AGP Executive Report

Food & Beverage Exports: Greece and Cyprus are pushing key dairy and fruit into the US, with a €3.62m EU-backed campaign to boost Greek kiwifruit and PDO Halloumi exports—timed for a Miami tasting during the Americas Food & Beverage Show. Retail & Supply Chain: Woolworths will stop buying Tasmanian beef from 2027, ending its long-running relationship with JBS’s Longford abattoir and raising fresh pressure for local processing jobs. Wine & Cash Flow: Australian Vintage reports its first positive underlying free cash flow since FY22, citing inventory reset and investment in new brands as it targets FY27 growth. Hospitality & Consumer Trends: Father’s Day dining deals are rolling out with big-ticket steak and roast specials across Australia, signalling continued demand for “treat” occasions despite cost pressure. Disaster Response (Food Security Angle): Australia pledges $5m in aid for Nepal-Tibet flood victims, including $2m via the World Food Programme—while officials warn a second wave risk remains. Workforce & Costs: New ABS data shows real wage cuts deepening as inflation outpaces pay, adding to the squeeze on household food budgets.

Disaster Relief & Travel: Australian tour operators Intrepid Travel and Explore Worldwide have launched fundraising appeals for communities hit by Nepal–Tibet flash floods, working with the Australian Red Cross and British Red Cross; Intrepid will match donations up to AUD$100,000. Climate & Food Risk: A new study says human-caused global heating is intensifying El Niño events, warning of stronger climate hazards and knock-on effects for food and prices. Food & Drink Innovation: The Lakes Distillery has launched its UK limited-edition Chocolatier single malt after winning Gold at the IWSC, blending cocoa notes with sherry cask ageing. Retail & Consumer Trends: KFC’s Flamin’ Hot Cheetos menu is rolling out in Canada, showing how far fast-food brands are willing to go with novelty flavours. AgTech & Livestock: ZELP unveiled a low-cost device to measure methane from individual cows, aiming to help farmers cut emissions with near real-time tracking. Packaging & Waste: Plastic Bank highlighted how “waste doesn’t disappear” when collection systems fail, pointing to landfill impacts on water, ecosystems and livelihoods.

Himalayan Disaster: Nearly 1,500 people are missing across Nepal and China’s Tibet after a glacier-fed wall of mud and rock collapsed into a Himalayan river, triggering flash floods that have killed at least 165 and are expected to rise as rescuers reach cut-off communities. Tourism Impact: Authorities say hundreds of foreign travellers are unaccounted for, including dozens of Australians, as helicopters and emergency drops continue and some border routes remain disrupted. Co-op Funding: Australia’s Bunya Fund has awarded more than A$70,000 to seven early-stage co-operatives, with recipients tackling issues like food security and regional jobs. Retail & Dividends: Woolworths lifted its fully franked dividend as household spending held up in July, while other ASX names including Perseus Mining and WiseTech also announced higher payouts. Food & Drink Business: Jarlicious Cupcakes has added Afterpay for Australia-wide online orders, expanding payment flexibility for its shelf-stable jar cupcakes. Wellness & Food Culture: A new “Urja” wellness retreat at Four Seasons Kuda Huraa in the Maldives spotlights naturopathic routines built around food, recovery and calm.

Grocery stress hits harder in Australia: A Finder survey says cost-of-living pressure is pushing some shoppers into risky behaviour, including deliberate self-checkout scanning for cheaper items (870,000 people) and eating food past its date (about 3 million). Supermarket earnings spotlight: Woolworths beat profit expectations, lifting underlying net profit to A$1.60b for FY27 and flagging that tight budgets will keep shoppers hunting bargains. Packaging and waste watch: UQ research finds single-use takeaway paper cups with plastic linings release micro- and nanoscale particles into hot drinks, with PLA-lined cups releasing far more than PE-lined ones. Food safety and consumer risk: Separate reporting highlights growing concerns about people turning to “expired” food to save money, underlining the health and safety angle of supermarket affordability. Global food supply anxiety: Coverage also flags broader food-price pressure themes tied to extreme weather and supply shocks, with Australia positioned as exposed through import and supply-chain links.

Inflation & Food Prices: Australia’s CPI eased to 3.5% in July (from 3.8%), but underlying “trimmed mean” inflation stayed at 3.6%, keeping the RBA cautious; housing drove the biggest lift, while food and non-alcoholic beverages rose 3.2%—a reminder that cost pressure is still filtering into everyday baskets. Water & Agri Supply: Barnaby Joyce attacked the federal water buy-back as a “jihad”, warning Australia isn’t building enough water storage as irrigation rules bite and bird flu risk grows—an issue that could quickly hit food availability and input costs. Bird Flu Fallout for Retail: Perth butchers report chicken sales down 20–25% (and up to 60% at one shop) as consumer anxiety spreads after H5N1 detections in wildlife. Supermarket Spotlight: Woolworths’ strong results are pulling fresh attention to Australia’s grocery sector, with investors watching how digital growth and premium ranges are holding up. Sugar Tax Push: New Griffith research backs a 20% levy on sugary drinks, estimating millions of tooth-decay cases could be avoided over 25 years. Pet Food Innovation: Qantas ex-engineer Colin McGregor’s algae protein is set to hit Coles via a Genesis–Proudi merger, aiming to scale sustainable pet nutrition.

Supermarket Watch: Woolworths is set to report whether its profit margin bounced back after a sales dip during the “Ooshie” squishy collectible promo, with Coles suggesting any recovery may be incomplete. Food Labelling & Regulation: India’s FSSAI has dropped plans for colour-coded front-of-pack warnings after industry pushback, with the Supreme Court now scrutinising the move—an issue that could shape global packaged-food standards. Food Safety Alarm: China has launched inspections after a viral claim that cabbages were treated with formaldehyde, prompting warnings of “severe punishment” for violators. Biosecurity & Risk: Australia confirmed a long-nosed fur seal on mainland soil tested positive for H5N1, while experts warn backyard bird feeding can amplify spread. Health in Focus: A study of Australian infants finds biphasic anaphylaxis occurs in about 4.6% of cases, with younger children showing age-specific symptom patterns that can delay recognition. Wine & Hospitality: The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill says strong first-half 2026 performance is driving franchise expansion and global growth.

Food security pressure: A new report says mounting fuel, fertiliser and freight costs are taking a growing human toll on Australian farmers, with stress, anxiety and emotional exhaustion worsening alongside repeated disasters. Climate-to-food impacts: El Niño is expected to lift food prices via inflation pressures, while PNG stakeholders have endorsed a 2026-27 agricultural drought plan to protect rural livelihoods. Dairy/poultry reshuffle: PAG is selling its stake in Cordina Farms, clearing the way for a merger with US giant OSI’s Turosi to create a major local poultry player. Retail grocery moves: Coles plans about 45 new supermarkets over two years and major refurbishments, while closing 30 Liquorland stores in 2026/27. Hospitality & food culture: Matcha orders in Australia have surged, with the $8 drink now treated like a menu staple. Labelling & fraud watch: The ACCC is investigating claims from Four Corners about misleading food labels and possible adulteration in supermarket products. Wine research: A review revisits the “J-shaped” wine-health story, noting how study methods and lifestyle factors make clear conclusions hard.

Food Safety & Testing: A new market forecast says global food pathogen testing will jump from US$16.49b (2026) to US$23.90b by 2031, driven by stricter rules and faster detection needs. Packaging & Sustainability: PepsiCo says it cut virgin plastic in primary packaging by 6% (2024–2025) while lifting recycled content from 15% to 18%, though it still sits below its 2030 target. Climate & Food Security: Reports warn global food supplies are under threat from heat, conflict and lower crops, with El Niño risks also pushing up food-price pressure. Biosecurity: Australia’s H5 bird flu has been detected in a mainland mammal (long-nosed fur seal), raising fears of wider spread to seal and sea lion colonies. Industry/Trade: Australia helps shape new international food standards at Codex meetings, while NSW and India are pushing trade and investment ties that include agri-food cooperation. Retail & Dining: Asahi shifts Australian soft drinks to 100% recycled PET, and Target is leaning harder into food and beverage with more shelf space for emerging brands.

Global Food Security: The New York Times flags a fragile food system built on “seamless trade, cheap energy, stable climate”, warning conflicts, climate-driven drought and heat are already undermining wheat and other staples—Australia’s wheat and fertiliser pressures are part of the risk picture. Nightlife & Food Demand: A new Australian Nighttime Economy report says 4.1 million Australians work at night and the after-dark economy is diversifying beyond alcohol, with food, entertainment and culture boosting city vibrancy and local spending. Retail Value Push: Woolworths expands its Lower Shelf Price range by 105 products to 1,035 items, including meal staples like mince, chicken, eggs and cheese, as shoppers chase dependable low prices. Biosecurity Spotlight: National Biosecurity Week kicks off with major landmarks lit blue, underlining biosecurity’s role in protecting the food Australians eat and the industries behind it. Bird Flu Watch: Victoria begins what’s described as the world’s largest wild-bird vaccination effort, with 1,000+ little penguins receiving H5 bird flu doses. Industry Finance: Endeavour Group reports FY26 sales up slightly but profit down sharply, citing strategy execution and value-led pricing.

Health Myth-Busting: A new explainer revisits Linus Pauling’s vitamin C cold claims, noting later research doesn’t support mega-doses as a cure. Food Charity & Community: West Coast Eagles players cooked with Foodbank WA for the Meal Makers fundraiser, spotlighting food relief work. Energy Costs: Consumer and small business groups urge the AER to cut the Rate of Return Instrument after arguing network charges are overloading households. Emergency Calling: Telcos launch clearer guidance for calling Triple Zero (000) after Optus and Telstra outages left people unable to connect. Food & Drink Culture: A viral study-style report says sweetening red wine with xylitol made it more appealing to Gen Z. Food Safety/Industry: Auckland FC has terminated its NZ Muscle supplement deal amid a Commerce Commission inquiry into alleged unethical conduct. Food Systems & Climate: Forecasts warn El Niño could be the hottest on record, with knock-on risks for agriculture and food prices.

Alcohol labelling push: FSANZ rules will require calorie counts on liquor labels (and cancer warning labels are next), with all alcohol to carry the new energy info by 2028. Retail disruption: Coles’ website and app crashed for hours after a viral Reddit post flagged near-80% discounts on some Liquorland premixed alcohol 24-packs, triggering a rush of orders. Food trends & health: “Butter mukbang” videos are spreading overseas, but doctors warn that eating whole blocks of butter can drive extreme calorie and saturated-fat intake. Water & rice jobs: A federal package is set to support SunRice mills in NSW Riverina after intervention tied to water policy concerns blamed for reduced irrigation volumes. Korean hiring demand: A job fair in Melbourne and Sydney shows growing recruitment for Korean food manufacturing and baking roles as K-food demand rises. Seafood/recipes: SBS shared fresh Cook Up recipes featuring prawns, crème fraiche chicken and spring green spaghetti for everyday Aussie cooking.

Front-of-pack nutrition: Australia’s Health Star Rating plan moves into another step, with hundreds of submissions received in the first consultation round on making the at-a-glance stars compulsory for most packaged foods (with alcohol and some special products exempt). Packaging shift: Asahi Beverages has completed its switch of Australian soft drink bottles to 100% recycled PET, covering major brands including Schweppes, Solo and Pepsi Max, backed by new domestic recycling capacity. Plastic exposure trial: A Perth study found that cutting plastic contact in food handling and switching to lower-plastic personal care products can reduce phthalates and bisphenols in urine within a week. Food culture & travel: Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort Fiji has appointed Australian chef Shaun Thomson as executive chef, aiming to reposition the eco-luxury property as a culinary destination. Food safety recall: Mr Chen’s Szechuan Chilli Oil and Walter’s Artisan Bread Banana Loaf have been pulled from shelves in Australia. Global food pressure: El Niño warnings are again tied to potential weather disruption and higher food prices, with impacts expected across harvests and supply chains.

Retail Alcohol Flash-Sale Fallout: Coles’ website and app went offline after a viral Reddit post flagged near-80% discounts on Liquorland premixed alcohol 24-packs, with reports of orders later being cancelled. Marine Restoration: Australia-backed oyster reef projects are aiming to rebuild habitat, with funding and habitat restoration efforts highlighted as oysters return to the spotlight. Avian Biosecurity: H5N1 bird flu is spreading across Australia, with hundreds of confirmed events in all states and mass mortality events raising concerns about the scale of the outbreak. Food Safety Incident: Victoria health authorities are investigating two STEC-linked cases in children after a petting farm visit, including one with severe brain and kidney damage. Cattle & Prices (US): Trump’s temporary ground beef import plan sparked backlash from US cattle groups, with fears it won’t fix supply squeeze-driven price pressures. Wine & Awards: Tasmania’s Pooley Syrah took Best in Show at the Sydney Royal Wine Show, signalling strong cool-climate performance. Live Music Costs: New superannuation rules are adding complexity and cost for live venues and musicians, with operators warning budgets may be forced to shrink. Recipe Round-Up: Adam Liaw’s Cook Up features crowd-pleasers including curry sausages with Johnny cakes and kangaroo burgers.

Food & Drink Innovation: Allulose is emerging as a “clean-label” sugar alternative, with brands exploring it for sweetness and baking performance, though high intakes can cause digestive upset. Dairy & Consumer Trends: Bega is leaning into protein-led dairy, reporting revenue up 6.7% on protein yoghurt and flavoured milk, reflecting a wider shift away from cheese toward high-protein products. Packaging & Materials: As beverage makers face aluminium volatility, the industry is also moving on packaging—Asahi has completed a switch to recycled PET across its Australian soft drink range. Trade & Supply: The US is temporarily easing ground beef tariffs to lower prices, with Australia flagged as a major source of increased supply amid a US cattle shortage. Water & Climate Risk: El Niño is building toward an “unprecedented” event, with knock-on effects for drought risk in parts of Australia and major weather disruption that can hit global harvests and food prices. Food Safety & Compliance: An Australian-linked ready-meal expansion story highlights ongoing demand for food-industry jobs, while separate food retail inspections abroad show regulators still cracking down on hygiene and labelling issues.

Dairy Pressure Point: Rabobank warns Australia’s contracting milk pool is squeezing the cheese-first model, with stable demand but margin pressure from supermarket competition and affordability limits, plus GLP-1 potentially weighing on processed cheese categories. Food Retail & Events: Sydney’s Little Food Market returns with 180+ makers at Carriageworks (Aug 21–23), built for tastings and direct-from-producer shopping. Wine & Exports: Cassegrain Wines marks Sri Lanka launch with a local distribution partner, while Dilmah pushes deeper into India’s luxury tea and hospitality via new tea lounges and retail plans. Hospitality Distribution: Paramount Liquor takes over Lion’s keg and packaged beverage distribution in Tasmania from Aug 24, scaling a local warehouse-and-delivery model. Restaurant Stocks: Guzman y Gomez shares surge after FY26 results as it exits the US, leans into Australia momentum, and ramps shareholder returns. Food Security Tech: UNSW-led work uses ocean temperature sensors on fishing vessels to help Pacific tuna fishers adapt to shifting ocean conditions.

Organic Growth: Australia’s certified organic sector has topped A$1bn in annual direct sales for the first time, with A$1.02bn in 2024/25 driven by stronger retail spending and rising exports. Food Safety & Supply Chain: A report flags refrigeration controller flaws that could cause silent spoilage, raising fresh pressure on cold-chain reliability. Regulatory Watch: Australia’s regulator is probing contamination allegations at Skretting, keeping animal feed quality in the spotlight. Beverage Industry: Recorp has entered Australia’s beverage can market, adding to competition in packaging supply. Trade & Climate Risk: Black Sea attacks are disrupting wheat shipments, pushing Asian buyers to consider pricier alternatives like Australia, while El Niño warnings point to broader agriculture and food-cost impacts. New Product Development: BioCheese has unveiled Australia’s first high-protein dairy-free cheese, signalling continued momentum in functional plant-based categories. Market Signals: Hospitality is facing closures and defaults, and one in eight cafes and restaurants have shut in the past year.