Australian consumers’ appetites for domestic, trustworthy brands is at an all-time high due to COVID-19 and is not expected to disperse any time soon, according to the heads of Australia’s largest independent grocery store Drakes Supermarkets.
New Zealand has long enjoyed a good reputation for high-quality and safe food exports, and the industry is now beefing up its efforts in the functional ingredient and foods space, with Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and China top of mind.
Australia’s supplements industry has continued to grow amid the pandemic despite a dip in export revenue, with firms finding success by pivoting to immunity products and finding inroads into several new markets, including Iran, Israel and Brazil.
Australia-based Renovatio Bioscience has launched a supplement addressing both immunity and inflammation, a perceived ‘gap in the market’, with just four ingredients - activated phenolics, quercetin, zinc and vitamin C.
Mt Uncle Distillery has predicted a leap in demand for premium category spirits in Australia as it pledged to maintain its focus on maximising the use of local botanicals after bagging multiple top awards at international spirits competitions.
ASX-listed firm Forbidden Foods has launched a range of walnut/macadamia oil fortified with algal omega-3 in China and Australia based on consumer trends seen on major e-commerce platform Alibaba Tmall.
New Zealand start-up LILO Desserts is gearing up to launch its plant-based cheesecake range in the country this September, and is also eyeing Hong Kong and Singapore as its first export markets.
H&H has launched Australia’s first kids supplement containing human milk oligosaccharides (HMO), on the back of the ingredient receiving the required regulatory approval earlier this year.
Australian retail giants such as Coles and Woolworths are placing increased importance on developing previously sluggish e-commerce operations in the hope of capturing consumer loyalty to cement future growth.
Supplements containing oil from black cumin (Nigella sativa) may help manage blood sugar and improve cardiometabolic measures in type-2 diabetics, says a new study.
Australian food and beverage firms will need to snap out of pre-COVID-19 thought processes when it comes to supply chains and logistics and embrace more collaborative and tech-focused strategies, according to an industry expert.
New Zealand brand Vince has created dehydrated plant-based mince made entirely from vegetables, touted as a more sustainable plant-based option without the need for a chilled supply chain.
Australian healthy snacking firm Slim Secrets has secured a listing for its protein bar range in Carrefour supermarkets across Dubai as part of its Middle East expansion.
New Zealand-based functional beverage brand ‘73 citrus has launched its first product, a sparkling orange juice with liposomal vitamin C to boost immunity.
The rise of the work-from-home culture in Australia ever since the COVID-19 pandemic hit has simultaneously led to a rise in snacking frequency, especially among younger consumers, according to a report by Mondelez Australia.
Sprout Organic, the maker of Australia’s first plant-based and organic certified infant and toddler formulas, says it is enjoying strong e-commerce pre-sales both domestically and internationally.
New Zealand hemp-based meat firm Sustainable Foods has revealed plans to scale up exports over the next five years with Asia Pacific countries its main targets, following a complete rebranding for its products and launching its hemp-based chick*n into...
New Zealand-based Leaft Foods has highlighted leaf-based protein as an ideal new plant-based protein source for F&B product manufacturing on the back of taste and solubility advantages, as it gears up to advance its R&D and commercial plans with...
Australian start-up Funday Natural Sweets is seeking to shake-up the confectionery market with sugar-free and functional products, including a prebiotic lolly.
Just as the man made globally famous by a Netflix documentary outlining how he conned wine collectors out of millions of dollars was deported to his native Indonesia, a team of scientists from Australia believe they have found a fast and simple method...
Australia’s Famous Soda Co is embarking on plans to expand its better-for-you product portfolio beyond beverages to confectionery, as well as setting its sights on expansion into the ASEAN market.
Mondelez Australia is looking to cash in on the rise of healthier savoury snacks in the country via its recent entry into the local premium cracker category, a sector it believes to be leading this trend nationally.
Plant-based meat firms in Australia need to overcome production hurdles and increase volumes in order to achieve price parity with traditional meat products and better appeal to cost-conscious Asian markets.
An artificial intelligence (AI) tool created by Australian start-up GoMicro to test the quality and safety of foods is hoping to expand its use to allow retailers to create and meet desired standards from their suppliers.
The Australian beverages industry has expressed hopes that the government will reconsider its current stance on Health Star Ratings (HSR) for no added sugar juices after the sector emerged as the sole soft drinks growth category in the last quarter of...
Having launched in its home market of Australia in January, Ovant has already expanded distribution of its alcohol-free distillations to Singapore and will hit the UK this month.
Australian plant-based firm Eighth Day Foods has developed a versatile plant-based meat alternative from sweet lupins, which it claims is ‘ideal for Asia’ via its specialised fermentation process.
More effective policies to prevent allergen cross contamination are needed in Australia’s food industry, while voluntary labelling needs to more accurately reflect the risk profile, said a lead investigator of HealthNuts, the world’s largest comprehensive...
New Zealand nootropic company Ārepa is investing over NZ$2 million (US$1.4m) on a series of brain health and performance clinical trials as it looks to create the world’s smartest drink.
Nestlé is set to close its factory in Wiri, a suburb of Auckland on the north island of New Zealand, with the loss of 45 jobs, local media has reported.
The Australian food industry has expressed relief at the government’s announcement of a three-year transition period for firms to comply with the new Plain English Allergen Labelling (PEAL) requirements, saying this is critical to mitigate cost impacts...
Australia’s healthy foods and supplement manufacturer Jatcorp is expanding its product line with the launch of a low glycemic index (GI) formula suitable for diabetic patients. It is targeting to launch the product in over 100 pharmacies in Australia.
Juice firms in Australia have been advised to turn to blending their products with lower fructose fruits or vegetables in order to raise health star ratings (HSR), after a damaging ministerial decision to reduce the health rating of juices.
The New Zealand dairy industry is now in a ‘place of responsibility’ to help the global industry achieve sustainable operations after being named as having the world’s lowest carbon footprint, and now is the time to improve further and not be complacent,...
Coca-Cola Amatil (Amatil) is putting its sale to Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) to the vote next month, and the company has told shareholders the deal is as good as it gets, warning that share prices could fall if it doesn’t go ahead.
The rate of growth for Ausnutria’s Goat milk brand Kabrita slowed significantly in China throughout 2020, with the firm citing reduced promotion and marketing activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
New Zealand dairy brand Taupo Pure is bringing Maori values to life in its operations and product innovation, developing what it calls the ‘thinking person’s milk’ with an emphasis on quality, nutrition and long-term consciousness.
Australian F&B brands and retailers will need to ensure their business strategy encompasses sustainability, affordability and the identification of a right niche if they wish to achieve growth in what looks to be a ‘tough year ahead’, according to...
Australia company Anatara Lifesciences is trialling the use of a bromelain-containing supplement in patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Coca-Cola Amatil does not expect any major changes to its recently-published 20-year sustainability plan even if its takeover transaction with Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) plays out as planned and ownership of the firm changes.
New Zealand’s debate over creating a Grocery Code of Conduct has now moved to the parliamentary stage after the NZ Food and Grocery Council (NZFGC) presented it to parliament in the name of preventing potential ‘abuse of power’ by local supermarkets.
Malaysian bak kwa company Oloiya (Chinese:我来也) is banking on flavour innovation to capture the younger market, as it bids to disrupt the century-old industry.
New Zealand oat firm Harraways has revealed its plans to focus new product development efforts on areas such as fortification and collaborative NPD as the 154-year-old brand moves to keep up with current F&B trends.
New Zealand researchers are planning to conduct clinical trials on a kawakawa beverage with immune and metabolic health benefits, before refining the formulation and sell it in the export markets.
Australian researchers have identified bread, cheese and processed meat products as key dietary contributors of salt requiring sodium reformulation in a new study, urging the government to widen its focus on reformulating these foods to achieve positive...
Yoghurt giant Chobani believes that versatility is the name of the game for the industry whether it comes to flavours, formats or ingredients, and has adapted its portfolio to offer products suitable for consumption occasions far beyond just breakfast.
