Beloved Australian Dairy Brands Saved From Collapse

Two beloved dairy brands are getting a second chance after nearly disappearing from Australian supermarkets forever.

Mundella Foods and Margaret River Dairy Company collapsed into liquidation in August, leaving creditors owed millions and threatening to end nearly 50 years of local yoghurt production. Now a rescue deal means both brands will return to shelves before the Christmas period.

Artisanal Market, a local processor, purchased the brands and their assets, including processing facilities in Perth and Margaret River. The company's managing director Kevin Sorgiovanni previously founded another well-known Western Australian brand, Harvey Fresh.

"We saw the Mundella and Margaret River business as a great opportunity for the South West and also to add some value back to the WA dairy market," Sorgiovanni said. He had been interested in acquiring the companies since 2023, when they were sold to The Cheeky Cow, which later collapsed.

Both yoghurt brands will be manufactured at the export-approved facility near Margaret River. Production will start at 2 million litres annually, with capacity to expand to 10 million litres as demand grows.

The Ripple Effect

The revival brings hope to dairy farmers across southern Western Australia who depend on local processors. Ian Noakes, president of WA Farmers Dairy Council, said the additional competition could improve prices for local producers.

The challenge now is securing milk supply, since most contracts are already locked up with major companies. Farmers will need to wait until contracts expire to potentially supply the revived brands.

Artisanal Market has bigger plans beyond the local market. The company aims to export both brands to Asia, tapping into growing international demand for Australian dairy products. First priority, though, is getting these familiar brands back where they belong on Western Australian shelves.

For shoppers who grew up with Mundella yoghurt since its founding in 1974, the return means more than just another product option. It represents local jobs preserved, farming communities supported, and proof that iconic Australian brands can survive tough times.