{
  "id": 13058964,
  "title": "Sale rescues landmark WA dairy brands from collapse",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/sale-rescues-landmark-wa-dairy-brands-from-collapse",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-09T07:06:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-09/mundella-sale-last-minute-rescue-deal-saves-wa-dairy/107247990"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Artisanal Market, a local processor, has rescued two important West Australian dairy brands, Mundella Foods and Margaret River Dairy Company, from collapse. The companies went into liquidation in August, leaving creditors owed millions of dollars. Artisanal Market has purchased the brands and assets, including processing facilities in Perth and Margaret River, for an undisclosed amount.\n\nManaging director Kevin Sorgiovanni of Artisanal Market first expressed interest in buying the companies back in 2023. Despite the difficulties, Sorgiovanni believes the Mundella and Margaret River brands present an opportunity for the South West and a chance to add value to the WA dairy market.\n\nThe yoghurt production from Mundella and Margaret River will begin at the export-approved Metricup processing facility near Margaret River before the Christmas period. Mundella's original manufacturing facility in Mundijong, near Perth, will be mothballed due to its poor condition. Artisanal Market, jointly owned by PenAgri Group and Research Corporation, aims to target the Asian market for broader sales, although their primary focus is on regaining the WA market shelves first.\n\nThe revival of these two landmark dairy brands is welcome news for dairy farmers in southern WA. However, challenges persist, with WA Farmers Dairy Council president Ian Noakes expressing interest in how Artisanal Market will secure milk supply. Most of the milk in Western Australia is contracted, and the dominant companies are not conducive to allowing milk to be sold to other buyers. Therefore, it may be necessary to wait until a supplier is out of contract to secure milk. Noakes hopes that the increased competition will lead to better price points for local dairy farmers.",
  "summary": "Collapsed WA dairy brands Mundella Foods and the Margaret River Dairy Company have been revived after a deal spearheaded by Harvey Fresh founder Kevin Sorgiovanni.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}