecurity Australia says require quarantine measures in order to achieve Australia’s appropriate level of protection. According... ...Read more »

The impact of fungal diseases on canola crops could be drastically reduced according to scientists from The University of Queensland, who are trying to crack the genetic code of a close canola relative. In a statement released today, the scientists said their research could have major ramifications for Australia’s export trade as the world’s second-largest canola exporter. Dr David Edwards and Dr Jacqueline Batley from The University of Queensland’s School of Agriculture and Food Sciences,... ...Read more »

The Federal Government has announced successful trade negotiations with India will enhance the export of macadamia nuts to the sub-continent. Concluded negotiations with India’s quarantine authorities will allow Australian macadamia nuts to be exported to India without fumigation previously required. Ongoing consultation with the Australian macadamia industry will allow heat treatment as an alternative to fumigation. Australian Macadamia Society CEO, Jolyon Burnett, said market access negotiations... ...Read more »