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Saturday 20 April 2024

Honey & VMS

Blis upgrades revenue, earnings guidance
15 Apr 2024   /

Blis upgrades revenue, earnings guidance

The timing of several major customer orders, increased B2B sales and some R&D underspend will provide a boost to Blis Technologies’ annual results for the year to 31 March 2024.


New ANZ boss for Blackmores
15 Apr 2024   /

New ANZ boss for Blackmores

Health and wellness brand Blackmores has appointed Supriya Singh as the managing director of its Australia and New Zealand business.


NZ’s Calocurb shortlisted in NutraIngredients Awards 
11 Apr 2024   /

NZ’s Calocurb shortlisted in NutraIngredients Awards 

New Zealand’s naturally derived appetite-suppression supplement, Calocurb, has been shortlisted in 2024 NutraIngredients Awards


Me Today completes oversubscribed rights issue
28 Mar 2024   /

Me Today completes oversubscribed rights issue

Me Today has raised $3.1m from a rights issue, which closed last Friday 22 March.


Fresh Cuts: What’s new for the week to 22 March?
22 Mar 2024   /

Fresh Cuts: What’s new for the week to 22 March?

Egmont Honey adds elixirs to its health and wellness range, Asahi has a new RTD Cruiser, and Mondelēz’s Cadbury brand helps Easter hunting.


King Honey owner Me Today opens $2.78m rights issue
13 Mar 2024   /

King Honey owner Me Today opens $2.78m rights issue

Honey and VMS company Me Today has opened its $2.78m right issue which is intended to raise capital for brand investment and expansion into international markets.


Me Today shareholders approve capital raise, debt restructuring
8 Mar 2024   /

Me Today shareholders approve capital raise, debt restructuring

Me Today shareholders are meeting in Auckland today to vote on resolutions related to restructuring the company’s funding facilities and a capital raise plan.


Me Today replaces CEO, plans to jettison King Honey
28 Feb 2024   /

Me Today replaces CEO, plans to jettison King Honey

The company bought the mānuka honey exporter less than three years ago for $36m but it has failed to meet expectations.


Comvita deep in due diligence as takeover talks start
23 Feb 2024   /

Comvita deep in due diligence as takeover talks start

Comvita calls in a team of advisers after an unnamed overseas party made a non-binding takeover offer at a “significant premium” to the firm’s current share price.


Me Today tables recapitalisation plan
23 Feb 2024  

Me Today tables recapitalisation plan

Endebted honey and VMS specialist Me Today is seeking shareholder support for a company recapitalisation that will unlock a debt restructuring with its lenders.


Blis heading back to FY profitability
23 Feb 2024   /

Blis heading back to FY profitability

A strong third quarter has prompted Blis Technology to flag a forecasted return to full-year profitability.


Comvita tries to look past punishing H1…
21 Feb 2024   /

Comvita tries to look past punishing H1…

CEO David Banfield says the latest results are disappointing but reflect trading conditions.


…as honey industry aims for $1bn exports by 2030
21 Feb 2024   /

…as honey industry aims for $1bn exports by 2030

Key to the strategy are a new export levy, industry body and export standards, as well as the protection of bee health and support for beekeepers.


Perspectives: Most start-ups fail, so why start? Zestt Wellness’ Anna Campbell
13 Feb 2024   /

Perspectives: Most start-ups fail, so why start? Zestt Wellness’ Anna Campbell

The bioactive company’s co-founder shares her key learnings three years into her startup journey.


Lasers stationed at hives to zap varroa
13 Feb 2024   /

Lasers stationed at hives to zap varroa

Tiny lasers stationed at honey bees’ hives will disable and kill varroa mites in experiments aimed at defeating the parasitic pest ravaging bee colonies around the world.


…not so on mānuka honey protection
7 Feb 2024   /

…not so on mānuka honey protection

The failure to secure protection of ‘mānuka honey’ as distinct to New Zealand is a “significant loss,” according to the exiting chair of Ngāi Tahu Holdings, Mike Pohio.


Comvita share price falls to 12-year low
2 Feb 2024  

Comvita share price falls to 12-year low

New Zealand Stock Exchange-listed mānuka honey company, Comvita, saw its shares fall to a 12-year low yesterday.


Comvita heading for interim loss, plans $8m opex cut
1 Feb 2024  

Comvita heading for interim loss, plans $8m opex cut

A slowdown of US and China sales for the mānuka honey company is set to crystallise into a half year loss, forcing it to slash its full-year guidance.


Mānuka distinct to NZ – study
26 Jan 2024   /

Mānuka distinct to NZ – study

The findings of a new study into mānuka have significant cultural and commercial implications, especially for products derived from the plant, including honey, according to Plant & Food Research


Wet weather “killed” 2023 honey production – Apiculture NZ
15 Dec 2023   /

Wet weather “killed” 2023 honey production – Apiculture NZ

The dire impact of wet and wild weather last summer on the 2023 honey production season was confirmed today with the publication of the annual MPI Apiculture Monitoring Data.


F&B winners in Deloitte Top 200
7 Dec 2023   /

F&B winners in Deloitte Top 200

Comvita and Silver Fern Farms took home gongs from this year’s Deloitte Top 200 Awards.


Former Go Healthy boss to lead Blis
29 Nov 2023   /

Former Go Healthy boss to lead Blis

The ex-CEO of The Better Health Company Group, Scott Johnson, will take the reins at the probiotics firm.


Comvita share price hit after profit warning
28 Nov 2023  

Comvita share price hit after profit warning

Mānuka honey specialist Comvita saw its share price dive more than 13% following an earnings downgrade.


Comvita performance falling short on China, US slowdown
27 Nov 2023  

Comvita performance falling short on China, US slowdown

The mānuka honey specialist says it will struggle to deliver its promised double-digit earnings growth in its 2024 financial year as demand in its core China and US markets softens.


Repeal of Therapeutic Products Act welcomed
27 Nov 2023   /

Repeal of Therapeutic Products Act welcomed

The Natural Health Alliance welcomes the coalition government’s plan to repeal the Therapeutic Products Act 2023, which bundled food product compliance in with medicines and pharmaceuticals.


…as iwi’s seafood business offsets bad buzz from honey in FY23 results
7 Nov 2023   /

…as iwi’s seafood business offsets bad buzz from honey in FY23 results

Ngāi Tahu’s seafood business delivered an improved FY23 result despite the turbulent economic backdrop which contributed in-part to the poor year at its shrinking honey operations.


F&B up for Deloitte Top 200 Awards
2 Nov 2023   /

F&B up for Deloitte Top 200 Awards

Westland Dairy, Comvita and Scales are among the food firms shortlisted for the Deloitte Top 200 Awards, with a number of individuals also making the cut.


Me Today in talks with lenders after sales slump
24 Oct 2023   /

Me Today in talks with lenders after sales slump

The honey and VMS company is in talks with its lenders after warning that it is likely to undershoot its sales forecasts – with a capital raise and asset sales still on the table.


Ngāi Tahu slims down Oha Honey, looks to Perry Group platform
5 Oct 2023   /

Ngāi Tahu slims down Oha Honey, looks to Perry Group platform

The iwi is shutting down its honey operations in the North Island and will tap into The Mānuka Collective to support its South Island business.


Me Today preps final 2023 NPD with Super Honey 
29 Sep 2023   /

Me Today preps final 2023 NPD with Super Honey 

Me Today is rounding out its 2023 new product development programme with the planned release of a Me Today brand Super Honey.


Apiculture expands at NMIT Te Pūkenga
20 Sep 2023   /

Apiculture expands at NMIT Te Pūkenga

A new Level 2 New Zealand Certificate in Primary Industry Skills – Apiculture programme has been added at NMIT Te Pūkenga.


Bee Aware month 2023 takes flight
31 Aug 2023  

Bee Aware month 2023 takes flight

Associate Agriculture Minister Jo Luxton has officially launched Bee Aware Month 2023, an annual nationwide celebration of bees and their importance to the ecosystem, food chain, and economy.


More write-downs at Me Today, capital raise options on the table
30 Aug 2023  

More write-downs at Me Today, capital raise options on the table

The embattled honey and VMS company is looking at the sale of assets or raising new capital after another punishing year keeps its balance sheet under pressure.


Comvita backs honey research event
30 Aug 2023   /

Comvita backs honey research event

Comvita has co-sponsored the first Honey Research symposium at Queenstown Research Week.


Ebos bosses FY23 with profit jump
23 Aug 2023  

Ebos bosses FY23 with profit jump

Healthcare and pet products company Ebos added 23% to its underlying net profit after tax to deliver a record result of $281.8m.


Comvita reports record revenue of $234m
22 Aug 2023   /

Comvita reports record revenue of $234m

The honey company says all of its market segments have reported double-digit revenue growth, with Greater China breaking the $100m mark for the first time.


Comvita becomes a B Corp
18 Aug 2023   /

Comvita becomes a B Corp

Comvita has received B Corp Certification.


Staffing issues mean ‘disappointing’ H1 for PharmaZen
16 Aug 2023  

Staffing issues mean ‘disappointing’ H1 for PharmaZen

Christchurch biotechnology company PharmaZen reported a disappointing result for the six months to 30 June 2023, following significant staffing issues in the first quarter.


The True Honey Co topples own potency record
25 Jul 2023   /

The True Honey Co topples own potency record

The luxury mānuka honey company’s latest offering has a $2,500 price tag for a 230g jar.


Oceania Natural execs hit with $2m-plus penalties
24 Jul 2023   /

Oceania Natural execs hit with $2m-plus penalties

The former chief executive of failed honey export company Oceania Natural has been hit with the highest possible court penalties for market manipulation.


Blis Q1 revenue up 18%
21 Jul 2023  

Blis Q1 revenue up 18%

Blis Technologies delivered revenue growth of 18% and a break-even EBITDA result for the first quarter ending 30 June 2023.


More hives to go at Me Today
12 Jul 2023   /

More hives to go at Me Today

The honey and VMS company is slashing hive numbers to below 2,000 in a further scaling back of the 18,000 hives it acquired with King Honey.


Who are NZ’s best honey producers 2023?
6 Jul 2023   /

Who are NZ’s best honey producers 2023?

Timaru-based Jarved Allan from The Mānuka Collective achieves a supreme hat-trick at the annual Apiculture NZ National Honey Competition.


Comvita in $10m Singapore M&A
4 Jul 2023   /

Comvita in $10m Singapore M&A

Comvita makes good on its pledge to consolidate ownership of the mānuka honey sector, buying Singapore’s HoneyWorld.


Comvita inks supermarket Olé MOU in China
3 Jul 2023   /

Comvita inks supermarket Olé MOU in China

Comvita has signed what the company described as “a significant long term partnership” with Olé supermarkets in China.


Record 618 festival sales – Comvita
28 Jun 2023   /

Record 618 festival sales – Comvita

Mānuka honey specialist Comvita reported record sales in the recent 618 shopping festival in China, up 12% compared with last year’s event.


Aus mānuka honey industry calls for collaboration
23 Jun 2023   /

Aus mānuka honey industry calls for collaboration

Australian mānuka honey producers have followed New Zealand’s industry by confirming it will not appeal the recent Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand decision.


No appeal of IPONZ mānuka decision – MHPS
21 Jun 2023   /

No appeal of IPONZ mānuka decision – MHPS

The Mānuka Honey Appellation Society will not appeal the recent Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand decision.


PharmaZen overcomes staff shortages, secures China pet food licence
20 Jun 2023  

PharmaZen overcomes staff shortages, secures China pet food licence

Christchurch biotechnology company PharmaZen says it has successfully filled 15 vacancies this year, which will help it overcome a poor first half of FY23 due to labour shortages.


Sweet success for Haddrell’s honey
20 Jun 2023   /

Sweet success for Haddrell’s honey

Prolife Foods’ Haddrell’s honey business has bagged two gold medals at the 2023 London International Honey Awards for its Mānuka Honey UMF™ 22+ and Limited Edition Mānuka Honey UMF™ 25+.


Perspectives: How NZ’s own law helped Australia win the mānuka honey trademark war
6 Jun 2023   /

Perspectives: How NZ’s own law helped Australia win the mānuka honey trademark war

The recent mānuka honey trademark decision highlights how ill-equipped NZ’s laws are for protecting Māori taonga and mātauranga Māori.


No change to mānuka honey definition – NZFS
6 Jun 2023   /

No change to mānuka honey definition – NZFS

New Zealand’s regulatory definition of mānuka honey has been validated following a reassessment and will not be changed, says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.


International healthcare summit heading for Auckland
1 Jun 2023  

International healthcare summit heading for Auckland

An international healthcare summit to be hosted in New Zealand is set to bring together health, tech and food stakeholders as well as international health policy specialists and government representatives.


Blis Technologies hits FY guidance
25 May 2023  

Blis Technologies hits FY guidance

Probiotics manufacturer Blis Technologies has delivered revenue of $10.2m, 14% growth on the prior year, with an EBITDA loss of $0.6m and a net deficit of $1.4m.


Honey woes: Me Today mānuka write-down worsens, industry laments IPONZ ruling
23 May 2023   /

Honey woes: Me Today mānuka write-down worsens, industry laments IPONZ ruling

A poor mānuka honey harvest more than doubles Me Today’s expected write-down.


NZ ‘Mānuka Honey’ trademark bid turned down
22 May 2023   /

NZ ‘Mānuka Honey’ trademark bid turned down

IPONZ calls the case a “trans-Tasman tussle of extraordinary proportions over trade mark rights for mānuka honey”.


Pollinator-friendly practices in NZ for World Bee Day 
22 May 2023   /

Pollinator-friendly practices in NZ for World Bee Day 

Planting a range of bee-friendly plants and protecting pollinators was the focus of this year’s World Bee Day on Saturday 20 May.


Nutritional ingredient maker PharmaZen bounces back into black despite challenges
16 May 2023  

Nutritional ingredient maker PharmaZen bounces back into black despite challenges

The Christchurch biotechnology company delivers a strong post-Covid turnaround in 2022 despite battling supply chain snarl-ups and labour shortages.


NZ exporters welcome imminent start of UK FTA
5 May 2023   /

NZ exporters welcome imminent start of UK FTA

From 31 May, tariffs on more than 97% of exports to the United Kingdom, including wine, honey, and onions, will be eliminated.


Comvita maintains double-digit growth guidance despite reduced harvest, extreme weather
2 May 2023  

Comvita maintains double-digit growth guidance despite reduced harvest, extreme weather

The mānuka honey exporter credits its break-even harvest model for seeing it through the challenging season, which has seen volumes fall sharply.


“We’re drinking from the fire hose of opportunity” – Egmont’s James Annabell on Nestlé
13 Apr 2023   /

“We’re drinking from the fire hose of opportunity” – Egmont’s James Annabell on Nestlé

With the heft of Nestlé now behind it, South Taranaki’s Egmont Honey is jumping into new export markets, adding retailers and working up NPD opportunities.


Buzzstop launches sustainable mānuka honey campaign
12 Apr 2023   /

Buzzstop launches sustainable mānuka honey campaign

Buzzstop Bee & Honey Centre has launched a campaign to promote sustainable practices in mānuka honey production.


Blis upgrades earnings guidance on growing sales, falling costs
4 Apr 2023   /

Blis upgrades earnings guidance on growing sales, falling costs

Dunedin probiotics company Blis Technologies has upgraded its revenue and earnings guidance for the financial year ended 31 March 2023.


Comvita jv secures funds from collapsed bank
15 Mar 2023  

Comvita jv secures funds from collapsed bank

Mānuka honey company Comvita says its skincare joint venture in the US, Caravan Honey, has managed to secure its funds from Silicon Valley Bank.


Comvita jv exposed to US bank collapse
13 Mar 2023   /

Comvita jv exposed to US bank collapse

The mānuka honey company’s Caravan Honey venture has US$2.5m with the failed Silicon Valley Bank, which it cannot access.


SeaDragon delists from USX
9 Mar 2023  

SeaDragon delists from USX

Ingredient manufacturer SeaDragon has delisted from the USX.


Me Today honey loss deepens
1 Mar 2023  

Me Today honey loss deepens

The honey and VMS company’s H1 results attracted more red ink as it worked through the restructure of its honey operation and continued investing to build its sales pipeline.


Comvita in sweet H1 results
23 Feb 2023  

Comvita in sweet H1 results

Mānuka honey company Comvita has delivered a barnstorming set of interims results setting records for a 61% increase in operating profit to $11.6m in the six months to 31 December.


Interims: Pet food drives Ebos to record profit, Just Life earnings squeezed
22 Feb 2023   /

Interims: Pet food drives Ebos to record profit, Just Life earnings squeezed

Australasia’s Ebos benefits from a strong pet food market, while Just Life grapples with wage, cost and interest inflation.


Comvita, Delegat, Terra Vitae assess Cyclone Gabrielle impacts
21 Feb 2023   /

Comvita, Delegat, Terra Vitae assess Cyclone Gabrielle impacts

Comvita will likely write off its Hawke’s Bay honey facility, while Delegat and Terra Vitae gain access to their sites.


Blis turns in solid Q3 with revenue up 24%
17 Feb 2023  

Blis turns in solid Q3 with revenue up 24%

Dunedin probiotics company Blis Technologies delivered revenue growth of 24% and a positive EBITDA result for the third quarter ending 31 Dec 2022.


“We are committed to continuing the fight to protect our mānuka” – MCT
26 Jan 2023   /

“We are committed to continuing the fight to protect our mānuka” – MCT

The Mānuka Charitable Trust is continuing its fight to protect the term mānuka, after withdrawing a recent UK challenge for what it described as “technical reasons”.


Me Today warns of losses to come due to honey
8 Dec 2022  

Me Today warns of losses to come due to honey

Subscribe now to enjoy unlimited access to Food Ticker, New Zealand’s new food and beverage industry trade daily. Thank you for visiting Food Ticker. Click here for our subscription packages. We MORE »


Therapeutic Products Bill introduced
2 Dec 2022   /

Therapeutic Products Bill introduced

Legislation to modernise the way medicines, medical devices and natural health products are regulated has been introduced in Parliament.


Airborne’s new CEO aims to reinvigorate ‘flatlining’ honey sector
28 Nov 2022  

Airborne’s new CEO aims to reinvigorate ‘flatlining’ honey sector

John Parker says fresh opportunities and products from the company will help bring people back to honey again.


Low VMS stock squeezes Just Life profit
21 Nov 2022  

Low VMS stock squeezes Just Life profit

Just Life Group has downgraded its first half net profit forecast due to stock outs in the supply of health supplements, as well as a slowdown in new build homes hitting its healthy homes division.


NZCS signs MOU to broaden product suite
7 Nov 2022  

NZCS signs MOU to broaden product suite

Subscribe now to enjoy unlimited access to Food Ticker, New Zealand’s new food and beverage industry trade daily. Thank you for visiting Food Ticker. Click here for our subscription packages. We MORE »


Challenging year for Ngāi Tahu’s food businesses with honey loss widening
4 Nov 2022   /

Challenging year for Ngāi Tahu’s food businesses with honey loss widening

Its struggling honey firm Oha books $22m in write downs and impairments after a tough year.


NZ Coastal Seafoods Q3 revenue up
3 Nov 2022  

NZ Coastal Seafoods Q3 revenue up

New Zealand Coastal Seafoods generated cash receipts of just over $1m during the third quarter to the end of September 2022, up from around $240,000 in the June 2022 period, and an increase of 7.6% on the previous corresponding period.


NZ Coastal Seafoods in collagen tie-up
20 Oct 2022  

NZ Coastal Seafoods in collagen tie-up

New Zealand Coastal Seafoods has signed a memorandum of understanding with an Asia Pacific healthcare product distributor, Ingredients Plus.


Seaweed sector framework released, MOU signed
11 Oct 2022   /

Seaweed sector framework released, MOU signed

The newly formed Aotearoa New Zealand Seaweed Association and the Australian Seaweed Institute have signed a memorandum of understanding to unlock more collaboration between the organisations.


“We had to keep funding the losses until we got out the other side” – SeaDragon’s Bryan Mogridge
4 Oct 2022  

“We had to keep funding the losses until we got out the other side” – SeaDragon’s Bryan Mogridge

After raising and borrowing more than $7m over the past two years, SeaDragon says it is seeing signs of promise in its value-add plan.


Honey money: Comvita bullish, while bruised Me Today pursues revenue growth over profit
30 Sep 2022   /

Honey money: Comvita bullish, while bruised Me Today pursues revenue growth over profit

Manuka honey specialist Comvita has laid out a bullish forecast at its annual shareholder meeting, in contrast with Me Today, whose troubled acquisition of King Honey continues to drag the business.


Nestlé pays hundreds of millions for owner of Egmont Honey, GO Healthy brands
29 Sep 2022   /

Nestlé pays hundreds of millions for owner of Egmont Honey, GO Healthy brands

Multinational giant Nestlé pays hundreds of millions to acquire the owner of the Egmont Honey and GO Healthy brands.


SeaDragon in $5.25m debt for equity swap with Pescado
23 Sep 2022   /

SeaDragon in $5.25m debt for equity swap with Pescado

SeaDragon and its major shareholder Pescado Holdings have agreed a debt for equity swap.


What’s next for Prolife Foods following its multi-million dollar Finasucre deal?
6 Sep 2022   /

What’s next for Prolife Foods following its multi-million dollar Finasucre deal?

Among the big opportunities from the new partnership could be a push in Europe for the Waikato company’s mānuka honey brand Haddrell’s.


SeaDragon gets another $1m from Pescado
6 Sep 2022   /

SeaDragon gets another $1m from Pescado

SeaDragon has signed a new secured loan agreement of $1m with its majority shareholder, Pescado Holdings.


Me Today to launch new mānuka honey products
29 Aug 2022   /

Me Today to launch new mānuka honey products

The King Honey owner says the new products will be out next month, and it also reveals how much revenue its acquired honey business has generated.


Comvita progressing milestones in strong results
25 Aug 2022   /

Comvita progressing milestones in strong results

“The result shared today gives more evidence we can deliver revenue, margin and earnings growth while investing in long term brand and business building activity,” says chair Brett Hewlett.


Me Today, Blis take home health awards
23 Aug 2022   /

Me Today, Blis take home health awards

Natural Health Products NZ has announced the winners of its annual industry awards, including the Supreme Award for the best overall entry, which went to Keraplast Manufacturing.


PharmaZen recovery builds
18 Aug 2022   /

PharmaZen recovery builds

Christchurch biotechnology company PharmaZen, which trades as Waitaki Biosciences, saw revenue jump 36% to $12.8m in the first half to 30 June 2022.


Govt backs $1.5m AgriSea expansion
17 Aug 2022   /

Govt backs $1.5m AgriSea expansion

The seaweed company secures backing from the government’s Regional Strategic Partnership Fund for a $1.5m expansion of its Waikato plant.


Just Life adds Natural Solutions to portfolio
16 Aug 2022   /

Just Life adds Natural Solutions to portfolio

Tony Falkenstein’s Just Life Group is adding Natural Solutions NZ to its ‘Healthy Living’ division, following its purchase of About Health and Intenza New Zealand.


Red flag in SeaDragon’s full year financials
20 Jul 2022   /

Red flag in SeaDragon’s full year financials

The Omega fish oils refiner’s record of red ink prompts a warning from its auditor, while management hopes future sales, margins and prices will see it through.


Kiwi companies make the cut at NutraIngredients Asia
20 Jul 2022   /

Kiwi companies make the cut at NutraIngredients Asia

Ārepa, Zestt and Anagenix are among the homegrown ventures on the shortlist for the functional food, dietary supplement, and nutrition awards.


Blis ditches D2C for focus on business customers
14 Jul 2022  

Blis ditches D2C for focus on business customers

A 2021 tie-up with Probi provides a blueprint for the Dunedin probiotics company, prompting it to move away from direct-to-consumer sales.


Banfield positions Comvita for EU opportunity in new trade deal
12 Jul 2022   /

Banfield positions Comvita for EU opportunity in new trade deal

Sales to the US$1.4bn market currently only comprise 3% of Comvita’s $192m revenue, but that is set to change following EU FTA.


NZ Coastal Seafoods hails collagen milestone
8 Jul 2022   /

NZ Coastal Seafoods hails collagen milestone

The Christchurch company says it has successfully commercialised a new collagen powder in a potential game-changing achievement for the business.


Hunt & Gather on consumer behaviour: What are they seeing and why?

Hunt & Gather on consumer behaviour: What are they seeing and why?

The independent honey company’s Hannah O’Brien tells the NZIFST conference what is driving her customers’ behaviour.


The Mānuka Collective reigns again at Apiculture NZ awards
5 Jul 2022   /

The Mānuka Collective reigns again at Apiculture NZ awards

Timaru-based The Mānuka Collective has taken home the Supreme award at the annual Apiculture New Zealand National Honey Competition for the second year in a row.


King Honey owner raises more money
4 Jul 2022   /

King Honey owner raises more money

King Honey owner Me Today says it has placed $750,000 of the shortfall arising from its rights issue, bringing the total capital raised to approximately $7.5m.


Nestlé acquires Egmont Honey, Go Healthy brands
29 Jun 2022   /

Nestlé acquires Egmont Honey, Go Healthy brands

The deal builds the food giant’s footprint in the regional honey and VMS market, and unlocks growth with the addition of an Auckland factory.


Me Today raises $6.74m from rights issue
28 Jun 2022  

Me Today raises $6.74m from rights issue

Health, wellness and honey company Me Today has raised approximately $6.74m from a rights issue which closed on Thursday 23 June – enough to cover cashflow but short of the $10m target.


King Honey owner opens $10m rights issue
14 Jun 2022   /

King Honey owner opens $10m rights issue

King Honey owner Me Today has opened its $10m rights issue offering eligible shareholders the opportunity to participate at $0.01 per share.


Comvita upgrades earnings guidance
13 Jun 2022   /

Comvita upgrades earnings guidance

Comvita is forecasting that its full-year reported EBITDA is expected to be in a range of $28.5m – $30m, for the year ending June 2022.


Comvita denies involvement in takeover talks
31 May 2022   /

Comvita denies involvement in takeover talks

Comvita has scotched reports that it is in talks over a proposed take-private by shareholder CR Capital Management, the investment arm of Chine Resources Holdings Co.


Me Today in fresh $10m cap raise after loss widens
30 May 2022   /

Me Today in fresh $10m cap raise after loss widens

The healthcare and wellness group is downsizing its honey operations and raising cash to invest in its brands and international distribution.


Apiculture NZ flags World Bee Day
19 May 2022   /

Apiculture NZ flags World Bee Day

Building a better future for bees is the focus of this year’s World Bee Day on Friday 20 May, says Apiculture New Zealand.


Comvita holds FY earnings guidance at $27m-$30m
12 May 2022   /

Comvita holds FY earnings guidance at $27m-$30m

Comvita has reported an unaudited EBITDA of $23.9m – around 93% of FY21 full year actuals – in a market update on its performance for the 10 months to the end of April.


Employment Court finds Gloriavale leavers employees
11 May 2022   /

Employment Court finds Gloriavale leavers employees

The Employment Court has found three former Gloriavale commune members on the West Coast were employees not volunteers at the registered charity which has F&B ventures.


Food Moves: Seeka CFO, Comvita CTO, account managers at PepsiCo, Dairyworks, FrucorSuntory and more…
6 May 2022   /

Food Moves: Seeka CFO, Comvita CTO, account managers at PepsiCo, Dairyworks, FrucorSuntory and more…

Food and beverage sector appointments and people moves for the week to 6 May 2022.


Food Moves: Comvita, Zespri and Woolworths NZ’s senior marketing movers and more…
29 Apr 2022  

Food Moves: Comvita, Zespri and Woolworths NZ’s senior marketing movers and more…

Food and beverage sector appointments and people moves to the week of 29 April.


Holy Cow choc coated honeycomb recall
26 Apr 2022  

Holy Cow choc coated honeycomb recall

The Cruelty Free Shop is recalling a batch of Holy Cow brand Golden Crunch vegan honeycomb coated in dark chocolate due to incorrect labelling about the presence of an allergen, namely milk.


Apiculture NZ secures funding for honey sector strategy
22 Apr 2022   /

Apiculture NZ secures funding for honey sector strategy

Apiculture New Zealand has successfully secured funding from the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund, for a two-year project that will help identify how sector can achieve sustainable growth.


Comvita x Microsoft mixed reality goes to Asia
19 Apr 2022   /

Comvita x Microsoft mixed reality goes to Asia

Comvita’s mixed reality Mānuka honey tasting experience, developed in partnership with Microsoft, is set to become part of everyday trading at some Asia stores, following a showcase of the retail technology at New Zealand Expo in Dubai.


Business awards gongs for Auckland F&B
4 Apr 2022   /

Business awards gongs for Auckland F&B

Manuka honey manufacturer Wilderness Valley was the People’s Choice winner at the Westpac Auckland Business Awards 2021 south and east region.


HVN pledges $980k for new honey research
1 Apr 2022   /

HVN pledges $980k for new honey research

The High-Value Nutrition National Science Challenge is contributing $980,000 into a Plant & Food Research led programme looking at native honey and what appeals to consumers.


Comvita steps up to Save the Kiwi
29 Mar 2022   /

Comvita steps up to Save the Kiwi

Comvita has teamed up with Save the Kiwi in what it describes as a “significant sponsorship agreement” that will ultimately provide safe habitat for the iconic birds across the North Island.


Oceania Natural shareholders fined for market manipulation
25 Mar 2022   /

Oceania Natural shareholders fined for market manipulation

Two shareholders in Oceania Natural have been fined a combined $310,000 after they admitted to charges of market manipulation and disclosure breaches..


CGF, Me Today issues new shares in capital raises
23 Mar 2022   /

CGF, Me Today issues new shares in capital raises

Auckland-headquartered international coffee chain Cooks Global Foods has issued 80,989,340 new shares at 3 cents each totalling $2.43m following a shortfall from its rights issue last year.


Shareholder questions “serious errors” in Me Today’s $36m King Honey deal
18 Mar 2022   /

Shareholder questions “serious errors” in Me Today’s $36m King Honey deal

The healthcare and wellness company has had to turn to its investors for cash after being surprised by inventory levels after its acquisition of King Honey.


More than 100k hives lost in winter 2021 – Biosecurity NZ
17 Mar 2022   /

More than 100k hives lost in winter 2021 – Biosecurity NZ

Biosecurity New Zealand’s annual Winter Colony Loss survey shows 13.6% of hives were lost in 2021, up 2.3% on the previous year because of growth in varroa mite and related complications.


SeaDragon secures new $500k loan agreement
7 Mar 2022   /

SeaDragon secures new $500k loan agreement

SeaDragon has secured a new loan agreement of $500,000 from majority shareholder Pescado Holdings, as well as pushing out the repayment date of an existing loan facility.


Me Today seeks $6m raise approval after “disappointing” King Honey projections
2 Mar 2022   /

Me Today seeks $6m raise approval after “disappointing” King Honey projections

Me Today Group has called a special meeting for Friday 18 March to seek approval from shareholders for a $6m placement of additional share capital.


Falkenstein’s Just Life feels Auckland pinch
25 Feb 2022  

Falkenstein’s Just Life feels Auckland pinch

Tony Falkenstein’s Just Life Group has reported a lower net profit of $1.57m in the six months ended December because of Auckland’s extended lockdown.


Dietary supplement regulatory reform needed – NZHP
25 Feb 2022   /

Dietary supplement regulatory reform needed – NZHP

New Zealand Health Products says regulatory reform is needed to fix “badly broken dietary supplement rules.”


Comvita hits acquisition trail, no dice on first target
24 Feb 2022   /

Comvita hits acquisition trail, no dice on first target

The company says it wants to consolidate ownership of the mānuka honey sector to generate operating leverage and drive “higher category standards”.


The Perry Group seeks scale with mānuka honey acquisition
16 Feb 2022   /

The Perry Group seeks scale with mānuka honey acquisition

The investor expands its new mānuka honey platform with the addition of a second business.


Egmont Honey targets US for new retail sweet spot
14 Feb 2022  

Egmont Honey targets US for new retail sweet spot

The Taranaki company is “making good headway” with its plan to meet a growing appetite for mānuka honey in the US, says CEO James Annabell.


Latest listed: T&G guidance jumps on $80m sale, Blis books Q3 loss
11 Feb 2022   /

Latest listed: T&G guidance jumps on $80m sale, Blis books Q3 loss

T&G Global says its group profit for the 2021 financial year is now forecast to be between $12.5m – $14.5m, up from its October guidance of $4m – $10m.


Food recalls after salmonella threat
10 Feb 2022   /

Food recalls after salmonella threat

There are two recalls because of the threat of salmonella.


Young Kiwis shine in food and beverage
8 Feb 2022  

Young Kiwis shine in food and beverage

Canterbury-based Alyssa Wilson has scooped the Apiculture New Zealand Ron Mossop Youth Scholarship in beekeeping.


NZ honey sector to appeal manuka honey ruling
4 Feb 2022  

NZ honey sector to appeal manuka honey ruling

New Zealand’s honey sector is appealing a UK Intellectual Property Office decision that declined a manuka honey trademark application.


Honey production down, exports up
3 Dec 2021   /

Honey production down, exports up

New Zealand’s national honey production in the 2020-21 season was down 24% on the previous season to 20,500 tonnes, according to the Ministry for Primary Industries.


Just Life hires former DB marketing manager
2 Dec 2021   /

Just Life hires former DB marketing manager

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Me Today forced to raise $6m after King Honey inventory surprise
29 Nov 2021   /

Me Today forced to raise $6m after King Honey inventory surprise

The healthcare and wellness company turns to shareholders to stump up funds because of “cashflow pressure” following its King Honey acquisition.


Jeuneora hits $3.5m cap raise target
26 Nov 2021   /

Jeuneora hits $3.5m cap raise target

New Zealand beauty and supplement company Jeuneora has closed its capital raise after hitting its maximum target of $3.5m.


Pāmu products to launch in Vietnam
26 Nov 2021   /

Pāmu products to launch in Vietnam

Pāmu Farms has signed a deal with distributor Ciels that will see a range of premium nutritional supplements sold in Vietnam in the new year.


Just Life, Synlait appointments
24 Nov 2021  

Just Life, Synlait appointments

Just Life Group has hired Graeme Read to be its chief financial officer.


New Zealand’s dulce de leche spreads wings
18 Nov 2021   /

New Zealand’s dulce de leche spreads wings

Milk and honey spread brand Onetai has landed in Asia and the Pacific but wants domestic sales to be the “foundation of the business”.


Blis suffers US sales hit in $1.8m interim loss
18 Nov 2021   /

Blis suffers US sales hit in $1.8m interim loss

Probiotics firm Blis Technologies has reported an interim loss of $1.80m for the six months to September 2021, down 268% on the $1.07m profit it made for the same period last year.


Record sales for Comvita on China’s Singles Day
17 Nov 2021   /

Record sales for Comvita on China’s Singles Day

Mānuka honey company Comvita said it recorded record sales in line with its forecasts for November’s Singles Day or 11:11 – the world’s biggest shopping event and key event in its focus growth market of China.


Just Life Group confirms final dividend
16 Nov 2021  

Just Life Group confirms final dividend

Tony Falkenstein’s Just Life Group will pay a final dividend of 1.4 centre a share for the year ended 30 June 2021.


Ngāi Tahu’s food numbers: Seafood strong, honey and beef improving
11 Nov 2021  

Ngāi Tahu’s food numbers: Seafood strong, honey and beef improving

The iwi’s seafood business sees operating profit leap 37%, offsetting a poor FY21 for honey and farming.


SeaDragon secures $1.5m facility from majority shareholder
2 Nov 2021   /

SeaDragon secures $1.5m facility from majority shareholder

Omega fish oils refiner SeaDragon says it has signed a new secured loan agreement of up to $1.5m with its majority shareholder, Pescado Holdings.


Covid health boom fuels Nuzest Life
19 Oct 2021   /

Covid health boom fuels Nuzest Life

The pandemic has delivered the supplement and health food firm new consumers who have pushed up global revenue by 50%.


Zealandia Honey’s $8,888 limited release
19 Oct 2021   /

Zealandia Honey’s $8,888 limited release

Is it food or is it art? Either way, a jar of Mars ZH21 could be yours for a cool $8,888.


Comvita signals ‘strong’ Q1 earnings
12 Oct 2021   /

Comvita signals ‘strong’ Q1 earnings

Comvita has reported its first quarter EBITDA improved by 10.6% compared with Q1 last year.


Just Life warns of lockdown impacts
11 Oct 2021   /

Just Life warns of lockdown impacts

Tony Falkenstein’s Just Life Group says Auckland’s ongoing lockdown will affect the company’s results.


Just Life expands supplements footprint
7 Oct 2021   /

Just Life expands supplements footprint

Tony Falkenstein’s Just Life Group has acquired supplements maker Intenza New Zealand. 


Comvita launches Expo 2020 experience
7 Oct 2021   /

Comvita launches Expo 2020 experience

Mānuka honey exporter Comvita has launched an immersive experience at Expo 2020 Dubai to bring bees, people and nature together.


Sweet success for researchers seeking cause of Unique Mānuka Factor
30 Sep 2021   /

Sweet success for researchers seeking cause of Unique Mānuka Factor

New research that has found how mānuka flowers create the Unique Mānuka Factor in honey could help New Zealand producers.


Me Today warns of lower King Honey sales after China inventory surprise
24 Sep 2021  

Me Today warns of lower King Honey sales after China inventory surprise

The healthcare and wellness company says sales of King Honey product will be “considerably less” than expected.


SeaDragon pivot drives push into ingredients, functional foods, packaging
20 Sep 2021   /

SeaDragon pivot drives push into ingredients, functional foods, packaging

The omega fish oils refiner says new food ingredients and white label products are about to launch following its pivot to higher value oil sales.


How Comvita’s ‘unique’ model helped drive its $19m turnaround
16 Sep 2021   /

How Comvita’s ‘unique’ model helped drive its $19m turnaround

Comvita has released its annual report and its full of insight about how the company sees its operations and markets, including an extensive Q&A with board chair Brett Hewlett and chief executive David Banfield.


Comvita, Scales make director changes
14 Sep 2021  

Comvita, Scales make director changes

Manuka honey exporter Comvita has appointed a trio of new board directors, namely Bridget Coates, Yawen Wu and chief executive David Banfield.


Plant & Food secures $20m from Endeavour Fund

Plant & Food secures $20m from Endeavour Fund

The cash included $14.5m for a new research programme to help develop New Zealand’s horticultural sector to prepare for climate change.


Comvita wants to win over US with celeb-backed brand
7 Sep 2021   /

Comvita wants to win over US with celeb-backed brand

Developing a skincare brand means the honey company can promote the benefits of both mānuka and propolis to raise awareness in the US.


Comvita launches share buy-back scheme
2 Sep 2021   /

Comvita launches share buy-back scheme

Manuka honey supplier Comvita says it will acquire up to 350,000 of its shares, which are currently trading at about $3.65.


Falkenstein’s JLG lifts profit 13%
31 Aug 2021   /

Falkenstein’s JLG lifts profit 13%

Tony Falkenstein’s Just Life Group has reported net profit of $3.3m for the year to June 2021, up 12.9% on the previous period.


Sportsfuel acquires Nothing Naughty
27 Aug 2021   /

Sportsfuel acquires Nothing Naughty

Sports nutrition retailer Sportsfuel has bought health food manufacturer Nothing Naughty.


Comvita posts $9.5m profit, resumes dividend
26 Aug 2021   /

Comvita posts $9.5m profit, resumes dividend

A turnaround is taking hold at the honey company, which is focussed on growth in the world’s two biggest honey markets, China and the US.


SeaDragon ditches CEO role, Nevin moves to COO
17 Aug 2021   /

SeaDragon ditches CEO role, Nevin moves to COO

The news follows Bryan Mogridge’s appointment as executive chair of the omega fish oils refiner.


Comvita’s Wellness Lab shortlisted for design gong
17 Aug 2021  

Comvita’s Wellness Lab shortlisted for design gong

Comvita’s Wellness Lab in Auckland has been shortlisted in the New Zealand Best Design Awards 2021.


Low hanging F&B opportunities in UAE – NZTE research
16 Aug 2021   /

Low hanging F&B opportunities in UAE – NZTE research

The United Arab Emirates presents a fertile market for New Zealand food and beverage exports particularly for fruit and honey products, according to new research from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.


PharmaZen profit tumbles
9 Aug 2021   /

PharmaZen profit tumbles

Operating costs skyrocketed at the nutritional ingredient manufacturer during the six months to June.


Health food firm hit with $377k fine
5 Aug 2021  

Health food firm hit with $377k fine

NZHFC made representations such as “100% New Zealand” knowing the royal jelly ingredient was from China, finds a court.


Happy Cow launches capital raise, Hunt and Gather secures funds
13 Jul 2021  

Happy Cow launches capital raise, Hunt and Gather secures funds

Described as a milk factory in a box, Happy Cow Milk Company, has today launched its second capital raise as it looks to scale-up its prototype into paddocks and retailers around the country.


SeaDragon hits rough water, plans to stay the course
5 Jul 2021  

SeaDragon hits rough water, plans to stay the course

SeaDragon bosses remain committed to a turnaround at the omega-3 oil producer despite “unsatisfactory” full year results.


Honey exports on track for 13% growth
5 Jul 2021  

Honey exports on track for 13% growth

Honey exports are on track to rise 13% to $480m in 2020-21 according to MPI’s latest Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries.


Bangers, burgers and bees – food industry winners take a bow
30 Jun 2021  

Bangers, burgers and bees – food industry winners take a bow

From established names like chocolatier Whittaker’s and honey specialist Comvita through to hemp meat trailblazer, Plan*t, NZ food producers have been recognised in a raft of awards this week – but not always for their food.


Apiculture NZ crowns national honey competition winners
29 Jun 2021   /

Apiculture NZ crowns national honey competition winners

Timaru-based Jarved Allan of 100% Pure New Zealand Honey took home the supreme award at Apiculture New Zealand’s National Honey Competition.


Me Today shareholders sign off $36m King Honey deal
28 Jun 2021   /

Me Today shareholders sign off $36m King Honey deal

Me Today shareholders have approved the $36m purchase of King Honey with an overwhelming 99.99% vote in favour.


NZ triumphs at Black Jar honey contest
14 Jun 2021  

NZ triumphs at Black Jar honey contest

New Zealand honey company Manawa Honey has won the grand prize at the 10th Black Jar Contest.


Egmont Honey launches health range into Coles
31 Mar 2021   /

Egmont Honey launches health range into Coles

Egmont Honey is launching its health supplements range, Egmont Health, into Australasian retailer Coles.