New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has been digging even deeper into its Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) fund to find significant funds for a new, NZ$65m joint development project between sheep and beef farmers.
Good news for Australia, where retail spending growth should remain steady heading into 2013. At the same time the country’s two leading supermarket chains have reported their strongest quarterly sales growth for more than a year.
New Zealand’s government has started a PR offensive to limit the impact of last week’s revelations that low levels of chemical residue were discovered in dairy products from the country, and Chinese consumers find themselves high on its charm list.
Recognising the newfound importance of the Chinese wine market, New Zealand’s vintners are pulling out the stops to make sure their exports have a place in Far East cellars.
The sale and use of dicyandiamide (DCD) has been brought to a halt in New Zealand after low levels of the substance were discovered in samples of dairy products from the country.
Victoria Bitter’s heartfelt apology last year is likely behind the beer’s turnaround in the Australian market, after the SABMiller brand showed its first quarter of growth in over 10 years of steady 10% declines.
Children watching sports may be soaking up blanket fast-food advertising campaigns more than expected, according to a fresh study by the University of Western Australia.
A proof of principle study has shown that a change in diet can be remarkably effective in reducing inflammation over just six weeks. The research was conducted on a group of healthy New Zealanders.
Australian researchers have claimed a breakthrough that will allow them to use DNA amplification on “microspheres” to rapidly detect and identify large numbers of different bacteria at once.
Just days after a massive public health campaign to tackle the overconsumption of soft drinks was launched, the initiative has already drawn its critics, with one group suggesting the campaign’s demands are “short-sighted” and “lazy”.
Australian snack makers face continued stagnation and economic pressures and must innovate further in niche healthy sectors to ride the current wave of challenges, a report says.
Chinese dairy processor Yashili has announced plans to establish infant formula manufacturing operations in New Zealand – becoming the latest in a growing line of Chinese dairy processors to make the move south.
The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) has slammed a move by one of the country’s major supermarket chains to heavily discount its private label products, accusing it of deploying a “Trojan horse” tactic.
A recent decision by lawmakers in South Australia to protect Adelaide’s two main wine regions from urban sprawl has quite literally stepped on the toes of angry dairy producers.
Much to the hilarity of international observers, McDonald’s Australian operation has chosen to rename a number of its outlets as a tribute to the country as Australia Day approaches.
Stores in Australia are fighting to replenish stocks of infant formula following an unprecedented surge in demand from Chinese customers wary of the safety of products at home.
Food & Water Watch, the American consumer advocacy group, has called on the United States Department of Agriculture to review its decision to allow Australia’s newly privatised meat inspection system to be considered equivalent to that of the US.
A new study by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (Abares) has identified financial and environmental concerns to be the key drivers influencing the adoption of sustainable farming practices in Australia.
The Australian Egg Corporation (AECL) has advised Australia’s trademark administrators that it will withdraw its current application for a certification trade mark covering an enhanced quality assurance programme for the Australian egg industry.
Australia’s director of animal and plant quarantine is expected to approve the import of fresh decrowned pineapple fruit from Malaysia. The decision based on consideration of a final risk analysis report for the import of the fruit from Malaysia.
A joint report by China and Australia has predicted that bilateral co-operation between the nations in agricultural investment and technology will flourish.
Parties on both sides of table have welcomed the recent decision by Australian and New Zealand ministers responsible for food regulation on the issue of health claims in the region.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has called for submissions to draft fish processing aid regulation on carbon monoxide after reports it is being used despite being banned.
New varieties of the Chinese red bayberry fruit are nearing production after successful trials were held by growers, while a deal to market the produce is in the offing.
This week, New Zealand has become the first country in the world to sign an agreement with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The pact recognises each other’s food safety systems as providing a comparable degree of food-safety assurance.
New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industry has revealed that the country’s food industry is feeling the pinch as a result of the adverse global economic situation, even though favourable climatic conditions have been a boon to production.
Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) has signed a deal to distribute Swedish cider Rekorderlig in Australia from January 2014, and said its sales and distribution strength would help consolidate the brand’s market-leading position.
Supermarket group Coles has released new figures that reveal a greater awareness about obesity in Australia, even though the majority of shoppers have struggled in the fight against the bulge.
A round-up of the big stories hitting Australasia. Today: industry responds to greater energy drink regulation, Aussie 'roo meat to return to Russia, maternal obesity likely to result in overweight children and Tasmanians hoping for Jamie Oliver...
Australian food giant Goodman Fielder will offload its New Zealand flour milling business to Japanese firm Nisshin as part of its wider strategy to recover from struggling finances.
Despite positive news that the ailing company behind Rosella is likely to continue trading while a buyer is sought, Australia’s leading food production lobby has issued a stark warning that more support is needed from the government in the face of cheap...
The most commonly used cages for housing layer hens will be phased out in New Zealand by 2022 under a new code of welfare issued by the minister for primary industries, David Carter.
Daily supplements containing aged garlic extracts may reduce blood pressure in people with uncontrollable hypertension, says a new study from Australia.
High import tariffs and other barriers to entry are giving Australian exports of sheep meet a significant disadvantage across a number of markets on the world stage, a researcher has found following a long-term study.
Consumers in Australia and New Zealand may espouse locally made food and beverage products, but the reality of the situation is somewhat different, a top marketing and branding guru has said.
Spanish supplier Biosearch Life is finding success with its patented, immune system-boosting and mastitis battling probiotic isolated from human breast milk in a world-first product launched in Australia this year.
Australia is the site of the latest battle between Neptune and Aker Biomarine. In addition to patent strife between the two krill majors in American courts, Canadian Neptune has now announced that it filed opposition to an Aker patent application earlier...
Changing trends in traditional key export markets are presenting both hurdles and opportunities for Australia's boxed-beef exporters, according to a recently released industry report.
A social media storm and petition have prompted Australian supermarket Woolworths to withdraw all juice supplies of infant drink brand Bebi from its shelves, although its infant suitable water line will remain.
SAB Miller CFO Jamie Wilson admits that the firm has suffered volume declines with Foster’s Group in Australia and is not regaining share, but claims that the takeover was never a ‘short-term journey’.
Last week, FoodNavigator-Asia published an opinion piece by the anti-GE pressure group, GE-free NZ, that criticised AgResearch, the New Zealand research institute. In the article, the author made reference to the institute’s work in breeding a cow that...
Cider is the rising star of New Zealand’s alcoholic beverages market even as consumption of beer in the country is showing a steady decline, said a top official from Lion, the Australasian food and beverage major.
