Page 6 - Food&Drink magazine July 2021

NEWS
✷ TOP HITS
THE MOST VIEWED STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE LAST MONTH
ACCC GREENLIGHTS WOOLIES, PFD
The ACCC has approved Woolworths’ acquisition of a 65 per cent stake in PFD Food Services, saying it was unlikely to lessen competition.
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SENATE ASKS, WHAT IS MEAT?
A senate inquiry into the use
of animal protein labels by alternative proteins will specifically look at the
potential damage done to the meat industry.
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REVIEW OF JBS, RIVERLEA SALE
The ACCC is considering whether a public review is required for JBS S.A.’s acquisition of pig breeder and processing company Rivalea for $175 million.
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ARNOTT’S SUSTAINABILITY ROADMAP
The biscuit powerhouse releases official sustainability
policy of four commitments under three pillars: source, make, and connect.
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$1M GRANT FOR HARVESTB START-UP Plant-based ingredients system start-up Harvest B is one of six manufacturers to receive funding in the first round of the AMGC Commercialisation Fund.
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$9.2M SETTLES CRUNCHY DISPUTE
Kraft Heinz Australia will pay $9.25 million to Bega Cheese
as the lengthy legal proceedings
between the two comes to an end.
ACCC considers JBS,
Riverlea $175m acquisition
THE Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) is considering whether a public review is required for JBS S.A.’s acquisition of pig breeder and processing company Rivalea for $175 million.
JBS announced it has signed an agreement to buy 100 per cent of Rivalea Holdings and Oxdale Dairy Enterprise (together, “Rivalea”) from Singapore-listed food company QAF Limited.
There is an alternative bidder for the business, BE Campbell, which the ACCC said did not require a public review.
JBS said Rivalea’s vertically integrated business with product lines across several categories would allow JBS to increase its product diversification in Australia.
Rivalea currently accounts for 26 per cent of hogs processed domestically.
JBS Global CEO Gilberto Tomazoni said the acquisition
would see JBS become the largest pork processor in Australia. JBS would add brands to its portfolio to accelerate the growth of the value-added and branded businesses as well as strengthening its export platform, he said.
“It will increase the volumes of value-added products using pork meat within the Primo business,” Tomazoni said.
JBS Australia CEO Brent
Eastwood said: “With total annual sales of around
$400 million, an EBITDA of
$37 million, two facilities and more than a thousand employees, Rivalea already has sustainability as the focus of its business strategy.
“The company also sells well-known Australian consumer brands that will strengthen our presence with consumersandcustomers.” ✷
Arnott’s Group releases sustainability roadmap
THE Arnott’s Group has released a formal sustainability statement and agenda, outlining four commitments under the three key pillars of Source ingredients; Make its products; and Connect with
its community.
The four commitments are:
Sustainable Ingredients:
Sustainably grow and source 100 per cent of its key ingredients, namely flour, sugar, oils, dairy and cocoa products sustainably by 2035.
Net-zero climate impact:
Achieve net-zero emissions in operations by 2040, and across the value chain by 2050.
Circular Packaging: Reduce, reuse or repurpose 10 per cent
of the plastic packaging it uses by 2025 and meet the 2025 recyclability targets set by the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO).
Thriving Communities:
Increase choice, opportunity and wellbeing by promoting inclusion and belonging, supporting communities and providing more diverse food
options and guidance on nutrition.
The strategy is part of its business transformation being led by the company’s chief transformation officer Simon Lowden. He said the global food system was responsible for creating a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions.
“A more sustainable food system is vital for achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. At The Arnott’s Group we recognise that to build a more sustainable food system in Australia we must make change ourselves and inspire our consumers and our partners to do the same,” Lowdensaid. ✷
6 | Food&Drink business | July 2021 | www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au