Vegemite back Down Under for US$345m
Print Edition
VEGEMITE, the salty yeast-based spread beloved by Australians, is returning Down Under after decades of US ownership.
An acquired taste for the foreign palate, Vegemite on toast is a staple found on most Australian breakfast tables, and its fans range from prime ministers to celebrity chefs.
Cheese maker Bega announced the US$345 million purchase yesterday of most of US-based Mondelez International’s Australia and New Zealand grocery business, which includes the tarry sandwich filling.
Barry Irvin, Bega’s executive chairman, pointed out “the wonderful heritage and values that Vegemite represents and its importance to Australian culture” in a statement.
The sticky spread, which was invented to rival Britain’s Marmite, first hit the shelves in 1923 and during World War II was rationed for civilians due to overwhelming demand from the military. Today, the yeast extract made from a beer brewing by-product, sells on average close to one jar per Australian each year.
Developed by the Fred Walker Company, Vegemite was acquired after the war by Kraft which in 2012 split in two forming Mondelez. Despite being owned by a US outfit, Vegemite has continued to be produced in Melbourne.
The National Museum of Australia says the spread “provides a connection back to seemingly simpler times and is symbolic of the reverence for the ordinary in Australian culture.”
Even haute cuisine has got in on the act, with celebrity British chef Heston Blumenthal putting an experimental Vegemite-inspired ice cream on his menu for an Australia Day next week in Melbourne.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
