Australians are buying less cheese, and there has been a shift in preferences, with supermarket-brand blocks overtaking some old favourites in popularity, according to findings from market research organisation Roy Morgan Research. According to Roy Morgan Research, in 2012, 48 per cent of Australians aged 14 and over bought blocks of cheese in an average four-week period, down from 52 per cent five years earlier. Supermarkets-brand cheese blocks have increased their market share over the past five... ...Read more »

New Zealand owned fresh chilled soup and meals manufacturer Pitango will launch a new winter soup range in Australia. The new flavours of Pitango soups, which are available in the fresh chilled sections of supermarkets, include ‘Vegetable and Quinoa Soup’, ‘Portobello Mushroom Soup’, ‘Free Range Spiced Chicken Soup’ and ‘Organic Sweet Potato Coconut and Ginger Soup’. “We are passionate about creating fresh, exciting, healthy and tasty meals here at Pitango, and are thrilled to be... ...Read more »

A new low sugar flavoured water range for children, called Water Buddies, will be available in Australian supermarkets in May 2013. The beverages, which are produced by New Zealand food manufacturer MMC Tradelink Ltd, will be available in Woolworths stores and New Zealand Natural Ice Cream stores. The expansion into the Australian market will be in part managed by Australian food marketing and distribution company Menora Foods, which said it expected the drinks would also soon be available in IGA... ...Read more »

Australian Treasurer,Wayne Swan has disappointed food growers, producers and retailers with little new being offered them in the latest Federal budget, which was released by Mr Swan on 14 May 2013. Some in the Australian food industry are hoping that the forecast deficits of $19.4bn this financial year and $18bn next financial year underline a weakness in the economy that might trigger a drop in the Australian dollar. Some food manufacturers are now pinning their hopes on a predicted decline in value... ...Read more »

Just as the footy season really starts to heat up, Tip Top®, Australia’s iconic bread brand, has launched a limited edition of NRL & AFL footy superstar collection in packs of Tip Top® Sunblest® available for the next 12 weeks. With free special edition NRL & AFL inserts in Tip Top Sunblest packs of bread in-store now, footy-loving families now have the chance to show their love for the game through their sandwiches! From this week, inside every Tip Top Sunblest pack sporting the NRL... ...Read more »

Australian supermarket Coles has announced that some popular Australian brands will among a list of 40 new products to be added to its ‘Down Down’ savings list. The latest ‘Down Down’ price reduction features some iconic brands, including Vegemite, Old El Paso, Milo and Kellogg’s Cornflakes. The latest ‘Down Down’ campaign will feature rock band Status Quo with a unique version of the song ‘Whatever You Want’. The popular brands will receive their own version of the song in the... ...Read more »

Major Australian supermarkets appear to be gradually moving towards new store formats that will offer additional services or attempt to create a more ‘market-style’ environment. Woolworths recently advertised positions available for qualified butchers for its “exciting new concept stores”. Woolworths supermarkets also appear to be gradually changing their approach to the format of stores, perhaps in an attempt to emulate its rival Coles’ strategy of focusing on the customer in-store ‘experience’. In... ...Read more »

Coca-Cola Amatil Limited (CCA) announced at its Annual General Meeting on 7 May 2013 that it expected to see a decline or 8 to 9 per cent in earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) for the first half of the 2013 financial year. Speaking at the meeting, Terry Davis, CCA’s Group Managing Director, said the first four months of trading had delivered “mixed results”, but that the Company expected to see a return to earnings growth in the second half. “In Australian beverages, the grocery channel... ...Read more »

The founder of Australian cereal manufacturer Carman’s Fine Foods, Carolyn Cresswell, is urging Australian women in the food industry to enter the 2013 Telstra Business Women’s Awards. Ms Creswell, who was named 2012 Telstra Business Woman of the Year, said winning the award in 2012 increased brand awareness for Carman’s Fine Foods, but that the entry process itself was also rewarding. “The entry process is very professional and detailed and it makes sure you do not leave a stone unturned.... ...Read more »

Australian pie producer, Garlo’s Pies, is preparing to move into a new production facility in St Peters, in Sydney’s inner west, as the Company expands its distribution channels into major supermarket retailers in New South Wales (NSW). Garlo’s Pies, which was founded by former National Rugby League (NRL) captain Sean Garlick, his brother Nathan and father Terry in 2001, will now be stocked in Coles and IGA across NSW, and in Woolworths in Sydney. Garlo’s Pies said the new production facility... ...Read more »