Australia’s food and beverage industry — our largest manufacturing sector — contributes 32% of total manufacturing turnover and employs more than 270,000 people. From meat and grains to dairy, beverages and confectionery, these businesses form the backbone of regional and metropolitan economies. Yet despite its scale and importance, the industry is navigating rapid change.
The coming years will see new trends in the food and beverage industry, from digitalisation and sustainability to shifting consumer expectations and ongoing financial pressures. For small and medium enterprises (SMEs), understanding these shifts — and how working capital finance can support growth — is key to long-term success.
The State of the Industry: Opportunities and Challenges
While demand for essential food and beverages will always exist, businesses are grappling with the lingering effects of the pandemic, geopolitical tension, climate impacts and inflation. Among the biggest challenges are:
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Supply chain disruptions — delays and higher freight costs are forcing manufacturers to diversify suppliers and explore circular supply chains.
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Skills shortages — nearly half of food service businesses report difficulty finding staff, leading to reduced hours and lost revenue opportunities.
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Currency and commodity fluctuations — a weaker Australian Dollar and rising input costs continue to squeeze profit margins.
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Climate change — floods, droughts and sustainability expectations are driving investment in greener practices and packaging innovation.
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Shifting consumer behaviour — Australians are prioritising value, health and sustainability in their purchasing decisions.
Despite these pressures, the industry remains resilient. Globally, it grew by almost 9% in 2022, and locally it’s forecast to become a $250 billion powerhouse by 2030. The key for Australian food and beverage businesses lies in smart adaptation — and strong cash flow management to fund it.
Key Trends Shaping the Industry
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Digitalisation and automation
Food manufacturers are embracing automation, AI and analytics to improve productivity, traceability and reduce waste. Investment in technology helps cut costs while enhancing competitiveness — a crucial move for Australian businesses competing with imports.
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Conscious consumption
Sustainability is now a purchasing driver. Consumers want local, low-waste and ethically sourced products. Many brands are responding with recyclable packaging and transparency in their supply chains.
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Health-driven demand
Consumers are increasingly health-conscious, fuelling growth in plant-based foods, low-sugar alternatives and non-alcoholic beverages — now a $10 billion global market projected to grow 8% by 2025.
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Inflation and cost pressures
Rising input costs for fresh produce, energy and transport continue to challenge operators, particularly small producers. Maintaining profitability requires innovation, flexibility and access to fast funding.
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Supply chain resilience
Businesses are experimenting with alternative ingredients, diversifying suppliers, and investing in digital tools to gain visibility and agility — a critical step in maintaining consistent output amid global uncertainty.
Why Financial Flexibility Matters
The ability to respond quickly to shifting conditions is now a competitive advantage. Many SMEs in the food and beverage industry face delayed customer payments, unpredictable expenses and increasing operating costs — making access to working capital finance more essential than ever.
Strong cash flow management allows you to:
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Reinforce your supply chain — take advantage of early payment discounts or bulk-buy stock to avoid shortages.
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Ride out market fluctuations — maintain liquidity to handle currency or pricing volatility.
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Adapt and grow — invest in automation, sustainability initiatives or new product lines to meet changing consumer trends.
Financing Solutions for Food and Beverage Businesses
Octet offers several intelligent finance options tailored to the food and beverage sector:
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Debtor Finance: Access up to 85% of the value of your unpaid invoices within 24 hours. This provides fast cash flow to cover expenses, reinvest in growth or mitigate payment delays. Beverage company Saintly used this solution to scale its brand while smoothing out cash flow fluctuations.
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Trade Finance: Gain a revolving line of credit to pay local or international suppliers upfront — with up to 60 days interest-free and 120-day repayment terms. This flexibility helps strengthen supplier relationships and manage seasonal peaks.
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Supply Chain Accelerate: An unsecured, off-balance sheet funding option that pays your suppliers in full while giving you up to 90 days to repay. Ideal for more sophisticated food manufacturers seeking capital efficiency.
These facilities help Australian businesses unlock the funds tied up in their supply chains — ensuring financial strength even amid uncertainty.
Building a Resilient Future
The future of finance in the food and beverage industry lies in agility, digital innovation and sustainability. By understanding the latest trends in the food and beverage industry and implementing proactive cash flow management, SMEs can stay ahead of market changes.
With the right working capital finance, your business can secure supply chains, manage risk and seize opportunities in one of Australia’s most dynamic sectors.
Powering the food and beverage industry
Octet provides solutions for all of your supply chain business finance requirements in one central location. We can help you better manage your cash flow, grow your business and leverage both global and local opportunities.
Get in touch today to discover which options will best suit your business.
Disclaimer: These comments are only our views and should not be construed as advice. You should act using your own information and judgment. Although information has been obtained from and is based upon multiple sources the author believes to be reliable, we do not guarantee its accuracy, and it may be incomplete or condensed. All opinions and estimates constitute the author’s own judgment as at the date of publication and are subject to change without notice.
