Bega Cheese
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AUS |
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Dairy product manufacturer
Founded in 1899 in the Bega Valley, NSW. Major cheese producer supplied by 500 dairy farms from NSW and VIC. Acquired 70% of Tatura Milk Industries in 2007, and the remaining 30% in 2011. Changed corporate structure from a co-operative to an unlisted public company in 2008, and listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) in 2011. All Bega branded cheese products are marketed in Australia by Fonterra. Acquired the Vegemite brand and Kraft license from Mondelez Australia in Jan 2017, and the Lion Dairy & Drinks business from Kirin in 2021.
Bega Cheese Ltd | AUS | website |
Company Assessment
PRAISE | CRITICISM | INFORMATION | ||
Bega Cheese Ltd | ||||
Signatory to the Australian Packaging Covenant, a voluntary agreement to encourage waste minimisation.
Source: Australian Packaging Covenant (2020) |
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 22/100 in the Food Products category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 7 Feb 2021). The rankings are based on an analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, risk management, environmental reporting, climate strategy, human rights and labour practices.
Source: S&P Global (2021) |
In Dec 2015 the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) issued a $15,000 penalty notice to this company for using wet sawdust fuel in its wood-fired boiler at the Lagoon Street premises, leading to a discharge of excessive smoke.
Source: EPA (2016)
Some, but not necessarily all, of this company's spreads are palm oil free. For more details, follow the link to see Borneo Orangutan Survival Australia's list of products which manufacturers have told them are palm oil free or contain segregated certified sustainable palm oil.
Source: BOS Australia (2020)
This company has extensive sustainability claims on its website in two core areas: Farm Sustainability and Factory Sustainability.
Source: company website (2021)
In 2014 a former CEO of Bega Cheese pleaded guilty to multiple charges of child sexual abuse on the NSW far south coast. Maurice Van Ryn sexually abused and indecently assaulted six boys at his Tathra home over the past eight years. Van Ryn was CEO of Bega Cheese from 1990 to 2005.
Source: news article (2014)
According to data released by the Australian Tax Office in Dec 2018, this company was one of 2,159 local and foreign-based companies that paid no tax in Australia in 2016-17. Please note however that companies pay income tax on profits, not revenue (total income). While some companies use tax havens and loopholes to avoid paying their fair share of tax in Australia, other companies that paid no tax have perfectly legitimate reasons.
Source: ATO (2018) |
Company Details
Type | Public company |
Founded | 1899 |
Revenue | 1.4 billion AUD (2019) |
Employees | 2,000 (2019) |
Aus Manufacturing | Yes |
Subsidiaries | Tatura Milk Industries Ltd ![]() Dairy product manufacturing Bega Cheese acquired 70% of this company in 2007, and the remaining 30% in 2011. 60% of production is exported. Capitol Chilled Foods (Australia) Pty Ltd (50% owned) ![]() Dairy Joint venture between Lion Dairy & Drinks and the Bega Cheese. It is the only dairy manufacturer in the ACT. They also distribute a number of Lion and Bega brands in the ACT. Bega Dairy and Drinks Pty Ltd ![]() Dairy & drinks manufacturer One of Australia's largest dairy companies (formerly known as National Foods). Acquired Australian dairy companies Dairy Farmers in 2008, Lactos in 2006, and King Island Dairy in 2002, plus juice company Berri in 2005. Owned by Lion/Kirin from 2007 until 2021, when Bega Cheese took over ownership. - Vitasoy Australia Products Pty Ltd (50% owned) ![]() Soymilk producers Vitasoy Australia is a joint venture between Vitasoy International and Lion Dairy & Drinks. Operates one production facility in Wodonga, VIC. - Capitol Chilled Foods (Australia) Pty Ltd (50% owned) ![]() Dairy Joint venture between Lion Dairy & Drinks and the Bega Cheese. It is the only dairy manufacturer in the ACT. They also distribute a number of Lion and Bega brands in the ACT. |
Contact Details
Address | 23-45 Ridge St, North Bega, NSW, 2550, Australia |
Phone | 02 6491 7777 |
bega.admin@begacheese.com.au | |
Website | www.begacheese.com.au |
Products / Brands
Bega Cheese
B Honey Honey Bega Cheese Bega Peanut/Nut Butter Bega Cheese Spread Bonox Stock Dairylea Cheese |
Farmer's Table Butter & Margarine Simply Nuts Peanut/Nut Butter Vegemite Yeast Spread Zoosh Dips Zoosh Salad Dressing/Mayonnaise |
Bega Dairy & Drinks
Vitasoy Australia (50% owned)
Vitasoy ![]() Vitasoy Flavoured Milk |