AGP Executive Report

Disaster Response: Nepal is seeking more foreign tunnel-rescue and forensic support after the Aug 26 Bhotekoshi floods, with 903 bodies recovered and about 4,200 still unaccounted for as the death toll tops 1,000. Food & Beverage Relevance: While not an F&B story, the scale of disruption is a reminder of how quickly supply chains and food access can be hit during extreme weather. Agri-Tech & Inputs: Health Canada’s June approval for drone pesticide spraying is opening new efficiency opportunities for farmers and small ag businesses. Poultry Industry Deal: OSI Group has agreed to merge its Australian poultry operations with Cordina Group, forming Cordina OSI with expanded reach across Victoria, NSW and Queensland. Marine Health: A major global coral report says reefs can’t recover fast enough between bleaching events, threatening food security and coastal livelihoods. Tech for Learning: Gauth launched over 200 AI math courses, showing how education platforms are moving into more interactive, user-generated content.

Food policy & health: Australia’s ultra-processed foods debate is stuck in limbo, with the NHMRC Dietary Guidelines review on UPFs still ongoing and FSANZ food standards continuing to assess products by nutrients alone, not processing. Retail dividends: Woolworths and Coles both landed stronger fully franked payouts, keeping income investors focused on cash generation and margin recovery in grocery. Fast food & crime: WA police charged a man after meth was allegedly found hidden inside a McMuffin during a vehicle stop in Broome, highlighting how illicit drugs are being concealed in everyday food. Snacks & reformulation: A new dairy-free ice cream brand, Bebop, is pushing “healthier indulgence” across APAC with plant-fat recipes aimed at reducing guilt and bloating. Hospitality & events: Avani’s Sunshine Coast business events push adds meeting capacity for up to 200 delegates, betting on growth in the region’s food and hospitality sector. KFC late-night push: Collins Foods says extended KFC trading to midnight delivered only modest same-store sales lift, with growth slowing after strong prior-year promos.

Biosecurity & Food Supply: Wheat prices are spiking as Russia-Ukraine grain disruptions hit Black Sea exports and drought risk threatens harvests, tightening global supply. Animal Health & Food Chain: Australia’s first known bird flu death in a dolphin underlines how H5N1 is moving beyond birds into marine mammals, with wildlife protection gaps now in focus. Environment & Indigenous Food: A Charles Darwin University study links feral buffalo damage in the Top End to poorer northern long-necked turtle survival, threatening culturally important food species. Food Safety & Counterfeits: Reports on methanol poisoning from contaminated alcohol highlight how small amounts can cause blindness and death—an urgent reminder for regulators and consumers. Retail & Workplace Conduct: Coles faces backlash after a supermarket worker was filmed performing an X-rated act in a freezer aisle, prompting an investigation and job loss. Agribusiness & Processing: Viably’s acquisition of Harp Renewables expands modular aerobic digestion capacity, aiming to scale organic waste-to-soil amendment systems. Beef Trade: Analysis notes Australia exported about 54 times more beef than South Africa in 2025, with animal disease status a key barrier. Disaster Response (Food Logistics): Nepal’s hydropower tunnel rescue is calling for freezers, DNA kits and drones—non-food support that affects how bodies and evidence are handled.

Supermarket Turnaround Watch: Coles and Woolworths both reported stronger supermarket earnings, with Woolworths leading the pack and both pointing to automation, range discipline and “freshness” programs—while Coles also flagged a provision for historical underpayments. Pizza Market Signals: Domino’s Pizza Enterprises shares jumped more than 4% as investors weighed a turnaround narrative alongside fresh takeover chatter. Dining Out Under Pressure: New data shows 64% of Australians are dining out less often as costs bite, with many skipping alcohol, choosing cheaper venues or leaning on promotions. Food Security & Regional Industry: A Regional Australia Institute report says regional economies drive 60% of Australia’s goods exports and can deliver productivity up to five times the national average, including food manufacturing. Seafood Trend Meets Sustainability: Sardines are surging as a “protein” and skin-health trend, but experts warn popularity spikes can strain marine species if demand isn’t managed. Wine Trade Links: Australian wine professionals begin a month-long China immersion program to build relationships and share ideas on sustainability and climate adaptation. Community Fundraising: Bunnings NZ marks 25 years with a doubled sausage sizzle fundraising push supporting local foodbanks and community groups.

Food & Grocery Industry: The Australian Food & Grocery Council says the food and grocery sector hit $182.6b turnover (+5.5%) in 2024-25, with 301,000 jobs (+2.3%) and $4.5b capital investment (+16%); value-added rose 8.2% to $43.4b, with strong growth in meat processing and confectionery. Company Results: SPC Global reported FY26 proforma revenue down 11.8%, but EBITDA margin up to 11.6%, citing a shift to higher-margin products and better branded mix; international EBITDA rose 15.4%. Beverage/Branding: The Ghan is leaning into native ingredients and game with new onboard dishes featuring kangaroo and saltbush. Retail/Promotions: Coles accidentally priced selected liquor 24-packs at a fraction of the usual cost (e.g., $130 to $27) before cancelling orders and refunding affected customers. Food Safety/Policy: A push for front-of-pack warning labels is gaining momentum internationally, with consumers backing prominent sugar/salt/fat warnings.

Food Labelling Watch: India’s Supreme Court has ordered FSSAI to act on mandatory front-of-pack warning labels for foods high in sugar, salt and saturated fat, questioning whether the regulator has been resisting under corporate pressure. Canberra Food Safety: ACT Health has ramped up inspections and issued more improvement notices and some prohibition orders to food businesses, as scrutiny rises across the territory. Viral Grocery Craze: “Sardinemaxxing” is driving sardines off supermarket shelves after TikTok hype, with experts warning about supply and knock-on effects for other seafood. Local F&B Recognition: New Forest producers Hockey’s Farm Shop and New Forest Shortbread have picked up major wins at the Great Taste awards, adding to Australia’s export-ready food credentials. Hospitality Scene: Justin Hemmes’ $50m purchase of the Sackville Hotel signals continued investment and evolution in Sydney’s Balmain-Rozelle pub strip. Supermarket Packaging: A study flags that takeaway cups can release millions of plastic particles, adding pressure on packaging choices.

Alcohol & health: Country star Tom Wolfe says he’s nine months sober after winning a fifth Golden Guitar, calling it a “new lease on life” and saying his music and family life have improved since giving up grog. Tasmania food & drink tourism: A guide links Tasmania’s farm-to-table style to the Roaring Forties’ clean air and cool ocean conditions, spotlighting oysters, cool-climate grapes and native ingredients, plus where to eat and drink around the island. Bird flu risk for households: Australia’s H5 bird flu outbreak is spreading beyond birds, with experts warning that backyard bird feeders can increase cross-species transmission and urging pet owners to be cautious around wildlife. Food supply & climate pressure: Coverage of a “Super El Niño” points to fresh global shocks that could hit aquaculture and food costs, with insect-protein producers citing anchovy shortages as demand rises. Retail/food labelling: A Canadian shopper says Costco beef labels were confusing (front says Canada, back says USDA Choice processed in Canada), raising questions about how consumers interpret food origin claims. NRL & local food tie-ins: North Queensland’s finals spot was sealed in a controversial win over Wests Tigers, with the match dominating headlines alongside broader community chatter.

Nepal Floods: Nepal’s flash-flood death toll has climbed to 626, with nearly 3,000 people still missing across Nepal and China’s Tibet after a glacier collapse; rescue work was paused due to bad weather, while Nepal later agreed to allow limited specialised foreign help for tunnel rescues, DNA testing and forensic ID—Australia is among the countries with missing citizens. Bird Flu Watch: The WHO is urging Pacific countries to step up preparedness for H5N1 after detections in Australia and New Zealand, warning of spillover risk to humans; in WA, a new Bird Flu Wildlife Advisory Group has been formed to guide wildlife-sector response. Chicken Prices: Ingham’s boss Edward Alexander warns poultry costs are rising due to bird flu risk and other cost pressures, signalling retail price impacts even before outbreaks hit local flocks. Dairy Nitrogen Research: New research highlights practical ways to manage nitrogen in pasture-based dairy systems, including restrictive grazing, to cut nitrogen losses while maintaining production. Premium Tea Expansion: Dilmah plans to invest over $1m to build a premium tea lounge network in India, aiming for about 10 outlets by 2030 with tea-led drinks, food pairings and mocktails. Food Security & Weather: Telangana’s monsoon rainfall deficit is reported at 17% (still within “normal” bands), but with forecasts worsening, the remaining monsoon weeks are critical for water and the rabi season.

Food security & prices: Wheat prices jumped to a three-year high as Black Sea shipping fears and renewed attacks on Ukrainian port infrastructure threaten global supply, pushing buyers to consider costlier alternatives including Australian wheat. Disaster response (Nepal-Tibet floods): Nepal reversed its stance on foreign help, allowing limited international search-and-rescue expertise after deadly flash floods left hundreds dead and thousands missing, including dozens of Australians; authorities also warned of a possible second wave from threatened lakes. Product safety (recalls): European recall activity stayed high in H1 2026, with food and beverage recalls up 7.6%, alongside tighter expectations around food labelling and product-safety oversight. Australian food & beverage industry (trade & hospitality): SIGEP Asia 2026 and Restaurant Asia 2026 wrapped in Singapore with 14,000+ trade visitors, 400+ exhibitors and thousands of business meetings—useful signal for regional F&B operators and suppliers. Livestock & beef outlook: Minerva Foods flagged structural cattle production decline in the US and Europe, arguing South America’s beef supply position is strengthening.

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.