AGP Executive Report

Water & Food Security: SunRice is cutting shifts at its Deniliquin and Leeton rice mills after sustained dry conditions and water policy settings, with consultations under way and potential workforce impacts. Food Safety Recall: FSANZ has issued a recall for 10L Mt Ossa Australian Natural Spring Water boxes sold at Woolworths in NSW and Qld after mould contamination was found inside. Regulation Shock for Produce: Australia’s pesticide regulator is proposing up to 500 times higher residue limits on berries for isocycloseram, while “forever chemical” products would carry warnings. Climate Watch: The Bureau of Meteorology says El Niño has formed and could intensify later in 2026, with risks to crop planting and food supplies across Asia. Biosecurity: A Sunshine Coast wildlife rescue is expanding quarantine capacity after a sick seabird raised fears of H5 bird flu reaching Queensland. Sustainable Freight: Patrick Terminals’ $7m Fremantle trial found heavy-duty electric terminal tractors cut operating costs and greenhouse emissions. Food Waste Hack: A Paddy’s Markets ambassador shares recipes that use broccoli leaves and stalks to cut waste and save money.

Food Manufacturing Innovation: Central Coast Food Manufacturing Innovation Hub has officially opened, offering eight commercial-scale food production spaces plus pilot facilities and growth support for local makers. Spirits & Retail: Amber Beverage Australia adds Pallini limoncello to its premium spirits portfolio from 1 September, betting on limoncello’s “everyday” growth in Australia. Marine Food Chain Shock: South Australia’s dolphin deaths have spiked after the Karenia cristata algal bloom, with researchers linking the worst impacts to prey shortages in Gulf St Vincent. Trade & Inputs: A WTO report flags how the Persian Gulf conflict has disrupted global fertilizer trade, raising food-security risks and highlighting fertilizer import dependence. Business Growth: Davidson’s Organics marks 50 years, pointing to long-term grower relationships and organic integrity as key to staying power. Industry Watch: Prime Drink’s Australian company has collapsed into administration, leaving just $85,000 in the bank.

Food Manufacturing Innovation: The federal government has officially launched the Food Manufacturing Innovation Hub at Ourimbah, backing Central Coast Industry Connect with $17m to help small and medium food makers scale up, test and commercialise new products. Retail & Supply Chain: Myer’s robot-driven distribution centre at Ravenhall has hit a snag, with chief supply chain officer Darren Wedding resigning after 15 months as order-processing issues persist. Fast Food Expansion: Wendy’s opened its first Australian drive-thru in Melbourne’s Dandenong South and reportedly smashed global opening-week records, selling nearly 20,000 burgers and about 6,500 Frostys in the first week. Pet Food Launch: Woolworths has started stocking RAWR cat food, a premium raw-style range made from Australian meat and snap-frozen, positioned as “uncompromised raw nutrition.” Native Food Cooking: Coles’ NAIDOC Week segment with Nornie Bero reworked loaded nachos using taro chips and native ingredients like pepperberry and saltbush. Food & Drink Demand Spike: ANZ data says Australians spent over $7b during the FIFA World Cup period so far, lifting takeaway food, cafes/restaurants and bars/hotels. Bioenergy in Food Park: Delorean received a $1.66m ARENA grant payment for its SA1 Salisbury bioenergy facility in Adelaide’s Northern Adelaide Food Park, supporting upgrades to produce biomethane and biogenic carbon dioxide. New Alcohol Product: Mount Majura Vineyard launched a local vermouth range, aiming to blend classic vermouth methods with native botanicals. Truffle Tourism: RedGround Truffles in Oberon is promoting year-round truffle hunts, with black truffles in winter and white Italian truffles in spring. RTD Hits Australia: BuzzBallz Biggies has made its Aussie debut, with 1.5L “ball” RTDs at 15% ABV.

Digital Border Processing: Australia will ditch paper arrival cards for a digital Australian travel declaration after a Qantas trial, rolling out to more capitals by end-2026 and then to all international airports and seaports over the following 12–18 months, aiming to speed up arrivals and improve data quality. Food & Drink Culture: A summer wine “survival guide” spotlights easy-drinking styles for barbecues and picnics, including pink sparkling options and lighter reds designed to pair with warm-weather food. Industry Events: AIFST26 is set to run alongside foodpro, bringing together food science and technology leaders with a focus on food safety, health and nutrition, processing, policy and sustainability. Alcohol Policy in Sport: England’s Test coach Brendon McCullum has stepped down but will stay with the white-ball setup, amid ongoing scrutiny of team drinking rules and behaviour guidelines. Travel & Health: A report on World Cup travel highlights how public health screening and travel-linked disease risks are being managed during major sporting events.

Food Safety & Quality: Mavis Bank Coffee Factory has achieved Safe Quality Food recertification, extending its certification to April 24, 2027, as it continues exporting Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee to markets including Australia. Agrifood Tourism: Brickendon Estate in Tasmania is opening its historic farm for Sunday roasts and paddock-to-plate dining for the first time in two centuries, aiming to boost interstate winter visitation. Wine & Packaging Trends: Wine writers are predicting more wines in kegs, boxes and cans, with cans/boxes expected to grow as better options emerge for by-the-glass and consumer formats. Nutrition & Food Culture: A piece challenges “nutritionism” — the idea that health comes from optimising individual nutrients — arguing real wellbeing depends on the full picture of life, not just what’s on the plate. Coffee & Consumer Experience: Good Food reviews Toby’s Estate’s flagship Sydney cafe, highlighting its roastery setup and the brand’s ownership shift to Ueshima Coffee Company. Sustainability Lens: Commentary on sustainability argues it’s moving beyond carbon and recycling into energy security, resilient supply chains and food security.

Food Traceability Push: The National Farmers’ Federation has been funded to set up a new body to coordinate how Australia tracks where produce comes from and where it goes, aiming to align systems across the sector and meet rising international demands for proof of origin and production. Marine Food Safety Alert: Scientists say South Australia’s mass marine die-off was driven by the extremely toxic microalga Karenia cristata, warning that similar temperate coastlines worldwide may need to watch for it as conditions change. Health & Nutrition Research: A large UK Biobank study links higher vitamin K1 intake (from leafy greens) with a 16% lower COPD rate and better lung function, with stronger effects among people already at higher risk like smokers. Restaurant Sector Finance: Melbourne celebrity chef Scott Pickett has secured a new financier after the collapse of investment scheme First Guardian left creditors unpaid, as his restaurant group looks to stabilise after earlier funding troubles. Climate Pressure on Farming: The NSW Farmers Association warns food shortages could loom unless Australia becomes more self-reliant on key inputs like fuel and fertiliser, citing cost pressures and El Niño-linked weather risk. Global Trade Diplomacy: India and New Zealand elevated ties to a Strategic Partnership with a target to double trade by 2030, a move that could shape regional food and supply-chain opportunities.

Prime Drinks Fallout: Congo Brands Australia, the local company behind Logan Paul and KSI’s Prime drinks, has entered administration, with ASIC filings citing falling sales and large debts. Food & Packaging Innovation: Magnum Ice Cream has opened an R&D and innovation centre in Bengaluru to speed up product and packaging development for India’s tastes, including cold-chain and transport testing. Diet & Behaviour Science: Adelaide University research finds intermittent fasting can deliver weight loss similar to calorie counting over 18 months, with less constant food-monitoring pressure. Health & Regulation: NSW is moving to restrict nitrous oxide (“nangs”) sales, banning teens and children from buying and tightening access during night hours from November 2026. Food Safety Recalls: Snackbrands Australia has issued urgent recalls for Chickadees snack packets over rubber contamination concerns. Community Food Dignity: Churchill Fellow Ema Wilkes (Neo Community) will study “Pantry to Power” approaches to move people beyond emergency food aid toward food dignity and local leadership. Alternative Proteins: dsm-firmenich has funded five healthy-longevity nutrition projects across Asia Pacific through its Nutrition Research Grant. Retail Sustainability Watch: Southeast Asian retailers’ viral banana-leaf produce packaging is being explored as a potential plastic-reduction model beyond the region.

Food Safety Recall: Snackbrands Australia has issued an urgent recall for Chickadees snack packets after rubber contamination was found, with affected best-before dates listed and shoppers urged to return items for a full refund. Beverage Industry Shock: Congo Brands Australia—the Australian company behind Logan Paul and KSI’s Prime drinks—has collapsed into administration, with millions in debt and only $85,000 cash on hand, raising questions for the local energy drink market. Climate & Farming Pressure: A new study warns global warming is already cutting crop yields (maize, wheat, soy) worth about $20bn a year, with the hit set to grow sharply without emissions cuts—bad news for food security. Protein Trend Watch: Protein claims are reshaping dairy, with high-protein products outgrowing the wider category as brands race to win shoppers with credible nutrition promises. Water Security (Regional): The Scotdesco Aboriginal community in South Australia has finished a $650,000 water security upgrade, adding four storage tanks to lift capacity by 30% and improve drinking water reliability. Food & Drink Culture: K-Café style beverages are spreading globally, driven by social media and customisation, with Korean-inspired lattes and cold drinks gaining traction on Western menus.

Takeaway Tea Boom: Melbourne-founded tea brand T2 is rolling out a new “T2 Go” grab-and-go format, starting at Chatswood Chase and Pitt Street Mall, with a dedicated blend bar and a big push into takeaway matcha as sales surge. Freight & Beer Logistics: Coopers has appointed Visy Logistics as its sole national linehaul provider, aiming to cut interstate truck movements by 6% while expanding capacity and adding new South Australian jobs. New RTD Limoncello: 23rd Street Distillery launches a traditional limoncello and a limoncello fizz spritz RTD nationwide, leaning into aperitivo and spritz culture. Food Safety Tech (NZ): Synexis and IXOM are partnering after MPI approval for continuous indoor pathogen control in dairy and non-dairy facilities. Wine Trade: First Ridge Wines appoints Clarity Cru Wine Merchants to distribute its Italian-varietal range across NSW and the ACT. Sommelier Spotlight: Australia’s 2026 Sommelier Challenge winner Paolo Saccone is set to represent the country in Portugal. NAIDOC Campaign: Cooee Native Foods runs a Sydney and Melbourne digital out-of-home campaign with JCDecaux to spotlight native foods and First Nations growers during NAIDOC Week. Agriculture & Wool: The 42nd Queensland Garden Show opens, while the Australian Sheep and Wool Show spotlights “farm to fashion to plate” with lamb, woolcraft and regional producers.

Food Waste & Packaging: RMIT and End Food Waste Australia have launched a new packaging research centre to help SMEs test and validate more sustainable packaging without harming shelf life or increasing food waste. Date-Label Clarity: Nestlé is rolling out “Sniff, Look, Taste” guidance on Maggi 2 Minute Noodles to reduce confusion between Use By and Best Before dates. M&A in Baking: Associated British Foods has completed its acquisition of Hovis, combining it with Allied Bakeries to form Hovis Bakeries and push growth via innovation and direct-to-store reach. Alcohol Policy (Road Safety): LifeSafer Alcohol Interlock is launching in NSW, supporting the state’s mandatory interlock program with breath-test start prevention and camera-linked accountability. Industry Growth Signals: PepsiCo says international snacks and beverages delivered strong organic growth in Q2, with India driving Asia-Pacific volume gains. Drinks Culture Shift: New research highlights Gen Z turning away from alcohol as socialising and health concerns reshape drinking habits.

Smart Farming Deal: Kalfresh has teamed up with WELTEC BIOPOWER to build a bioenergy facility at Kalbar, Queensland, turning crop residues and processing waste into renewable by-products and returning digestate as biofertiliser. Industry Event Watch: foodpro 2026 returns to Melbourne (26–29 July) with 20% more space, 400+ exhibitors and 9,000+ attendees, alongside the AIFST Convention for food science and regulatory-focused sessions. Food & Water Pressure: SunRice plans major scale-backs at its Leeton and Deniliquin rice mills, citing dry conditions and water policy settings, with potential job impacts looming. Beverage Market Insight: IWSR says RTDs are still the standout growth driver globally, with spirit-based variants gaining while malt-based RTDs decline. Policy & Trade Angle: PM Albanese and Modi used the Australia-India CEOs Forum to push faster progress on the proposed CECA and highlight opportunities including food processing. Restaurant/Recipe Culture: The Cook Up with Adam Liaw rolls into World Cup dinner episodes, while new spreads and salsa macha recipes keep the home-cooking buzz going.

Health & Food Policy: The AIHW reports Australians with cancer are living longer (5-year survival up from 50% to 72% over 30 years), but it flags rising diagnosis rates for younger people and broader prevention gaps. Food Safety & Consumer Impact: A Reserve Bank warning says fallout from Middle East tensions could keep lifting everyday prices, with oil shocks feeding through to grocery distribution. Hospitality & Deals: MA Financial’s Redcape Hotel Group buys a Hunter Region hotel portfolio from Iris Capital in a near-$500m freehold transaction, spanning food, beverage, accommodation and entertainment. Industry & Community Meals: Cookaborough’s Support at Home/NDIS meal model is rolling out via country pubs, with residents paying only 30% upfront for cooked-to-order meals. Foodservice Openings: The Dancing Pine opens at Sakura Novi, pitching Korean-style hospitality with Wagyu, seafood and a curated wine program. Dairy Spotlight: SADA’s 20-year awards return, again partnering with Foodland on the Dairy Sustainability Award.

Food & Drink Policy: DrinkWise has launched a responsible-drinking campaign for the Ampol State of Origin decider, urging moderation and respect for fellow fans. Hospitality Tech: AusComply is promoting a mobile-first compliance platform for hospitality and gaming venues, while SENPOS is pushing new POS hardware and kitchen display features for faster ordering. Food Retail & Supply: FAO data points to easing global prices for cereals, sugar and dairy, but higher vegetable oil and record-high meat prices could keep pressure on some staples. Brand Marketing: Mutti is rolling out “Confessions of a Muttiholic: Saucy Stories,” with Sam Kerr narrating fan-inspired romance audio ads. Industry Deal Watch: Redcape Hotel Group has bought a $500m Hunter portfolio from Iris Capital, spanning pubs, hotels and gaming with development approvals attached. Agrifood & Risk: Australia’s poultry industry remains on alert after H5N1 bird flu cases in NSW, the third state to confirm the virus. Recalls: A US recall of Ola-Ola Pounded Yam due to undeclared milk allergen is reported as reaching Australia too. Local Food Culture: Kirsten Tibballs is spotlighting must-visit WA bakeries ahead of the Good Food & Wine Show in Perth.

Australian Poultry Watch: Australia’s poultry industry is on high alert as authorities monitor a potential H5 bird flu outbreak, with seven cases detected nationwide so far and retailers briefed on what happens if it spreads from migratory birds to local flocks. Protein Convenience Push: Simson’s Pantry has launched a new High Protein White Wrap (20g protein per serve) into Coles now, with Woolworths rollout planned for September, as shoppers look for everyday staples that help hit protein goals. Food & Drink NPD: Twisties has released a limited-edition hot honey flavour, riding the viral “hot honey” wave and adding another sweet-and-spicy option to the snack aisle. Beverage/Brand Expansion: Origin Fresh is in talks to raise $10m for a Series A to expand its retail footprint and supply chain, aiming to bring premium fruit and veg to more Indian consumers. Community Beer & Bites: Powder Monkey Brewing Co. is marking its fifth birthday with a free festival in Gosport featuring live music, street food and a new birthday beer. Health & Nutrition Debate: Coverage also flags growing mainstream interest in peptides and the need for caution around what they’re marketed to do.

Food Retail Tech: Cybake ISB bakery ERP is rolling out to Keells supermarkets, helping store teams plan and control fresh food production across 23 sites with full rollout due by September 2026. Hydroponics Supply Chain: BetiLife is pushing a dealer-friendly North America B2B push with ready-to-sell 7-gallon RDWC hydroponic systems in multiple bucket configurations, aiming to simplify sourcing and support for grow shops and online retailers. Wine Industry: Yangarra Estate has locked in a new internal leadership team—Guillaume Camougrand (Head of Winemaking and Viticulture), Shelley Torresan (Senior Winemaker) and Cliff Wickman (Vineyard Manager)—as it moves forward after Peter Fraser’s passing. Health & Food Tech Caution: Researchers warn that gamified nutrition tracking apps can reinforce disordered-eating risks for some users, even as they can help others manage conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Climate & Food Security: Sri Lanka experts say an impending El Niño is unlikely to trigger severe drought impacts, but they’re urging preparedness via home gardening and drip irrigation. Bio/Pharma (Food-adjacent): Argent BioPharma has entered a global licensing deal for CannEpil with Splash Beverage Group, with an upfront ~US$5.5m consideration and a 15% royalty arrangement. Animal Health Alert: New Zealand is preparing for possible H5N1 bird flu arrival as Australia reports more detections in wild birds, with public health risk assessed as low.

Food Relief Boost: Victoria is investing $5m to triple SecondBite capacity by buying a new Derrimut warehouse, cutting transport between sites and adding about 100 million more meals over the next decade. Dairy Labelling Crackdown: Lactalis has been fined $59,400 by the ACCC over “misleading” fresh milk claims, with products found to contain substantial reconstituted ingredients. Juice Recall: Bellevue Orchard has recalled 1L and 2L Summer Snow apple juices due to mould contamination fears, advising refunds and checking best-before dates. New Product Launch: Tahini Neri has debuted a Labneh lineup in Coles—Original, Red Capsicum and Onion & Chive—positioned as a high-protein Mediterranean spreadable dip. Global Food Prices: FAO’s Food Price Index dipped 0.4% in June, with cereals down (Cereal Price Index -3.5%) as wheat and maize eased. Airport Food & Drink: Perth Airport has refreshed its T1 International retail and hospitality precinct with 14 new or revitalised outlets, including WA-focused dining and local produce.