Industry experts discuss outlook for Australia's food & grocery sector

Six Degrees Executive recently hosted two Food & Grocery Industry Outlook events in Melbourne and Sydney, bringing together over 200 of Australia's top food and grocery professionals. The events aimed to offer valuable market insights and foster strategic discussions that would help suppliers, retailers, and other stakeholders collaborate in navigating the economic challenges facing Australia’s food and grocery sector. With macroeconomic pressures such as inflation and supply chain disruptions at the forefront of the agenda, the event provided a platform for industry leaders to explore how suppliers are balancing the need to maintain strong retailer relationships with the necessity of building long-term resilience amid market volatility. At the Melbourne event, Tanya Barden, CEO of the Australian Food and Grocery Council, was joined by a panel of prominent leaders, including Peter Findlay, CEO of Bega Group; Peter Schulte, Head of Global Sales at SunRice; and Suzanne Harman, Senior Director of Supply Chain & Fulfilment at Simplot. In Sydney, the panel featured Paul Foster, CEO of George Weston Foods; Alexia Horley, General Manager of Foods at PepsiCo; and Glen Wojcinski, Supply Chain Director of Kellanova. “As our industry faces increasing economic pressures and public scrutiny, it’s more important than ever to maintain strong, balanced relationships between suppliers and retailers. We’re part of an interconnected ecosystem where collaboration is key to overcoming challenges and driving long-term growth,” said Barden. Central to the discussions was the critical role of suppliers in ensuring products reach consumers, despite ongoing market uncertainties. Speakers highlighted the importance of forging and maintaining strategic, collaborative partnerships