Briefcase: Business Snippets from around South Australia
In this week’s Briefcase, the Adelaide Oval CEO reaches for his apron as SA meat exports soar. Plus, the latest business events.
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- Leading defence companies go to London
- Adelaide Oval CEO joins top chefs for charity
- SA meat exports soar
- Port Adelaide distillery has award-winning spirit
- Southern development opportunity hits the market
- Adelaide Fashion Week announces stacked lineup
- Tiny olive wins big
- Milk production warnings
- 23rd Street Distillery joins the limoncello movement
Leading defence companies go to London
South Australian defence and space industry companies have flocked to London over the past few weeks as part of the Defence SA Trade Mission.
Members of the SA Trade Delegation paid visits to the ADS Group and the Manufacturing Technology Centre to strengthen ties with UK industry counterparts.
Many companies were also in attendance at the Australian British Chamber of Commerce Defence Catalyst event, which saw Treasurer and Defence & Space Industries Minister Stephen Mulligan and Chief Executive of Defence SA Matt Opie speak as part of a three-day program.
CEO of Defence Teaming Centre Libby Day said that the meetings, events and engagements had provided fantastic opportunities to explore new avenues for collaboration.
Many companies also attended the DSEI 2025 Trade Show. South Australia had its own stand at the show, and 50 SA companies were represented at the national Team Defence Australia stand.
“DSEI provides a significant platform to showcase our state’s strengths and reinforce our role in the AUKUS alliance,” said Day.
Oval CEO joins top chefs for charity
Adelaide Oval CEO Nick Addison is joining top chefs from Parwana Afghan Kitchen and founder of Indigiearth Sharon Winsor as part of this year’s OzHarvest CEO CookOff.
“I’d describe my cooking skills as average but I’m still looking forward to joining the CEO Cookoff and fundraising for OzHarvest’s important work feeding South Australians in need,” he said.
The CookOff will be held at the OzHarvest market in Hindmarsh next month. Since 2012 the initiative has raised more than $16 million.
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Other leaders joining Addison include Olympic swimmer Matt Temple, SA head of the French Australia Chamber of Commerce Florence Masters, the general manager of Suez Wafaa Khalifi and Beach Energy CEO Brett Woods.
SA meat exports soar
Meat exports reached a new peak of $1.64 billion, after a boost of $573 million in the past year.
Despite global instability spurred by Trump’s tariffs and fears it would destablise South Australia’s US export market – SA’s top five markets have seen an uptick led by a surge of about $273 million in meat exports to the US.
SA also saw gains of $60 million to South Korea, Japan with $34 million, China with $17 million and Malaysia with $22 million.
Beef is the standout performer, with exports more than doubling to reach $849.3 million, and lamb climbing by almost 20 per cent to about $717 million.
Port Adelaide distillery has award-winning spirit
Family-run distillery Milledge’s VODKA INNIT won a master medal at the 2025 Vodka Masters in August – an accolade that outranks gold.
The competition, organised by The Spirits Business to gathers the world’s leading vodka brands, bestowed the honour on the spirit, which is described as velvety, with hints of sweet melon and lilac notes.
It follows the homegrown spirit winning bronze at the 2025 International Wine and Spirit competition in London in June.
Milledges owner Adrian Galindo said since they produced their first batch just three years ago, the vodka has “really taken off”.
“We supply to over 50 bars here in Adelaide, our Victorian and NSW distribution is gaining traction and we now have interest from around the world, particularly Europe, as a result of these awards,” he said.
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Young Carer’s Voices and Hearts Luncheon: The 2025 Young Carer Voices & Hearts Luncheon will be an exclusive gathering at Adelaide Oval on Thursday, October 9, 2025. This event is dedicated to honouring the remarkable contributions of South Australia’s Young Carers and amplifying their voices. South Australian Zero Homelessness Summit 2025: This event on October 23 aims to unite key stakeholders from across the state to foster practical solutions for ending homelessness in South Australia. |
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Southern development opportunity hits the market
A Noarlunga Downs property adjacent to the Wetlands Trail and Christies Beach is on the market, managed by Colliers’ Investment Services.
The block at 113 Liguria Crescent is about 5240 square metres and is marketed as an opportunity for developers to shape the Southern growth corridor.
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“The property’s zoning and location align perfectly with market demand for diverse housing and integrated amenity,” Colliers’ Head of Office Capital Markets & Investment Services Jordan Schmidt said.
Noarlunga Downs has experienced 14.3 per cent median house price growth over the past year, reflecting demand and demographic expansion in the area.
It has a maximum building height of three levels and minimum allotment sizes starting from 150 square metres, with expressions of interest closing September 25.
Adelaide Fashion Week announces stacked lineup
Adelaide Fashion Week will return in October with more than 30 events, including five runways.
Adelaide Economic Development Agency (AEDA) organises the city’s festival of fashion and has partnered with South Australian Fashion Industry Association (SAFIA) to create the runways, with an emphasis on local designers.
“We are thrilled to feature upcoming, established and local designers across these runways, showcasing Adelaide’s talent and creativity,” AEDA General Manager Greg Ratsch said.
The first runway event, called Future Collective, will spotlight local labels including Archives of Zobo, Blakesby Hats & Accessories, Bübish, 23rd August, The Wolf Gang, VAN BRUSSEL, Studio Lexi and Katya Komarova.
Adelaide Fashion Week runs from October 8 – 11, and the full lineup is available online, with tickets on sale now.
Tiny olive wins big
Rio Vista Olives’ single variety Koroneiki has been named SA’s best Extra Virgin Olive Oil at the Royal Adelaide Olive Awards.
The tiny Greek olive packed a mighty punch, Rio Vista Olives manager Leon Bettio said.
“We are always very proud of our Koroneiki Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and this year it has really shone in its complexity and depth of aroma and flavour,” Bettio said.
“It was an early harvest and so the wonderful grassiness has really come to fore, but still pairing with a fantastic fruitiness.”
Milk production warnings
Production of Australian milk is expected to fall again this current season due to feed shortages and a smaller milking herd in drought-affected areas, according to new Rabobank research.
It comes as global milk supply surges, with production increasing across other dairy-exporting regions.
RaboResearch forecasts a 1.7 per cent decline in Australian milk production for the 2025/26 season.
23rd Street Distillery joins the limoncello movement
Renmark-based 23rd Street Distillery has launched a limited-edition limoncello, with just 400 bottles produced.
The distiller said limoncello had experienced a “remarkable boom” over the past year.
It claims its own take on the Italian classic is “vibrant, expressive, and unmistakably Australian”.
“We wanted to dip our toes into the booming limoncello space and see where it takes us,” 23rd Street Distillery brand lead Eloise Penny said.
“It’s an exciting time for innovation, and while this is a smaller launch, it might be something we look at expanding in the future.”
Customers are encouraged to secure their bottles early via the distiller’s website or by visiting the Renmark distillery cellar door.
