Bega Cheese is this morning announcing an expansion to its growing portfolio of food products with a "paddock to plate" peanut butter brand.
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Bega Simply Nuts is the first brand to be launched by Bega Cheese since its 2018 acquisition of Peanut Company of Australia (PCA).
Bega Foods executive general manager Adam McNamara said since purchasing PCA, Bega had been actively working to support farmers to increase the supply of peanuts here in Australia.
"We're committed to helping strengthen the future of what potentially has been a fragile primary industry in Queensland," Mr McNamara said.
"As we continue with this work, Bega is proud to launch our first vertically integrated peanut butter product. Which means our delicious Aussie grown peanuts are now being delivered from sunny Queensland and right into the hands of our consumers, in the form of Bega Simply Nuts Peanut Butter.
"Bega's new Simply Nuts offers an Australian owned, grown and made natural peanut butter that delivers on taste and we're really proud of what the product represents," he said.
"We're looking forward to continuing to explore and innovate in this space and help farmers grow the industry."
Bega's foray into peanut butter has been anything but smooth.
Less than a year after paying $460million for Mondelez Australia's Kraft-branded spreads and sauces business, including breakfast icon Vegemite, the American giant flagged plans to return to the Australia market.
Kraft Foods also launched court action in the US to force Bega to stop using the trademark yellow-lidded peanut butter jars, which the dairy company bought as part of its much-acclaimed acquisition of the Mondelez brands, factory and recipes in 2017.
It's understood that matter is before the US courts in coming months, with Bega unable to comment for now.
"As you can imagine, we're not in a position where we can talk about it," Mr McNamara said.
"What I can say is we are confident in our position and as soon as we can say more, we will!
"For the time being our focus remains as it always has been - building and strengthening our position in the market and continuing to ensure we provide the best quality and best tasting food that all Aussies can love and connect with."
Bega Simply Nuts will be sold in a 325g glass jar which the company said encourages consumers to re-use or recycle the jar. Bega Simply Nuts Peanut Butter is made solely from 100 per cent Aussie peanuts and a pinch of sea salt.
