NEWS
Victorian Government looks to rail to move more freight
Port Melbourne is seen as an important hub for Victoria’s rail future.
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Port Rail Shuttle Network will be key to the Victorian Government’s plans to deliver importers and exporters new efficiencies in their supply chains by moving more freight onto rail. Rail has been underutilised in Melbourne for short-haul freight operations, with the entire metropolitan freight task currently
undertaken by road transport. Rail is also seen as critical to the Port of Melbourne’s future success as container throughput triples by 2050. Eighty-seven per cent of import containers handled by the port travel to a destination less than 50 kilometres from the port. The proposed Port Rail Shuttle
Network would establish terminals in the city’s west, north and potentially the south east, where import containers could be railed prior to delivery by road to their final destinations. The proposed network promises an efficient and cost-effective alternative to road transport, as well as catering for export and empty
containers and – potentially – interstate freight. The Victorian Government has partnered with the private sector to develop the network. Operators of terminals located at Altona and Somerton have been selected to build the new rail sidings and connections needed for the efficient operation of the network.
Non-alcoholic wine market set to expand S urpassing a valuation of more than $15 billion, the non-alcoholic wine market is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 7 per cent during the forecast period. The beverage industry is undergoing a transformation with the rise of ‘healthier’ categories of non-alcoholic beverage variants such as non-alcoholic wine. Compared to traditional wine, low and nonalcoholic wine is soaring on popularity owing to the development of non-alcoholic wine, which caters to a large segment of the population. Consumption of non-
alcoholic wine and other beverages is increasingly becoming one of the mainstream trends that is believed to be shaping the scale of the global beverage industry. The convergence of these patterns is underpinning the exponential growth for the non-alcoholic wine market over the forecast period. Key features of the study include the following: • Europe leads the non-alcoholic wine market, holding shares more than 40 per cent in 2018. The wine markets in Europe are well established with Italy and France
having the highest per capita consumption of over 35 litres per person per year. • Although volume and value growth are modest in Europe, North America is anticipated to be the most important non-alcoholic wine market in the world with a growth rate of over 8 per cent. • In 2018, the alcohol-free segment comprised more than 50 per cent of the total share of the industry. Increasing adoption of these products as a form of sports drink has enhanced industry growth, especially among athletes.
• S upermarkets represented more than 20 per cent of the total beer market. With several innovative ways to boost consumer spending on non-alcoholic wines, supermarket chains are thriving on increasing sales. • The online stores segment is projected to grow at the highest growth rate of over 9 per cent between 2019 and 2027. Inclination under the category of non-alcoholic wine to e-commerce and e-tailing is bringing about shifts in customer buying experience.
www.foodmag.com.au | March 2020 | Food&Beverage Industry News 5
