In a shakeup of its Australian operations, Heinz has announced it will move its beetroot, sauces and some of its meals from factories at Girgarre, Brisbane and Wagga Wagga, to its facility in Hastings, New Zealand, while investing $25 million in its Echuca baby food plant and beverage production in Brisbane. “Heinz operates a number of factories across Australia and New Zealand.  Our decision to consolidate manufacturing is a critical step in our plan to become more competitive in a challenging... ...Read more »

Peak horticulture body Growcom has called for the urgent integration of food policy and programs by the federal government to plan for future food security. Chief Executive Officer Alex Livingstone said the call follows the release of several federal government reports in recent days, which he said indicate an insular and complacent approach to national food security. Livingstone said the government continued to take a ‘she’ll be right’ approach to food policy issues, spruiking figures showing... ...Read more »

The NSW Primary Industries Minister, Katrina Hodgkinson, announced that NSW has made a submission to Biosecurity Australia in an attempt to prevent the importation of New Zealand potatoes, which it says are a disease risk to NSW’s $53 million potato industry. The incoming Liberal Government of NSW and the NSW Department of Primary Industries made a submission on the subject of ‘zebra chip’, a condition causing dark streaks or patches in potatoes. While the condition is mostly cosmetic,... ...Read more »

Once reserved for royalty, blood oranges remain a coveted gourmet ingredient, with the exotic-looking citrus fruit expected to be an essential ingredient in Australian kitchens and restaurants this winter. CEO of Citrus Australia, Judith Damiani, said with their striking crimson flesh, unique berry flavour and nutritional value, blood oranges were the ideal fruit to transform an ordinary dish into a gourmet masterpiece. “As well as an unusual appearance, blood oranges have a raspberry like flavour... ...Read more »

With retail prices soaring, new research suggests Australians are likely to eat less fruit and vegetables in coming months, as fresh produce feels the impact of the floods and Cyclone Yasi. The banana and broccoli industries have been particularly badly hit with supply shortages and quality problems, rendering Australia’s favourite fruit and the popular vegetable particularly vulnerable. The Nielsen Company surveyed over 1500 consumers online about their buying behaviour following the natural... ...Read more »

The Northern Territory Government will spend $1.4 million extra to support Indigenous horticulture and forestry projects in the Northern Territory. NT’s Primary Industry Minister Kon Vatskalis said supporting Indigenous horticultural enterprises and working with those interested in sustainable forestry developments had the potential to create more jobs and provide regional development opportunities in the Territory’s remote areas. “Our horticultural industry in the Territory was valued... ...Read more »

Australian almond processor Select Harvests, the world’s second largest almond manager, has announced a $19.5 purchase of Belvedere Orchards – 1500 acres of established almond orchards in NSW’s Riverina. The latest acquisition by Select Harvest, plus plans to plant new orchards in WA, are expected to bring the company’s total acreage to 13,100 – almost three times the 3400 acres it had in late 2009. In addition to its own orchards, Select Harvest manages 34,000 acres... ...Read more »

Western Australian Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman presented Alana Shedley with Young Professionals in Agriculture Forum’s top award at a function in Perth, hosted by the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology. The award and accompanying prize money recognises the work of tertiary agriculture and natural resource management students who have completed an undergraduate degree. Redman said the State’s agriculture and food... ...Read more »

Peak horticulture organisation Growcom today welcomed news that the federal government has told a Senate enquiry it has decided to rethink its decision not to fight the invasion of the destructive Asian honey bee. Growcom recently made a submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Rural Affairs and Transport currently investigating the science underpinning the technical feasibility of eradicating Asian honeybees. Growcom argued that more time and debate needed to be given to the question of whether... ...Read more »

This week Minister for Agriculture, Food and Regional Economies Tim Mulherin, Member for Mount Isa Betty Kiernan and AgForce President Brent Finlay will visit Karumba, Normanton and Burketown to meet with the local community and discuss recent flood events. Mr Mulherin said there has been significant flooding throughout the Lower Gulf region since December last year. “On top of the ordinary wet season the communities of Karumba, Normanton and Burketown were also affected by excessive rainfall following... ...Read more »