Latest news with #Australian-grown
7NEWS
10-07-2025
- Business
- 7NEWS
Bega to shut peanut processing plants in major blow to regional jobs in Queensland
Bega Group has announced it will wind down its Peanut Company of Australia (PCA) operations at Kingaroy and Tolga over the next 18 months. Up until now, these peanuts ended up in jars of Aussie favourite Bega Peanut Butter. The closure marks the end of an era for Queensland's peanut industry, with an expected impact on around 135 factory workers across the two regional sites, as well as leaving around 60 farmers in limbo. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Bega closing peanut processing plant. Despite investments and upgrades since Bega acquired the business in 2017, PCA has struggled under annual financial losses of $5 million to $10 million, the company said. Attempts to sell the business failed, forcing the company to opt for closure. 'We understand the impact this decision will have and will support employees and growers through this difficult transition,' CEO Pete Findlay said. The decision is a significant blow for local growers such as Richard Standen from Tolga, as PCA was the only buyer for their crops. 'Tolga has no other facility for shelling and storage,' Standen told 7NEWS. 'We're virtually at the end of our industry here unless someone invests but I can't see that happening.' Peanut farming made up about one third of Standen's operation, with the rest in maize and grass seed. He said the closure would hit growers' incomes hard and force many to find alternative crops, a challenge given limited market options. The broader industry has faced rising competition from imports, higher input costs, and stronger returns from other crops — factors pushing production and profitability down. Standen said it was the loss of a family legacy, with generations of his family involved in peanut farming. 'It's gutting. We'd hoped the industry would continue, but the writing's been on the wall for a while,' he said. Organised peanut farming began at Kingaroy in Queensland in 1923. Towering over the town, the Peanut Company has been a pillar of the local economy for decades. With the loss of a more than a century-old agricultural industry, Kingaroy now faces a major setback. The closure has sparked anger in the South Burnett community. 'This is a deeply disappointing blow for the region,' Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington said. 'Bega is a highly profitable multinational company and this decision will devastate the local community, who have been loyal to the brand for many years.' Federal Nationals leader David Littleproud described the move as a major blow for the agricultural sector. 'PCA had been processing 19,000 tonnes of Australian-grown peanuts every year in Queensland,' he said. 'Today is a tough day for Queensland agriculture and Bega's employees and contractors.' Bega will offer redundancies and support to employees at the two sites, the company stated. However, it will retain processing facilities in Crestmead and Malanda. Local businesses linked to the peanut industry, including transport, machinery, and chemical suppliers, are also expected to feel the impact, Standen said. Growers are set to meet with Bega next week to discuss options. The group's portfolio includes well-known brands such as Bega Cheese, Vegemite, Dairy Farmers, Daily Juice, Zooper Dooper, Dare Iced Coffee, Masters, Big M, Mildura Juice, and Zoosh .
Sydney Morning Herald
08-07-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Why don't we pay as much attention to the quality of pepper as salt and oil?
The country's best known pepper-growing region is seven hours away from Memot, in Kampo, 'which grows what a lot of people call the champagne of pepper', says Gardiner, who adds that Memot holds its own. 'The soil there is this rich red volcanic stuff, the weather's hot and humid all year. It's perfect for growing punchy, aromatic peppercorns.' Pep's pepper is complex, gloriously aromatic and earthy. It has also caught the attention of some restaurants: Melbourne's Embla, Hope St Radio and Residence at the Potter Museum, and Continental Deli Bar Bistro in Sydney. Chefs Danielle Alvarez, Rosheen Kaul, Raph Rashid, Mitch Orr and Analiese Gregory are also fans. Pep, which is sold from a number of Aussie specialty grocer s around the country, comes in a grinder and refill packs. Pep also just launched a fragrance called Pepfume, made with black pepper oil. What does it smell like? It's got hints of pepper, of course. Some other interesting peppers to buy Global pepper Aussie spice pioneer Herbie's Spices sells a number of peppers, including two centre-long pepper spikes from Indonesia, super grade white peppercorns harvested in India and, for the connoisseur, the impressive Pepperer's Guild Spice Kit, featuring 12 varieties, for $125. Australian-grown pepper Donna Campagnolo is behind L & L Pepperfarms. Based in Silkwood, in tropical North Queensland, she hand-tends, harvests and sun-dries her robust pepper. Aussie Pepper sells Campagnolo's pepper, too. Wild native mountain pepper The sweet profile of Tasmanian mountain pepper is an alternative to black pepper. It's also much punchier and presents a herbal profile. Tasmanian Pepper Co has 3500 native trees. It sells peppercorns and leaf and sells them ground, including the leaf, and mixed with salt.
The Age
08-07-2025
- Business
- The Age
Why don't we pay as much attention to the quality of pepper as salt and oil?
The country's best known pepper-growing region is seven hours away from Memot, in Kampo, 'which grows what a lot of people call the champagne of pepper', says Gardiner, who adds that Memot holds its own. 'The soil there is this rich red volcanic stuff, the weather's hot and humid all year. It's perfect for growing punchy, aromatic peppercorns.' Pep's pepper is complex, gloriously aromatic and earthy. It has also caught the attention of some restaurants: Melbourne's Embla, Hope St Radio and Residence at the Potter Museum, and Continental Deli Bar Bistro in Sydney. Chefs Danielle Alvarez, Rosheen Kaul, Raph Rashid, Mitch Orr and Analiese Gregory are also fans. Pep, which is sold from a number of Aussie specialty grocer s around the country, comes in a grinder and refill packs. Pep also just launched a fragrance called Pepfume, made with black pepper oil. What does it smell like? It's got hints of pepper, of course. Some other interesting peppers to buy Global pepper Aussie spice pioneer Herbie's Spices sells a number of peppers, including two centre-long pepper spikes from Indonesia, super grade white peppercorns harvested in India and, for the connoisseur, the impressive Pepperer's Guild Spice Kit, featuring 12 varieties, for $125. Australian-grown pepper Donna Campagnolo is behind L & L Pepperfarms. Based in Silkwood, in tropical North Queensland, she hand-tends, harvests and sun-dries her robust pepper. Aussie Pepper sells Campagnolo's pepper, too. Wild native mountain pepper The sweet profile of Tasmanian mountain pepper is an alternative to black pepper. It's also much punchier and presents a herbal profile. Tasmanian Pepper Co has 3500 native trees. It sells peppercorns and leaf and sells them ground, including the leaf, and mixed with salt.
The Age
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Three Michelin stars, 14 courses and the once-in-a-lifetime chance for a front-row seat
'Alongside the food, there's a renewed focus on delivering a fully immersive and elevated experience, from custom-designed tableware and bespoke art installations to rare and exclusive wine pairings,' Rogan says. The attention-to-detail is ambitious: 25 varieties of vegetables and herbs, including mystique mustard, have been grown-to-order by Dylan Abdoo and his team at Newcastle Greens; Blue Mountains brewery Mountain Culture has custom-brewed a tropical Balmoral Pale Ale with Australian-grown hops and passionfruit; 100 almost-2kg placements have been forced from steel by Matt Mewburn at Eveleigh Works; and Newcastle blacksmith Joey Davey, of Adamas Forge, has crafted knives using native gidgee wood for the duck course. Guests to the Good Food event will receive an additional take-home gift: a biscuit scone with a special to-be-determined preserve and custom Teacraft tea blend of Black assam tea, lemon myrtle, licorice root and orange oil, for a memorable morning-after. Almost 4000 seats have already been snapped up for the six-week residency, commencing July 16, and only 200 lunch spots remain.
Sydney Morning Herald
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Three Michelin stars, 14 courses and the once-in-a-lifetime chance for a front-row seat
'Alongside the food, there's a renewed focus on delivering a fully immersive and elevated experience, from custom-designed tableware and bespoke art installations to rare and exclusive wine pairings,' Rogan says. The attention-to-detail is ambitious: 25 varieties of vegetables and herbs, including mystique mustard, have been grown-to-order by Dylan Abdoo and his team at Newcastle Greens; Blue Mountains brewery Mountain Culture has custom-brewed a tropical Balmoral Pale Ale with Australian-grown hops and passionfruit; 100 almost-2kg placements have been forced from steel by Matt Mewburn at Eveleigh Works; and Newcastle blacksmith Joey Davey, of Adamas Forge, has crafted knives using native gidgee wood for the duck course. Guests to the Good Food event will receive an additional take-home gift: a biscuit scone with a special to-be-determined preserve and custom Teacraft tea blend of Black assam tea, lemon myrtle, licorice root and orange oil, for a memorable morning-after. Almost 4000 seats have already been snapped up for the six-week residency, commencing July 16, and only 200 lunch spots remain.
