Food Ticker
The Business of Food
and Beverage
Food Ticker
The Business of Food and Beverage

Tourism Ticker

Tourism Ticker
  News   Covid-19   Opinion
Saturday 27 April 2024

Pet Food

Scales scope 3 emissions revealed
23 Apr 2024   /

Scales scope 3 emissions revealed

The group details its indirect emissions for the first time and circles 2025 for setting reduction targets.


Riverland Foods names first two international customers 
20 Mar 2024   /

Riverland Foods names first two international customers 

The newly opened $35m Christchurch pet food processing factory names its first two clients, landing contracts with Chinese and Australian companies.


Riverland Foods example of trade enabling prosperity – McClay
19 Mar 2024  

Riverland Foods example of trade enabling prosperity – McClay

Minister of Agriculture and Trade Todd McClay says Riverland Foods’ manufacturing plant in Christchurch is an example of how access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.


Peidi’s $60m King Country Pet Food factory opens
14 Mar 2024   /

Peidi’s $60m King Country Pet Food factory opens

Chinese premium pet food company Peidi has opened its $60m New Zealand factory, King Country Pet Food.


Pet food processor Fussy Dog in liquidation
27 Feb 2024   /

Pet food processor Fussy Dog in liquidation

The shareholders of Christchurch pet food processing business Fussy Dog have placed the company into liquidation.


Ebos pushes pet food NPD as animal division shows “strong resilience”
21 Feb 2024   /

Ebos pushes pet food NPD as animal division shows “strong resilience”

The company says its newly-acquired Wairarapa-based business, Superior Pet Food Company, saw growth in its dog roll and treats products.


Former Ziwi GMs launch new $33m venture for international clients
31 Jan 2024   /

Former Ziwi GMs launch new $33m venture for international clients

The ex-Ziwi bosses are back in the game, leading a new pet food business founded to break the log-jam global clients face accessing NZ-made product.


ACCC clears Woolworth’s $619m Petstock deal
15 Dec 2023   /

ACCC clears Woolworth’s $619m Petstock deal

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has confirmed it will not oppose Woolworths Group’s acquisition of a 55% stake in Petstock Group.


Food Moves: Fonterra MD appointed Natural Pet Food CEO, Fiordland Lobster boss to go, Animals Like Us expands… and more!
8 Dec 2023   /

Food Moves: Fonterra MD appointed Natural Pet Food CEO, Fiordland Lobster boss to go, Animals Like Us expands… and more!

Food and drink industry appointments and people moves for the week to 8 December.


Scales bullish on 2024, expects to double profit
8 Dec 2023  

Scales bullish on 2024, expects to double profit

The company is forecasting profit of up to $35m in 2024 – double that of this year’s guidance – as it leaves the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle behind and leverages the global pet food boom.


Ebos walks away from Greencross
22 Nov 2023   /

Ebos walks away from Greencross

Ebos Group is no longer in talks over a potential purchase of Australian vet and pet group Greencross.


Ebos extends trading halt
20 Nov 2023  

Ebos extends trading halt

Ebos has been granted a trading halt extension until market open on Tuesday, 21 November 2023.


Ebos trading halt after deal link to pet group Greencross
16 Nov 2023   /

Ebos trading halt after deal link to pet group Greencross

Dual-listed Ebos Group is in NZX and ASX trading halts following it being linked to the purchase of TPG Capital-backed pet and vet group Greencross.


Ebos beds in $84m acquisition of Superior Pet Food
24 Oct 2023  

Ebos beds in $84m acquisition of Superior Pet Food

Ebos is bedding in Superior Pet Food Company to its animal care portfolio after buying the Wairarapa business for $83.8m.


Te Puke pet food plant in $220k accident payout
28 Sep 2023   /

Te Puke pet food plant in $220k accident payout

Addiction Pet Foods’ New Zealand operation has been ordered to pay more than $220,000 following the amputation of an employee’s finger.


Mars moves on net zero roadmap
15 Sep 2023   /

Mars moves on net zero roadmap

Privately owned pet food and confectionery company Mars has issued a fresh set of net-zero pledges, including a new 2030 target.


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.


Scales establishes European pet food JV
10 Aug 2023  

Scales establishes European pet food JV

The agribusiness builds up its global proteins division by planting a flag in Europe with partner Esro.


NPD: An ice cream for both you and your pets
18 Jul 2023   /

NPD: An ice cream for both you and your pets

Pet supplement specialist Newflands looks to break into foodservice with a unique new product for both pets and humans.


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.


Scales in discussions for Europe expansion – MD
8 Jun 2023  

Scales in discussions for Europe expansion – MD

Scales Corporation has global ambitions for its pet food division, managing director Andy Borland told shareholders at the agribusiness’ annual shareholders meeting, including expanding into Europe.


Animals Like Us takes up residence in Woolworths
31 May 2023  

Animals Like Us takes up residence in Woolworths

The premium pet food brand founded by former Icebreaker supremos Jeremy Moon and Rob Achten secures national ranging across Australia.


ComCom green lights Woolworths’ $619m PETstock deal, ACCC decision pending
1 May 2023   /

ComCom green lights Woolworths’ $619m PETstock deal, ACCC decision pending

The ANZ pet sector deal gets the green light from NZ’s competition watchdog but is still waiting for a decision from Australian regulators.


Scales expands US proteins capacity
30 Mar 2023  

Scales expands US proteins capacity

Scales says it is expanding its pet food and ingredients capacity in the US following strong growth in the global proteins market.


Dog food startup hunts capital for US expansion
22 Mar 2023   /

Dog food startup hunts capital for US expansion

Early-stage raw dog food company Huntaway is planning to hub its wild venison product in the centre of the US and use four regional distribution centres.


ComCom releases prelim issues around Woolworths’ PETstock move
1 Mar 2023   /

ComCom releases prelim issues around Woolworths’ PETstock move

The Competition Commission has published its statement of preliminary issues relating to grocery group Woolworth’s proposed purchase of Australia’s Petspiration Group.


Strong protein offsets poor hort for diversified Scales…
23 Feb 2023  

Strong protein offsets poor hort for diversified Scales…

A record performance from its global proteins division has more than offset challenging horticulture sector conditions, pushing through a solid full year result at Scales Corporation.


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.


Different markets, different missions: Woolworths’ competition case for $619m PETstock buy
8 Feb 2023   /

Different markets, different missions: Woolworths’ competition case for $619m PETstock buy

Woolworths’ has filed a clearance application with the Commerce Commission as part of its proposed $619m Petspiration purchase.


New boss lands at Mars NZ
24 Jan 2023   /

New boss lands at Mars NZ

Emily Dowling joins from Mars Petcare following the resignation of Pete Simmons after sixteen years with the group.


The Food Drying Co aims for $15m raise
17 Jan 2023  

The Food Drying Co aims for $15m raise

A NZ firm aiming for a slice of the US$71bn global dried foods market is live with a capital raise to kick-start development of a network of innovative toll-drying hubs around the globe.


Woolworths expands NZ pet food presence with  $619m stake in Petspiration
16 Dec 2022   /

Woolworths expands NZ pet food presence with $619m stake in Petspiration

The acquisition of the Australasian pet retailer has been funded by the supermarket group’s Endeavour exit.


From Icebreaker to Animals Like Us – lessons from ‘premiumising’ the grocery pet food category
17 Nov 2022   /

From Icebreaker to Animals Like Us – lessons from ‘premiumising’ the grocery pet food category

“The pet aisle was pretty backward – it was ready to be premiumised and we thought we could do it,” says Animals Like Us founder Rob Achten.


Ebos sets sustainable packaging target
17 Nov 2022  

Ebos sets sustainable packaging target

Dual-listed animal and healthcare company Ebos has set a deadline to start its sustainable packaging journey by 2025 at the latest.


Ziwi profit shrinks as costs eat into rising revenue
31 Oct 2022  

Ziwi profit shrinks as costs eat into rising revenue

The pet food company’s first accounts since its $1.5bn takeover reveal just how much revenue it generates, and which costs have jumped by close to 50%.


Ziwi gets OIO consent for freeze drying deal 
30 Sep 2022  

Ziwi gets OIO consent for freeze drying deal 

Private equity-owned pet food company Ziwi has been cleared to buy Hastings-based Freeze Dried Foods NZ and its subsidiary Kiwigarden.


“It’s been the most significant brand launch investment in our history”- Nestlé’s Purina NZ on Oscar
28 Sep 2022   /

“It’s been the most significant brand launch investment in our history”- Nestlé’s Purina NZ on Oscar

The pet food business looks to capitalise on the boom in pet ownership with the launch of the Oscar cat food brand in NZ.


Scales gears up global proteins with A$27m Aus investments
27 Sep 2022   /

Scales gears up global proteins with A$27m Aus investments

The Christchurch-based diversified agribusiness invests in pet food processing and edible by-products operations in Australia.


Ziwi buying Freeze Dried Foods NZ
2 Sep 2022   /

Ziwi buying Freeze Dried Foods NZ

The private equity-owned pet food company is adding the largest freeze-drying operation in the
Southern Hemisphere to its operations.


Pet food pays dividends for Scales in H1
24 Aug 2022  

Pet food pays dividends for Scales in H1

Ongoing global demand for petfood saw global protein division earnings jump 88%, offsetting a drop in horticulture earnings.


Pet food helps drive double-digit earnings growth at Ebos
24 Aug 2022   /

Pet food helps drive double-digit earnings growth at Ebos

Ebos has turned in full year revenue of $10.7bn – the first time it has breached the $10bn mark – representing a 16.6% rise on 2021 with petfood helping the cause.


NZ gets first pet food B Corp
26 Jul 2022  

NZ gets first pet food B Corp

New Zealand pet food startup Gourmate Pet Treat Co is now a Certified B Corporation.


Ebos positive on pet food prospects
5 May 2022   /

Ebos positive on pet food prospects

Healthcare and pet food company Ebos Group says a growing pet population and the premiumisation of products will help support its pet food business.


Pet food pushes Scales net profit up 39%
24 Feb 2022  

Pet food pushes Scales net profit up 39%

The company’s food ingredients business saw FY21 earnings jump 52%.


Black Hawk, Vitapet revenue jumps to help Ebos to record revenue
16 Feb 2022   /

Black Hawk, Vitapet revenue jumps to help Ebos to record revenue

Strong sales of its premium pet food brands has boosted revenue at Ebos Group’s animal care division.


Nestlé joins price rise movers
6 Dec 2021  

Nestlé joins price rise movers

The multinational hikes prices on a range of food products, joining a number of peers moving to offset rising commodity and supply chain costs.


Alfa Pet owner eyes $2m Christchurch expansion to meet premium demand
4 Nov 2021   /

Alfa Pet owner eyes $2m Christchurch expansion to meet premium demand

The company says it can’t keep up with booming demand for its treats and plans to launch into the larger format pet food market.


Ebos preps Black Hawk rollout at new A$80m pet food factory
20 Oct 2021   /

Ebos preps Black Hawk rollout at new A$80m pet food factory

Healthcare and animal care company Ebos Group says its new A$80m pet food factory will soon start manufacturing its Black Hawk products.


$1.5bn Ziwi Peak sale in top three 2021 M&A deals
14 Oct 2021   /

$1.5bn Ziwi Peak sale in top three 2021 M&A deals

Law firm Simpson Grierson’s latest M&A report puts a value of US$1.057bn on FountainVest Partners’ purchase of NZ pet food company Ziwi Peak – the third largest New Zealand deal this year.


NZ Natural Pet Food Co’s export bet
27 Sep 2021  

NZ Natural Pet Food Co’s export bet

The Coromandel startup hit the market with a dual launch in Singapore and NZ four years ago, but it’s the US where it’s now going for growth.


Ebos appoints animal care CEO
23 Sep 2021   /

Ebos appoints animal care CEO

Healthcare and animal care company Ebos Group has appointed Julie Dillon the chief executive of its animal care business.


Ziwi goes with FountainVest
21 Sep 2021   /

Ziwi goes with FountainVest

The sale to the Chinese private equity firm provides the pet food business with access to capital and global market intelligence.


Bidders line up for billion-dollar Ziwi
20 Sep 2021   /

Bidders line up for billion-dollar Ziwi

Chinese private equity players FountainVest and Boyu have been linked to $1bn-plus bids for Ziwi.


Fond Foods name change
26 Aug 2021  

Fond Foods name change

Kiwi petfood company Fond Foods is changing its name to Superior Pet Food Co from 1 September.


F&B founders shortlisted for EY Entrepreneur of the Year
2 Aug 2021  

F&B founders shortlisted for EY Entrepreneur of the Year

NZ Natural Pet Food Company founders Amber Cordero and Jacqueline Taylor are among four finalists from the food sector.


Chinese demand drives expansion for Alfa Pet
26 May 2021   /

Chinese demand drives expansion for Alfa Pet

The premium pet food exporter is preparing to develop a second plant and piquing interest from overseas investors.


“The world’s our oyster” – Natural Pet Food’s Neil Hinton on KKR deal
14 May 2021   /

“The world’s our oyster” – Natural Pet Food’s Neil Hinton on KKR deal

The CEO says global investor KKR will accelerate the premium pet food firm’s international expansion.


KKR acquires Natural Pet Food Group
4 May 2021   /

KKR acquires Natural Pet Food Group

The deal sees Pioneer Capital exit and the food company fuelled to grow globally.


Royal Canin launches pet food recycling
20 Apr 2021  

Royal Canin launches pet food recycling

Royal Canin has launched a recycling programme to reduce the environmental impact of pet food bags and pouches.


Purina debuts “world first” allergen-reducing cat food
31 Mar 2021  

Purina debuts “world first” allergen-reducing cat food

Purina Pro Plan has launched a new allergen-reducing cat food into the New Zealand market.


Insect protein sector investment creating demand buzz – report
17 Mar 2021   /

Insect protein sector investment creating demand buzz – report

Significant investment has set the scene for global demand for insect ingredients, says Rabobank.


Royal Canin partners with Healthy Pets NZ
1 Mar 2021   /

Royal Canin partners with Healthy Pets NZ

Pet food manufacturer Royal Canin has partnered with Healthy Pets NZ as its first Human-Animal Bond Partner.