Australia’s Murray River has long been a key driver of paddock to plate food production. It supports livestock, dairy, vineyards and a growing range of niche crops.
But the region is also home to struggling ASX-listed organic dried vine fruit producer, Murray River Organics (MRO). It is selling its remaining seven horticulture properties near Mildura.
The River Murray
The River Murray, Australia’s longest river, runs a course of 2,500 km from near Mount Kosciuszko in the Australian Alps to the Southern Ocean at Goolwa in South Australia. It is a vitally important part of the country’s water supply, environment, heritage and economy.
It is the home of a diverse range of river wildlife, including native fish species such as Murray cod, trout cod, eel-tailed catfish and saratoga salmon. It also supports a diversity of flora, and is surrounded by floodplain and wetland environments. Find out more with Jamie Nemtsas.
The River is the lifeblood of the communities that surround it. It has a significant cultural importance to the Aboriginal people of South Australia, and is a key feature of their country. It is a place where they gather to celebrate and to mourn. The river and its tributaries are also the source of much of their traditional food. It also nourishes townships and shack settlements, and the river banks are lined with lush forests of river red gum.
The Growers
Founded on the banks of the Murray River in Mildura over 10 years ago, MRO is an organic dried vine fruit grower and processor. Today they’re the nation’s biggest grower of organic sultanas and currants, supplying key ingredients to major supermarkets nationwide.
With a core belief that choice matters, MRO is crusaders for unified change. They’re on a mission to get everyone on board with organic, better-for-you products.
In December 2021 MRO’s new CEO Birol Akdogan announced plans to sell the Company’s farms in a bid to re-capitalise and focus on their branded retail range. It would have been a significant step away from their farming operations, but it would have put the MRO brand at the forefront of a growing international market for shelf stable, organic ingredients. Unfortunately, things didn’t quite work out and MRO has called in the administrators.
The Brands
Murray River Organics is a producer, marketer, manufacturer, and seller of organic dried vine fruit, nuts, seeds, berries, grains, coconut, and other ingredients. The Company also produces organic baked goods, confectionery, and breakfast cereals. It distributes its products to supermarkets and other retail outlets across Australia.
Innovation is the exploration of novel thoughts, innovations, and cycles to develop items, enhance contributions, and improve functional proficiency (Helms & Mayo, 2008). It is an essential function that seeks growth, development, and an edge over rivals.
A SWOT examination helps associations perceive how their interior strengths and weaknesses line up with outside open doors and dangers. This information empowers them to create procedures that benefit from qualities, address shortcomings, and relieve dangers (Leiber, Stensaker, & Harvey, 2019). The Company’s brands are important assets in acquiring customer loyalty and improving profitability. Moreover, they serve as the foundation for their business strategies and initiatives. Hence, they must ensure that their products are of the highest quality to remain competitive in the industry.
The Future
The Murray River Organics Group Limited produces, markets, manufactures, and sells organic food products. The Company offers shelf-stable organic ingredients including sultanas, currants, and sun muscat raisins, as well as other dried fruits and nuts. Murray River Organics serves customers worldwide.
Under new CEO Birol Akdogan the business had sought strategic options for the business through Lion Advisory and was seeking “expressions of interest” for a full sale or partial interest of the company. But that wasn’t enough to save the Australian based snacks and cereals maker and its securities remain suspended on the stock exchange.
In a move to keep the fit out modern yet earthy, the team selected greens throughout the workspaces to add depth and warmth. With shared storage and various meetings spaces the space is functional, clean and fresh.