Kraft Australia has requested approval from Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) to use phytosterol esters in their low-fat cream cheeses and low-fat processed cheeses. Phytosterol esters, commonly known as plant sterols, are prepared by the reaction of phytosterols with fatty acid methyl esters or free fatty acids. They occur naturally at low levels in common vegetable oils and have been reported as an effective way to reduce cholesterol absorption. Phytosterols are classified as a ‘novel... ...Read more »
The results from the January trading event of Fonterra’s internet-based sales platform, globalDairyTrade, has reflected a continued softening in international dairy prices. The trading manager, CRA International, advised Fonterra that the average price achieved across all products and contract periods for Whole Milk Powder (WMP) was US$2,017 per tonne FAS New Zealand Port - 9.3 per cent lower than for the previous trading event in December. Spot prices rose 1.3 per cent above those for the... ...Read more »
A new report has discovered that, since 1991-92, Australian dairy farmers have improved performance and productivity by continuing to change their management practices and adopt various new technologies. The findings are contained in the report, Australian Dairy industry: use of technology and management practices on dairy farms, 1991-92 to 2006-07, released last week by ABARE Executive Director, Phillip Glyde. Results from a survey conducted by ABARE (Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource... ...Read more »
After a record 2008 year, The Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory are predicting a decline in 2009 earnings. Substantial slumps in world dairy prices over recent months have been the main contributor to the WCB’s pessimistic outlook. Cheddar prices have fallen as much as 35-40%, with skim milk powder and butter at 40-45% and 35-40%. These changing commodity prices reflect a stark contrast to the record high commodity pricesexperienced throughout the 2008 financial year. WCB’s... ...Read more »
Bega Cheese and Kraft Foods Australia have reached a multi-million dollar agreement, which will create 150 new jobs. It involves Bega purchasing a factory at Strathmerton, in northern Victoria, with Kraft committing to a 10-year supply agreement. Under the agreement, Bega Cheese will in turn provide cheese cutting, packaging and processing expertise and capacity for Kraft’s Australian and New Zealand business through a long term supply agreement, while committing to add significant volume to... ...Read more »
Tighter economic conditions are impacting some organic sectors and producers, and by-passing others, according to the Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA). Speculation on whether organic items are in the ‘dispensable luxury’ category when consumer spending curbs, have not been upheld in the organic meat and dairy sectors, but fruit and veg may be under pressure. Alister Ferguson, National Sales Manager for The Australian Organic Meat Company (Sanger Australia), said sales show Australian... ...Read more »
Global demand for dairy food products has risen by 15% from 40.9 million tonnes in 2003 to an estimated 47.0 million tonnes in 2008, according to a new report from food and drink consultancy Zenith International.”Global consumption has increased for all the products we studied,” Zenith Dairy Market Intelligence Manager, Esther Renfrew, commented. “Spoonable yoghurt has seen the greatest growth over the past five years at 23%. Ice cream volume has also advanced swiftly by 18%, with... ...Read more »
Dairy innovation has been a key driver of growth over recent years and it is set to be strengthened with grants to encourage new product development and shape the future commercial success of the Australian industry. Dairy Innovation Australia (DIA) will offer a minimum $200,000 in funding the program for researchers, with grants given to suitable applicants who apply by the January 9, 2009 cutoff date. DIA told DairyReporter.com that up to AUS$2.5m per year could be provided for suitable projects,... ...Read more »
The takeover of Dairy Farmers by Kirin subsidiary National Foods was officially completed on Tuesday, with the cheese joint venture between National Foods and Warrnambool Cheese and Butter (WCB) expected to begin operation early next year. Dairy Farmers Chairman Ian Langdon, who along with other directors will resign from the Dairy Farmers Board today, said the $910m acquisition of the business by National Foods stood to have a positive impact on Dairy Farmers’ shareholders as well as the... ...Read more »
Australian dairy Co-operative Dairy Farmers has been awarded with the world’s best dairy innovation at the 2008 International Dairy Federation (IDF) Marketing Awards for their Thick & Creamy yoghurt .Held in Mexico at the World Dairy Summit last week, the 2008 IDF Marketing Awards received 24 entries from 10 leading dairy companies world-wide. Dairy Farmers General Manager for Marketing & Innovation John Wardley, said the Co-operative had won the prestigious innovation award based on... ...Read more »