Tag: Australia

Austrian food company Agrana invests US$29m in expanding starch production capacity

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AUSTRIA – International food ingredients supplier Agrana has announced a €25 million (about US$29m) investment in additional capacity at its three starch factories in Austria.   According to a statement from the company, €12 million will be used in expanding capacity at the Agrana plant in Gmünd which is Austria’s only potato starch factory.  The investment involves building a spraying tower – a drying plant for infant formula, maltodextrin, and dried glucose syrup – in addition to installing a drum-drying plant for dehydrated potato products.  Expansion works in Gmünd are estimated to…

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SIO acquires Sara Lee desserts and baked foods business in Australia

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AUSTRALIA — New Zealand-based investor group South Island Office (SIO) has reached an agreement to acquire the Sara Lee desserts and baked foods business in Australia from McCain Foods (Aust) Pty. Ltd.  Once completed, the transaction will combine Sara Lee with Christchurch-based baking company Original Foods Baking Co., which SIO acquired in February.  McCain acquired the Sara Lee business from Hillshire Brands Co. in 2013 for approximately $85 million. as a way  to expand its range of products across desserts, meals and snacking occasions.   As part of its strategy to grow the Sara Lee business, McCain named Mark Mackaness as a dedicated general…

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Coca-Cola Europacific Partners enters new partnership to enhance plastic recycling in Australia

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AUSTRALIA – Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP), one of the largest anchor bottlers for Coca-Cola has joined a new partnership aimed at enhancing Australia’s plastic recycling capacity.   Other members in the partnership include leading Australian beverage manufacturer Asahi Beverages, packaging solutions provider Pact Group, and Cleanaway Waste Management.    The companies have signed a memorandum of understanding to form a joint venture that will build and operate the new plant.  Pact, Cleanaway, and Asahi Beverages are already collaborating to build a PET recycling facility in Albury-Wodonga – expected to be completed later this year.  The newly announced proposal with backing…

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V2 food raises US$53m to fuel expansion into Europe as Freshly launches first line of plant-based meals

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AUSTRALIA – V2 food, a leading Australian meat alternative company, has secured €45 million (US$53million) in a Series B extension round to fund its ambitious expansion plans into Europe and China.  Based in Sydney, V2food produces a range of alternative protein products that mimic the taste and high protein, iron, and vitamin B content of meat.  The company’s offerings which include plant-based burgers and sausages made from legumes are said to be free from GMOs, as well as artificial colors and flavorings.  The company has also developed a production process that allows its products to…

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JBS enters Australia’s aquaculture market with acquisition of salmon farmer Huon for US$313m

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AUSTRALIA – World’s largest processor of fresh beef and pork, JBS is expanding its presence in the Australian animal protein market with the acquisition of salmon producer Huon Aquaculture Group for AUD 425 million (US$312.5 million).  Based in Tasmania, Huon farms salmon and ocean trout, and its products are sold at stores and supermarkets across Australia, as well as via the company’s online store.  The company is said to be Australia’s second-largest salmon producer and has invested more than US$256.6 million over the past five years in operational infrastructure and…

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Favourable weather drives up grain production in Bangladesh, Argentina and Australia

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GLOBAL – Bangladesh, Argentina, and Australia are set to record bumper grain harvests in the marketing year (MY) 2021/22 thanks to a mixture of factors including favorable weather conditions, moderate precipitation during the planting and growing stages, and a higher total grain production area.  In Bangladesh, rice production in MY 2021/22 is forecast to increase to 36.2 million metric tons (MMT) of milled rice production, according to recently released GAIN reports.   In the report, USDA analysts noted that favorable weather and moderate precipitation during the planting and growing stages of Aus rice were responsible for these higher…

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HelloFresh to acquire ready meals firm Youfoodz to strengthen its Australian brand portfolio

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AUSTRALIA – German-based meal kit company HelloFresh has agreed to acquire Australian ready-to-eat meal manufacturer Youfoodz to enhance its Australian brand portfolio and product offering.  FoodBev reported that the US$93.3 million deal marks an important step in HelloFresh’s growth strategy and will strengthen its direct-to-consumer (D2C) ready-to-eat capabilities.  Youfoodz provides and distributes fresh readymade meals, as well as snacks and drinks through both home delivery (D2C) and retail (B2B).   The company operates three production facilities in Brisbane, which it claims produce more than 400,000 ready-made meals, 80,000 snacks, and 25,000 drinks per week. …

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Natalie Sarich-Dayton becomes first female CEO of Australia’s oldest dairy company

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AUSTRALIA- Brownes Dairy, Australia’s oldest and most iconic dairy company, has promoted Natalie Sarich-Dayton to the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective immediately.  Sarich-Dayton who untill her promotion was the company’s chief sales and marketing officer, becomes the company’s first female leader in its 135-year history.  She succeeds Tony Girgis who had headed the company for 14 years. His time as CEO saw Brownes Dairy change ownership and bring back traditional cheddar cheese to West Australian supermarkets.  Through his leadership, Browne’s vintage and mature cheddar range have now  become generally available throughout WA and nationally in IGA…

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Mighty Craft to become Australia’s largest craft spirit producer following 3 major acquisitions

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AUSTRALIA – Mighty Craft, a craft drinks accelerator, is on its way to becoming Australia’s largest craft spirit producer, following the acquisition of three south Australian craft beverage businesses – Adelaide Hills Distillery, Mismatch Brewing, and Hills Cider. Mighty Craft is reported to have spent AUD 47 million (approx. US$36 million) in the venture which it says will enable it to transform into a scaled alcohol producer, wholesaler and retailer. Apart from the distilleries, the deal also includes a 75% ownership stake in the Lot 100 venue – a destination…

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JDE Peets to expand in Australia following acquisition of specialty coffee leader Campos Coffee

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AUSTRALIA – JDE Peet’s, the world’s largest pure-play coffee and tea group by revenue, is set to acquire Campos Coffee in an effort to bolster its presence in Australia’s coffee market. Founded in 2002 in Newtown, Sydney, Campos Coffee is a specialty coffee leader in Australia, with its award-winning Signature Blends now being brewed in over 600 cafes nationwide under the Campos and Sacred Grounds brands. In 2020, Campos generated revenues of approximately $50 million AUD (US$38.52 million) and expanded its availability to coffee lovers at home, offering premium whole…

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