While the bad news for tomato-growers on Friday January 6, 2012 was that all Heinz tomato-sauce and ketchup ceased production in Australia, the big picture is that several massive investments in glasshouse tomatoes are creating opportunities for a new world-leading tomato industry in Australia. Many were disappointed by the Heinz closure of its Gigarre operation, which had been foreshadowed by Heinz  seven months earlier (as Australian Food News reported on May 27, 2011). Job loss concerns still... ...Read more »

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is proposing to allow members of Australian Processing Tomato Growers, a branch of the Victorian Farmers Federation, to bargain collectively on the terms and conditions of their contracts with their processors under a draft determination issued today. The proposed five year authorisation would provide the members of Australian Processing Tomato Growers, typically located in northern Victoria and southern New South Wales, with statutory protection... ...Read more »

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 »

Millions of Truss tomato seedlings have been poisoned with herbicide at a hydroponics farm and plant nursery in Bowen in Northern Queensland. The sabotage is likely to have nationwide consequences for tomato prices, with the region growing 80% of the nation’s September tomatoes. Queensland Health says tomatoes from the property have been tested, and are safe for consumption with no residue of herbicide detected, and that testing will continue. Police are investigating the incident, the costs... ...Read more »

Australia’s largest tomato processor, the Echuca-based Cedenco Australia, has been sold to a Japanese food manufacturer after nearly eight months in receivership. The company maintained normal production during the receivership and the sale will result in creditors being paid in full, said KordaMentha partner Craig Shepard. Mr Shepard said the Receivers and Managers have entered a conditional agreement with a subsidiary of Kagome Co., Ltd for the sale of all of the assets of Cedenco Australia... ...Read more »

Research for vegetable industry body AUSVEG has found that pre-packed salads, tomatoes and mushrooms sell at up to five times the price per kilogram (kg) of other fresh vegetables. AUSVEG Communications Manager Hugh Tobin said that the price difference was a result of value-adding achieved by varying portion sizes, promoting extra varieties and additional pre-preparation options. Mushrooms, for example, sell around $20 per kilogram, compared to $3.50 for the fresh vegetable category overall. “Understanding... ...Read more »

Food Standards Australia New Zealand is seeking public comment on an “urgent amendment” to the Food Standard Code with regard to semi-dried tomatoes. The proposed measures would require traceability and processing requirements of semi-dried tomatoes and ingredients within Australia. In November 2009 Australian health authorities advised people to avoid eating semi-dried tomatoes unless they were thoroughly cooked. This followed the investigation of locally-acquired cases of hepatitis... ...Read more »

An investigation by the American FBI preceded the calling in of receivers at Australia’s largest tomato processor – Cedenco Foods Australia, but reports suggest the probe was related to a trust with links to the company rather than Cedenco itself. Located in the town of Echuca, Cedenco operates the largest tomato-processing factory in the southern hemisphere. Earlier this year a company owned by their US owner filed for bankruptcy but Cedenco said at the time that their business was still... ...Read more »

Cedenco Foods Australia has been placed in the hands of receivers but will remain in operation pending a sale of the business. Located in the town of Echuca, the company operates the largest tomato-processing factory in the southern hemisphere. Earlier this year a company owned by their US owner filed for bankruptcy but Cedenco said at the time that their business was still performing well. However, “a breakdown in governance and ownership issues in the related New Zealand entity” –... ...Read more »

Australia’s leading semi-dried tomato producers are adamant that their product is safe despite warnings from Victoria’s Department of Human Services (DHS) about a potential link to hepatitis A. Victorian health authorities said that loose semi-dried tomatoes should not be eaten unless thoroughly cooked, a warning that has upset Australian producers given that the only conclusive link previously found has been to imported produce. Investigation An investigation was instigated recently... ...Read more »