AGP Executive Report

Australian Faba Bean Push: A new 2.5-year, $9.5m national faba bean breeding program aims to lift yield, disease resistance, adaptation and quality, with GRDC and InterGrain leading work to expand reliable varieties for growers. Food & Drink Retail Spotlight: Mackays’ Scottish marmalade range has landed in Woolworths, rolling out across about 600 stores in Australia after earlier Sydney Food Show listings. Hospitality Openings: Stubby’s cafe-and-sandwich concept is set to open in Parsons Green on 17 July, with coffee at the core and a menu built around chef Oli Weaver’s sandwich obsession. Wine Packaging History: A look at the “wine sack” and how Australia’s bag-in-box (BiB) helped popularise lightweight, portable wine formats. Climate & Food Prices Watch: UBS flags that a potential super El Niño could worsen food inflation as fertilizer and heat-driven crop stress feed into grocery costs. App Economy (Food Delivery Angle): Apple says its App Store ecosystem generated US$1.4t in developer sales and billings in 2025, with grocery and food delivery among top spend categories in China.

Craft Beer & Events: Adelaide’s Prohibition Liquor Co. has swept four awards at the World Drinks Awards in London, including World’s Best Coffee Liqueur for a third straight year, plus nut liqueurs and gin campaign honours. Beer Festival Buzz: Beervana 2026 has opened ticket sales for Wellington’s Hnry Stadium on 21–22 August, with a stronger Aussie contingent and a hunt for Australia’s Biggest Beer Fan. Independent Brewing Community: The Independent Brewers Association has expanded membership with a new “True Indie Supporter” category for retailers, venues, supporters and beer fans. Hospitality & Retail Drinks: 7-Eleven Australia is building in-house creative capability via its new agency The Corner Shop, launching a major coffee campaign. Wine Strategy: Treasury Wine Estates says it will focus investment on its top “power brands” (including Penfolds) and reshape its portfolio around fewer, stronger labels and lighter/no- and low-alcohol styles. Food & Drink Culture: A Sydney Japanese dining precinct (Prefecture 48) is drawing attention for its six-in-one format, including a patisserie, whisky bar and kaiseki-style dining. Food Security Watch: Australia’s bee industry warns varroa mite could cause a near 300,000-hive shortfall for peak pollination season, threatening a broad range of crops.

Workplace Pay: The Fair Work Commission has confirmed a 4.75% rise to Australia’s national minimum wage from 1 July 2026, lifting it to $1004.90 a week (and $26.44 an hour). Food & Fraud: A Stellenbosch woman says she was tricked by scammers posing as police into transferring $9,999 for a “security check” after being accused of drug trafficking. Health & Diet: A new study links higher intake of ultraprocessed foods with a 58% higher risk of developing dementia. Climate & Costs: A “super” El Niño is forecast to raise the odds of extreme heat, with warnings it could push grocery prices higher. Retail & Convenience: Ocado is rolling out World Cup “half-time delivery” bundles with themed food and drink packs. Food Industry Watch: A meta-analysis reports meat-related studies tied to the meat industry are far more likely to find meat isn’t harmful.

Workplace Pay: The Fair Work Commission has lifted Australia’s National Minimum Wage by 4.75%, affecting about 2.8 million award-reliant workers, with industry groups warning the jump adds pressure on already cost-stretched hospitality and liquor retailers. Supermarket Rules: The government has rejected divestiture in the supermarket inquiry response, but is moving ahead with a mandatory merger control regime from 1 January 2026 and a new ban on excessive pricing from 1 July 2026. Herbicide Push: Calls are growing to ban paraquat nationwide, despite it being under review for decades and still used in Australia even though it’s banned in 70+ countries, with Parkinson’s Australia and Senator David Pocock leading the push. Food Safety Recall: Nestlé-owned Allen’s has recalled Inside Outs lollies after plastic was found in some bags due to an equipment failure at a contract manufacturer. Beer & Brewing: Lion plans to close James Boag’s Launceston brewery by November 2026, raising questions about the brand’s Tasmanian identity as production shifts. Agriculture Supply: Australia has imported one million tonnes of fertiliser since the Iran war disrupted trade, with biosecurity steps fast-tracked to keep winter crops supplied. Farming Threat: Grower groups in WA are seeking an emergency permit for higher-dose zinc phosphate mouse bait as mouse numbers surge ahead of seeding. Dining Scene: San Telmo is set to open in Brisbane in late June, bringing its Argentinian asado-led style to Queensland’s fast-moving restaurant market. Cooking at Home: Coles chef Michael Weldon is promoting winter comfort-food meal prep with shepherd’s pie and kimchi mac and cheese. Packaging Watch: Unpackit awards have named a “franken-can” packaging as Australia’s worst, adding to the sustainability pressure on brands.

El Niño Food Shock: The UN’s weather agency warns a moderate-to-strong El Niño could strengthen over 2026, raising the risk of drought, heavy rain and heatwaves—conditions that can hit farm yields and lift global food prices. Middle East Supply Chain Strain: The Iran war is disrupting energy and fertiliser inputs, pushing up costs for growers and increasing the risk of shortages, with the UN’s World Food Programme flagging potential record hunger. IFF Reshuffle: IFF will divest its Food Ingredients business, keeping a minority stake as it focuses on higher-growth, higher-margin segments—an ingredients-sector move with knock-on effects for Australian food manufacturers. Packaging Pushback: A “franken-can” (plastic-metal hybrid) has been named Australia’s worst packaging at the Unpackit awards, adding pressure for stronger national packaging rules. Dairy Watch: EU milk collection rose 4% in March and farm-gate milk prices fell 19% year-on-year, signalling ongoing dairy price pressure. Coffee & Convenience: A new Oceana Coffee expansion highlights roastery and commercial kitchen capacity aimed at helping local food and beverage startups scale. Hospitality Pipeline: Crown Melbourne’s $200m redevelopment will add 15+ venues, including Michelin-recognised Mott 32 opening in March 2027.

High-Protein Freezer Push: Fitness Outcomes is expanding its ready-meal and protein range with Hi-Protein Chicken Fettucine, Loaded Mac and Cheese, and Pesto Chicken Penne, each targeting 26–32g protein per serve, now in Woolworths and Coles nationwide. Spritz-Style RTD Growth: CINCiN has launched a premium canned “Mistaken Negroni” (Negroni Sbagliato-inspired) made with Prosecco instead of gin, plus a Discovery pack covering its spritz lineup. Convenience Smoothies Go Wide: Harvest Pantry’s frozen ready-to-blend protein smoothies have rolled into 950 Woolworths stores, aiming to make “blender in under 30 seconds” nutrition easier for busy families. Avocado Supply-Chain Tech: Woolworths and Avocados Australia are trialling VR training for avocado pickers, packers and staff in Adelaide, funded via Hort Innovation, to standardise handling and improve eating consistency. Macadamia Supply Watch: A sector update at China’s nut and dried fruit exhibition says Australia’s 2025 macadamia output was hit by heavy rain and cyclones (down ~50%), while China’s harvest was stronger, lifting expected 2026 global supply. Sesame Oil Export Surge: Korean sesame oil exports hit a record in Jan–Apr 2026, up 37% in value, with Australia among the faster-growing destinations. Hospitality Cost Pressure: Australia’s minimum and award wages rise 4.75% from 1 July, lifting the minimum wage to $24.44/hour, with food services and retail among the most affected. Regional Tourism Boost: Brown Brothers will redevelop its Milawa cellar door and restaurant precinct, adding a new year-round outdoor dining destination “The Arbour” due for completion in Oct 2026.

Food security & climate: Oxfam Australia says the rich-poor gap is widening, with 3.7m Australians in poverty and one in three households facing food insecurity, as billionaire wealth rises by $25.7bn. Renewables & power for food systems: Reporting on South Africa’s climate push highlights how shifting away from coal and transport emissions is tied to keeping extreme weather in check. Aquaculture & risk: A market report flags growth in shrimp farm insurance as disease and disasters hit aquaculture operations. Packaging & policy: The Australian Beverages Council renews its call for packaging reform. Retail & grocery pressure: Coverage includes Aldi shoppers facing new card-charge rules, and broader signals of cost pressure in household spending. Industry & brand moves: Asahi Beverages appoints Mindshare as its new media agency for national strategy and buying. Food culture & events: Queen Victoria Market launches a surplus-food rescue initiative to help feed vulnerable Melburnians. Global food-tech watch: Lab research suggests mosquitoes can learn to associate DEET with a blood meal, reinforcing the need for regular repellent reapplication.

Gas Transition Pressure: Grattan Institute warns Australia must prepare for life after gas, citing falling demand for domestic and LNG exports and warning of higher bills, missed climate targets and potential factory closures if policy doesn’t speed up. Aid Budget Shift: Australia’s ODA rises in nominal terms but falls in real terms, with some multilateral funding reduced as global shocks reshape priorities. Hospitality Under Strain: Miznon closes its Collingwood restaurant after two years, blaming weak trading and noting antisemitism may have played a role. Wine & Events: Adelaide Hills brings back Matt Preston as ambassador for the Winter Reds Festival, while Vinexpo Asia spotlights strong international trade interest. Food Festival Demand: The Curated Plate 2026 program is now live in Queensland, with more than 50 events and tickets already close to selling out. Waste-Less Baking: Too Good to Go expands in Canberra, helping bakeries sell surplus premium pastries. Energy Costs Hit Farming: Rabobank flags wheat crop cutbacks as farmers respond to fuel, fertiliser and dry conditions, with global oil-price risks feeding through. Protein for Muscle: New research backs pairing strength exercise with higher protein to better support ageing muscles.

World Cup food tourism: Vancouver is gearing up for match-day crowds with restaurants and cafés installing TVs and reshaping menus for international fans, including halal-friendly communal dining and take-home fondue dinners. Road safety backlash: Former Australia captain David Warner faces heavy criticism after a “designated driver” Instagram post following a mid-range drink-driving charge. Food supply pressure: A mouse plague is hitting rural Australia, with farmers reporting extreme infestation levels and scrambling to protect grain crops with poison and replanting. Trade & agriculture ripple: India and Oman’s CEPA kicks in June 1, expanding duty-free access for Indian exports including agriculture and industrial goods. Beef price squeeze: US beef prices are at record highs, driven mainly by drought-linked cattle herd shrinkage and tight supply. Laos cave rescue: Rescuers freed five villagers and are racing to reach two missing miners as heavy rains threaten operations; Australia divers are among the international teams.

Beef Prices Surge: Beef has hit record highs, with economists pointing to a shrinking US cattle herd after drought-driven herd losses and steady demand—so the “sticker shock” is more than just inflation. Poultry Trade Lift: China has reopened HPAI-related poultry import access for 17 US states, potentially boosting chicken export volumes. Gin Goes Global: Larrikin Bourbon Co launches “Koala Bare” modern Australian gin in the US, built on native botanicals like wattleseed and lemon myrtle. Olive Oil Push into China: Spain’s olive oil sector ramps up a two-year China campaign via supermarkets, restaurants and SIAL Shanghai to grow extra virgin adoption. Food Science Spotlight: A new explainer breaks down umami as the “fifth taste” and how chefs can build it through ingredients and technique. Hospitality & Drinks Events: Hospitality on the Beach reveals its 2026 lineup and dates, while chilled rosé/red-wine summer trends keep popping up in retail coverage.

Food safety & health: A new Lancet Planetary Health study links climate change to rising antibiotic resistance in Salmonella, with resistance genes up about 10% since 1940 as temperatures and rainfall shift. International trade & agri-food: An international delegation toured Victoria’s Goulburn Valley, visiting SPC and Kalafatis Fresh Produce as part of a push to turn introductions into longer-term food and beverage partnerships. Australian food industry & operations: Wilmar’s global sugar and ethanol head Jean-Luc Bohbot is leaving the company, according to Reuters, as the trader reshuffles leadership. Wine & exports: Australia’s top chardonnays took major honours at the London Wine Fair Icon Tasting, with Tasmania’s Tolpuddle Vineyard winning and other Australian labels placing strongly. Retail & sustainability: Woolworths expands its soft plastics recycling to 700 stores nationally, continuing pressure to improve packaging end-of-life. Food prices pressure: A separate global affordability squeeze story flags tomatoes as a key example of how rising input and shipping costs can hit everyday food budgets.

Food safety & regulation: DTU-EFSA’s SafeNov consortium is set to speed up EU novel food approvals, aiming to cut the current three-year process by 6–12 months while keeping safety standards for new proteins, algae and insects. Food & beverage market signals: IWSR research says Gen Z and Millennials are driving growth in sustainable, organic and “alternative” wine, with older buyers showing lower interest—an important read for Australian wine marketers. Retail & product innovation: v2food’s Daring plant chicken is rolling onto Aussie shelves, adding pressure to mainstream protein options. Industry & trade: Singapore and Vietnam pledged to keep trade flows open and fast-track rice supply cooperation, with food security a key plank. Legal & consumer impacts: Australia’s PFAS “forever chemicals” lawsuit against 3M continues to build, with potential downstream pressure on food and water supply risk management. Public health caution: A UK woman jailed for life over death cap mushroom poisoning is set to appeal, keeping attention on food safety and toxicology.

Competition Watch: The ACCC has opened a preliminary probe into Uber Eats’ exclusive deals with retailers, including Bunnings, after rivals say the arrangements lock out smaller delivery players and entrench Uber Eats’ power. Food & Drink Industry: Great Northern’s “The Great Shout” returns, matching Rural Aid donations up to $100,000 as Queensland farmers battle drought, flood and rising costs. Wine & Spirits: Winemaker Elena Brooks says Australians are “drinking less but drinking better”, with premium wine demand rising; meanwhile St Agnes is pushing a brandy revival, citing strong growth for its aged XO range. Food Supply & Consumer Trends: Cottage cheese is getting hit by viral demand, with shoppers reporting frequent shelf shortages despite increased production. Policy & Welfare: The Green Party is criticising a move to automate benefits decisions, warning it could leave people without support—an issue that directly affects household food security. Food Safety & Tech: AIFST’s Food Microbiology Conference put microbes and technology shaping food safety front and centre, including antimicrobial resistance and Salmonella risks.

Airport Dining: Sydney Airport’s T2 Domestic is getting a new “The Rocks” dining precinct opening in July, bringing MoVida, ST. ALi and The Taphouse into a relaxed 680sqm social space for pre-flight coffee, lunch and drinks. Public Health & Food Security: A diphtheria outbreak is hitting Australia’s remote Northern Territory communities hardest, with overcrowded housing, transport and healthcare barriers, and lack of affordable healthy food flagged as key drivers behind “diseases of poverty.” Legal & Chemicals: Australia has launched its biggest-ever lawsuit against 3M over PFAS “forever chemicals” contamination from firefighting foam used at 28 defence bases, seeking more than A$2bn in damages and alleging 3M misrepresented safety. Food & Drink Innovation: Lv Jie is pushing into Southeast Asia with RTD apple cider vinegar—sachets and canned drinks—aimed at making the wellness staple taste better and fit busy lifestyles. Health & Climate: A Lancet study links climate change to higher antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella, with extreme heat and erratic rainfall tied to more resistance genes.

PFAS Legal Battle: Australia has launched a landmark AU$2bn lawsuit against 3M over “forever chemicals” from firefighting foam used at 28 defence bases, alleging 3M withheld risk information; 3M says it never manufactured PFAS in Australia and will fight the claim. Food & Drink Retail: Red Rooster is bringing back the Chicken & Gravy Pie with Four’N Twenty and says every pie will include free tomato sauce for five weeks, aiming to end the “paying for sauce” debate. Hospitality Reopening: Harvest Hospitality has relaunched Adelaide’s Crown Inn after a $2m renovation, expanding the bistro, refreshing sports bar tech, and updating the wine list with a South Australian focus. Industry Pulse: About 200 producers and ag leaders met in Dalby for Protein 2026, discussing meat and legume trade, tech and talent, with Food Leaders Australia highlighting the region’s big role in food security. Airport Dining: Sydney Airport’s T2 Domestic is set to open The Rocks dining precinct, adding MoVida, ST. ALi and Taphouse-style options for travellers. Fast-Food Supply Snag: Subway Australia customers report a prolonged pickle shortage, with complaints stretching into a second year.

Food insecurity: A Salvation Army survey of 4,400 Australians receiving emergency relief says 91% skipped meals in the past year, with 67% watering down food or drinks and nearly one in five eating from bins—fuelled by the cost-of-surviving crisis. Beef & retail M&A: Hewitt Foods has agreed to acquire Nolan Meats, with completion expected in the second half of 2026; Nolan says operations will continue “business as usual” at its Queensland site. Grants for food tech: The National Reconstruction Fund’s IGP has dispensed $201.5m so far, with new food and beverage sector grants including inland recirculating aquaculture and AI weed-management services. Beverage marketing: Coca-Cola becomes Official Supplier for the CommBank Socceroos and CommBank Matildas, launching limited-edition packs at Coles from 10 June. Inflation watch: Australia’s CPI rose 0.4% in April and 4.2% year-on-year, with food and non-alcoholic beverages up 2.8%.