Ruqayyah Snyder
Bega Cheese, a subsidiary of the Bega Group, has been making cheese for Australian families for over 100 years. It is one of the largest dairy companies in Australia, with manufacturing sites in New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, and Victoria. The Bega Group was founded as an agricultural cooperative in the town of Bega, New South Wales, by dairy suppliers. The company became a public company in 2011 when it listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). Close to half of the publicly traded shares are still held by Bega's farmer-suppliers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ownership | Australian-owned |
| Type of company | Diversified food and drinks company |
| Location | Bega Valley, New South Wales |
| Year founded | 1899 |
| Number of employees | 500+ |
| Export market | Over 50 countries |
| Production capacity | 50,000 tonnes of value-added cheese products |
| Product range | Cheddar cheese retail packs, processed cheese products, individually wrapped slices, spreads, dairy consumer packaged goods, grocery products, peanut butter, etc. |
| Brands | Bega, Vegemite, Farmers Table, Zoosh, Picky Picky, Tatura, Dairymont, Bonox, Dare Iced Coffee, Dairy Farmers, Farmers Union, Zooper Dooper, Betta Milk, Meander Valley Dairy, and more. |
| Suppliers | Australian dairy farmers and peanut farmers |
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What You'll Learn
Bega Group's history and acquisitions
Bega Cheese, now known as the Bega Group, is an Australian-owned and operated cheese company located in the Bega Valley on the south coast of New South Wales. The company was founded as a dairy cooperative in 1899, and many of the current owners of Bega Cheese are the 100-plus dairy farmers.
The origins of Bega Cheese trace back to the 1850s when dairying began in the Bega Valley, New South Wales. In 1899, local farmers formalized their efforts by establishing the Bega Co-operative Creamery Company. The original Bega Cheese factory was opened in 1900, marking the beginning of formal production. The business remained regionally focused for much of the 20th century, but by 1960, Bega had begun to expand its operations.
The late 1990s marked a turning point for Bega Cheese. In 1997, the company constructed a modern cheese processing and packaging facility on Ridge Street in Bega and entered into a joint venture with Dairy Farmers (then known as Australian Co-operative Foods). This venture, now known as Capitol Chilled Foods, focused on processing and distributing chilled products in the ACT and Southern NSW.
Bega's expansion accelerated in the 2000s. In 2007, it acquired a 70% stake in Tatura Milk Industries, completing full ownership by 2011. Along the way, the company acquired several key assets: De Cicco Industries in the Melbourne suburb of Coburg (2008), Kraft Foods' cheese manufacturing facility in Strathmerton, Victoria (2009), and a new nutritional canning and blending plant in Derrimut, Victoria (2014).
In August 2011, Bega Cheese became a listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). From 2017 onwards, Bega underwent a strategic transformation into a diversified food group. In January 2017, it acquired Mondelez International’s Australian meals business, securing household names like Vegemite, Zoosh, and Bonox, as well as licenses for Dairylea and Snackabouts.
A landmark acquisition took place in November 2020 when Bega purchased Lion Dairy & Drinks from Japan’s Kirin Company for $534 million. The acquisition included major dairy brands such as Dairy Farmers and Pura Milk. In 2022, Bega consolidated its expanding portfolio under the Bega Group, bringing together brands including Bega Cheese, Vegemite, Pura, Dare Iced Coffee, Dairy Farmers, Farmers Union, and Zooper Dooper.
In August 2023, Bega entered into an agreement to acquire Betta Milk and Meander Valley Dairy from TasFoods Limited for $11 million, further strengthening its presence in Tasmania and the national dairy sector.
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Bega's Australian subsidiaries
Bega Cheese is an Australian-owned and operated company, with over 500 staff in the Bega Valley. The company was founded in 1899 as a dairy cooperative, and many of the current owners of Bega Cheese are the 100-plus dairy farmers. Bega Cheese is a truly Australian company, exporting around 20% of its overall production to over 50 countries worldwide.
The Bega Group, which Bega Cheese falls under, is an Australian diversified food and drinks company with manufacturing sites in New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, and Victoria. It was founded as an agricultural cooperative in the town of Bega, New South Wales, by dairy suppliers. The Bega Group became a public company in 2011 when it listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).
The Bega Group has a broad range of subsidiaries and brands, including:
- Vegemite
- Zoosh
- Bonox
- Dairylea
- Snackabouts
- Peanut Company of Australia
- Koroit milk drying and butter processing facility
- B Honey brand
- Lion Dairy & Drinks
- Dairy Farmers
- Pura Milk
- Dare Iced Coffee
- Farmers Union
- Zooper Dooper
- Betta Milk
- Meander Valley Dairy
- Pyengana Dairy
The Bega Group has a substantial presence in the Australian dairy sector and is one of the largest companies in this industry. It has a base milk supply of approximately 750 million litres per annum as of 2018. The company's revenue primarily comes from its spreads, dairy consumer packaged goods, and other grocery products. The Bega brand holds a significant share of the Australian retail cheese market.
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Bega's global acquisitions
Bega Cheese is an Australian-owned and operated cheese company located in the Bega Valley, on the south coast of New South Wales. The company was founded as a dairy cooperative in 1899, and many of the current owners of Bega Cheese are the 100-plus dairy farmers.
Bega's expansion accelerated in the 2000s, with the company acquiring several key assets. In 2007, it acquired a 70% stake in Tatura Milk Industries, completing full ownership by 2011. Other acquisitions include De Cicco Industries in Coburg, Melbourne (2008), Kraft Foods' cheese manufacturing facility in Strathmerton, Victoria (2009), and a new nutritional canning and blending plant in Derrimut, Victoria (2014).
In January 2017, Bega acquired Mondelez International's Australian meals business, securing household names like Vegemite, Zoosh, and Bonox, as well as licenses for Dairylea and Snackabouts. That same year, Bega sold its Derrimut infant formula plant and a spray dryer in Tatura to U.S.-based Mead Johnson. In 2018, Bega acquired the Koroit milk drying and butter processing facility in Victoria from Saputo and closed its Coburg facility in 2019.
A landmark acquisition took place in November 2020 when Bega purchased Lion Dairy & Drinks from Japan's Kirin Company for $534 million. The acquisition included major dairy brands such as Dairy Farmers and Pura Milk. In 2022, Bega consolidated its expanding portfolio under the Bega Group, bringing together brands including Bega Cheese, Vegemite, Pura, Dare Iced Coffee, Dairy Farmers, Farmers Union, and Zooper Dooper.
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Bega's manufacturing sites
Bega Cheese is an Australian-owned and operated cheese company located in the Bega Valley on the south coast of New South Wales. The company was founded as a dairy cooperative in 1899, and many of the current owners of Bega Cheese are the 100-plus dairy farmers.
Bega has manufacturing sites in New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, and Victoria. The company underwent a strategic transformation in 2017, diversifying its food group and acquiring Mondelez International's Australian meals business, which included household names like Vegemite and Zoosh. As part of this deal, Bega acquired the Port Melbourne manufacturing site.
In 2018, Bega further expanded its manufacturing capabilities by acquiring the Koroit milk drying and butter processing facility in Victoria. The company has also made significant acquisitions, such as the Kraft Foods cheese manufacturing facility in Strathmerton, Victoria, in 2009, and a nutritional canning and blending plant in Derrimut, Victoria, in 2014.
Bega's expansion has solidified its presence in the national dairy sector, and it is now one of the largest companies in the Australian dairy industry. The company's processing and packaging unit produces 50,000 tonnes of value-added cheese products, including cheddar cheese retail packs, processed cheese products, and individually wrapped slices. Bega's products are exported to over 40 countries, with just under a third of the company's revenue coming from exports as of 2019.
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Bega's ethical and environmental record
Bega Cheese is an Australian-owned and operated cheese company located in the Bega Valley on the south coast of New South Wales. The company was founded as a dairy cooperative in 1899, and many of the current owners of Bega Cheese are the 100-plus dairy farmers. Bega Cheese employs over 500 staff in the Bega Valley and exports around 20% of its overall production to over 50 countries worldwide. The company's processing and packaging unit produces 50,000 tonnes of value-added cheese products annually, including cheddar cheese retail packs, individually wrapped slices, and cheese products for food service outlets.
In terms of ethical and environmental practices, Bega has made some notable efforts. In 2019, the company launched the Purple Hive Project under its B Honey brand, focusing on honeybee biosecurity. This initiative demonstrates Bega's commitment to environmental sustainability and the importance of bees in the ecosystem.
Additionally, Bega has a strong connection to its Australian roots and supports local communities. The company is publicly listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), and close to half of the shares publicly traded are held by Bega's farmer-suppliers. This structure ensures that the company remains closely tied to its agricultural cooperative roots and the interests of its local dairy farmers.
Bega has also undergone strategic transformations to diversify its product offerings and acquire well-known Australian brands, such as Vegemite, Zoosh, and Bonox. These acquisitions have expanded Bega's presence in the food and beverage industry and contributed to its growth as one of the largest companies in the dairy sector in Australia.
However, it is important to note that Bega's rapid expansion and acquisitions have also led to some environmental concerns. For example, the company has acquired multiple manufacturing sites and facilities, which can contribute to increased energy consumption and carbon emissions. Additionally, the dairy industry as a whole has been associated with environmental impacts, including water usage and greenhouse gas emissions. While Bega has not disclosed specific environmental targets or sustainability goals, their large-scale operations and presence in the dairy sector suggest that they have a responsibility to address these industry-wide challenges.
In summary, Bega's ethical and environmental record shows a mix of initiatives and complexities. While the company has taken steps towards sustainability and community support, there are also opportunities for further improvement and transparency in addressing the environmental impacts of their operations and the dairy industry as a whole.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Bega is not 100% Australian-owned. It was owned by Lion/Kirin from 2007 to 2021, when Bega Cheese took over ownership. However, close to half of the shares publicly traded are still held by Bega's farmer-suppliers.
The Bega Group is an Australian diversified food and drinks company with manufacturing sites in New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, and Victoria. It is one of the largest companies in the dairy sector in Australia.
Bega owns many well-known brands, including Vegemite, Zoosh, Dare Iced Coffee, Farmers Union, and Dairy Farmers.
