Riverina Fresh

What Riverina Fresh does

Riverina Fresh is an Australian dairy manufacturer and vertically integrated foodservice distributor headquartered in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales. Founded in 1922 as the Murrumbidgee Co-Operative Dairy Co., the company produces fresh milk, cream, and flavoured dairy products from its long-standing Wagga Wagga factory, exclusively sourcing raw milk from Riverina region farmers. The business was acquired by Fonterra in 2005 and returned to 100% Australian-owned independent ownership in 2016 under Executive Chairman Craig Shapiro, with Mark Heintz serving as CEO. The company employs 101-250 staff (one source cites nearly 100) across Wagga Wagga manufacturing plus Sydney and Melbourne sales and distribution teams.

The company's revenue model combines branded dairy manufacturing with broad-line foodservice distribution. It produces ten core Riverina Fresh branded dairy SKUs (Full Cream, Lactose Free Full Cream, Light, Skim, Gold Milk, Thickened Cream, Fresh Cream, Chocolate Flavoured Milk, Iced Coffee, Strawberry Flavoured Milk) and supplies approximately 300 SKUs to NSW/ACT customers and 200 SKUs to VIC customers, including third-party plant-based milks, juices, syrups, cheese, butter, smallgoods, and café-specific ingredients. Riverina Fresh serves roughly 3,000 cafés, restaurants, and hotels through direct field sales, warehouses in Sydney and Melbourne, the Ordermentum online ordering platform, and approximately 80% in-house distribution. Manufacturing operations incorporate IoT equipment monitoring, barista-optimised batch milk performance testing, and partner-farm robotic milking systems. Café sales mix is approximately 75% dairy and 25% plant-based.

In March 2026 the company acquired Babushka's Kefir, an Australian kefir yoghurt manufacturer based in Botany, NSW, marking entry into the fermented and functional dairy category. Riverina Fresh is 100% Australian-owned, holds the 2025 Australian Grand Dairy Awards Grand Champion title for Lactose Free milk, and operates as a privately held company. Revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Riverina Fresh

Legal name

Riverina Fresh Pty. Ltd.

Website

https://riverinafresh.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1922

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Riverina Fresh is an Australian-owned dairy manufacturer and foodservice distributor producing fresh milk and cream in Wagga Wagga, distributing approximately 300 SKUs to 3,000+ cafés across NSW, ACT, and VIC.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fresh Dairy Manufacturing

NAICS

Dairy Product (except Frozen) Manufacturing (31151), Dairy Product Manufacturing (3115), Fluid Milk Manufacturing (311511)

SIC

Dairy Products (2020)

akta.pro primary industry

Dairy-Based Beverages Manufacturing (Flavored Milk, Lassi, Drinkable Yogurt) (AFAKAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Flavored & Sweetened Milk Drinks (Chocolate/Strawberry, Malted Milk) (AFAHAIAA), Milk Kefir & Cultured Dairy Drink Production (AFAFAHAC), Coffee & Tea Dairy Beverages (Iced Latte/Milk Coffee, Milk Tea, Chai-Based Dairy Drinks) (AFAHAIAF)

Keywords

• Dairy manufacturing
• Fresh milk production
• Foodservice distribution
• Barista-grade dairy
• Specialty coffee milk

Headquarters

HQ city

Wagga Wagga

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Dairy Product Manufacturing & Sales: Manufacturing and direct sale of fresh milk, cream, flavoured milks, and dairy products to retail and foodservice customers. Revenue generated from product sales across multiple SKUs including Full Cream, Lactose Free, Light, Skim milk, creams, and flavoured milk range.
2. Foodservice Distribution: Distribution of a broad range of café and hospitality products including plant-based milks, yoghurts, cheese, butter, bacon, smallgoods, juices, syrups, chai, and other specialty ingredients. The company acts as a one-stop supply partner for hospitality venues.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Riverina Fresh manufactures fresh milk, cream, and flavoured dairy products at its Wagga Wagga factory using milk sourced exclusively from Riverina region farmers. The company also operates a vertically integrated foodservice distribution business supplying approximately 3,000 cafés, restaurants, and hotels across NSW, VIC, and ACT with dairy and a broad range of third-party café and hospitality products. Its product portfolio includes award-winning milk variants (Full Cream, Lactose Free, Light, Skim, Gold) and creams, supported by a Babushka's Kefir brand acquired in March 2026.

Product overview

Riverina Fresh is a 100% Australian-owned dairy manufacturer and foodservice distribution business offering a portfolio of fresh milk, cream, and flavoured dairy products alongside a broad range of third-party café and hospitality products. The core product line consists of ten Riverina Fresh branded dairy items: Full Cream Milk, Lactose Free Full Cream Milk, Light Milk, Skim Milk, Gold Milk (premium coffee milk), Thickened Cream, Fresh Cream, Chocolate Flavoured Milk, Iced Coffee, and Strawberry Flavoured Milk. These are manufactured at the company's Wagga Wagga factory and supplied to retail stockists and foodservice customers. In March 2026, Riverina Fresh expanded into fermented dairy through the acquisition of Babushka's Kefir. The company also operates a foodservice distribution business supplying approximately 300 SKUs to NSW customers and 200 SKUs to VIC customers, including plant-based milks, juices, syrups, smallgoods, cheese, butter, and other café products from third-party brands.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Babushka's Kefir: Australian kefir yoghurt brand acquired by Riverina Fresh in March 2026. Known for traditional fermentation, product integrity, authenticity and great taste with established distribution through major supermarket channels.

Products and services

• Full Cream Milk Premium full-bodied fresh milk with rich mouthfeel, designed for consistent performance in coffee, drinking, and cooking. Manufactured by Riverina Fresh and sold to retail and foodservice customers.
• Lactose Free Full Cream Milk Easy-to-digest lactose-free milk with naturally sweet, full-bodied flavour. Made by adding lactase enzyme to break down lactose into simpler sugars. Sold to retail and foodservice customers including cafés requiring lactose-intolerant-friendly barista performance.
• Light Milk Low-fat milk delivering smooth, full-body flavour without compromising quality or performance. Sold to retail and foodservice customers.
• Skim Milk Fat-free milk packed with natural vitamins and minerals, ideal for health-conscious consumers who value quality and taste.
• Gold Milk Premium milk for coffee developed in partnership with roasters and baristas, including Sasa Sestic. Higher fat content delivers smooth and silky mouthfeel complementing darker, stronger coffee roasts.
• Thickened Cream Premium quality cream with smooth, luscious texture for pouring, whipping, or enriching culinary dishes. Contains minimum 35% milk fat.
• Fresh Cream Pure, natural-tasting cream with smooth, luscious texture for pouring, whipping, or enriching dishes. Winner of the 2025 Melbourne Royal award.
• Chocolate Flavoured Milk Rich, velvety chocolate flavoured milk made with premium Riverina Fresh milk.
• Iced Coffee Ready-to-drink iced coffee balanced with Riverina Fresh milk, crafted for clean, consistent flavour.
• Strawberry Flavoured Milk Light, refreshing strawberry flavoured milk made with reduced-fat Riverina Fresh milk.
• Babushka's Kefir Australian kefir yoghurt brand acquired by Riverina Fresh in March 2026, recognised for traditional fermentation, product integrity, authenticity and taste, with distribution through major supermarket channels.
• Riverina Fresh Foodservice Distribution Full foodservice distribution service supplying cafés, restaurants, hotels, and commercial kitchens across NSW/ACT and VIC. Offers approximately 300 SKUs to NSW customers and 200 SKUs to VIC customers, including dairy, plant-based milks, juices, syrups, cheese, butter, bacon, smallgoods, yoghurts, and other café-specific products from third-party brands. Consolidated ordering via the Ordermentum platform with real-time delivery tracking.

Quantifiable outcome

• Lactose Free milk scored 19.5 out of 20 at Australian Grand Dairy Awards 2025, named Grand Champion Dairy Product — first lactose free milk to win in 27-year history.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Australian Specialty Coffee Association (ASCA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Riverina Fresh is Naming Rights Partner of the 2026/27 ASCA Latte Art Championship and official dairy milk and cream sponsor for Barista and Coffee In Good Spirits competitions. The partnership provides fresh white milk and cream across ASCA's Community Coffee Championships and National Australian Coffee Championship programs, supporting baristas and competition success.
• Babushka's KefircoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 March 2026Riverina Fresh acquired Babushka's Kefir business in March 2026. Babushka's is an Australian kefir yoghurt manufacturer based in Botany, NSW, recognised for its differentiated kefir range and leading brand position in the fast-growing nutrition-focused functional and fermented foods segment. All employees transitioned to Riverina Fresh. The acquisition brings together two Australian dairy businesses with shared commitment to quality and brand building.
• AFL RiverinacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 January 2026Riverina Fresh is Major Partner of AFL Riverina football and netball competitions, having supported the organisation for three years with a renewed three-year commitment. The partnership supports all senior competitions and is central to the company's local community engagement in the Riverina region.
• The Espresso Lab (Dubai)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2025Australian specialty milk supplied to The Espresso Lab in Dubai for the UAE National Barista Championship 2025. Barista Aldy Nugroho won the championship using Riverina Fresh Gold milk paired with Panamanian coffee from Kai Janson. This was the first time an Australian barista champion was supported with fresh Australian milk at an international competition.
• OrdermentumcoreTechnology or IntegrationOnline ordering platform partnership enabling cafés to browse products, place and manage orders, track deliveries, and process payments. Ordermentum integration streamlines ordering for Riverina Fresh customers with features including standing orders, automatic payments, and real-time delivery tracking.
• Ona Coffee / Sasa SesticminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRiverina Fresh collaborated with 2015 World Barista Champion Sasa Sestic to develop Gold Milk — a higher fat milk specifically crafted for barista use to complement darker, stronger coffee roasts with a rich, creamy mouthfeel.
• The Espresso Lab / Ibrahim Al MallouhiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Espresso Lab Founder Ibrahim Al Mallouhi first encountered Riverina Fresh at the 2022 World Barista Championship in Melbourne and subsequently sourced the milk for UAE competition use. The milk's natural sweetness was pivotal in Aldy Nugroho winning UAE Barista Champion 2025.
• Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerKey industry event in Melbourne supported by Riverina Fresh. The annual expo provides the Sydney and Melbourne sales teams with opportunity to connect directly with key partners, customers, and the broader specialty coffee community.
• CafeSmartminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual campaign raising awareness of homelessness in Australia that Riverina Fresh supports alongside the coffee community. Reflects the company's commitment to giving back to the industry and communities it serves.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Fonterra Australia: Australian arm of New Zealand dairy cooperative Fonterra; former owner of Riverina Fresh (acquired in 2005, exited 2016). Major national fluid milk, cheese, and ingredient competitor with deep foodservice relationships.
• Saputo Dairy Australia: Subsidiary of Canadian dairy giant Saputo Inc., operating major brands including Pauls, Farmers Union, and Devondale across fluid milk, cheese, and yoghurt. Overlaps with Riverina Fresh across all dairy categories and competes in both retail and foodservice channels nationally.
• Bega Cheese: ASX-listed diversified dairy and food company producing cheese, milk, butter, and yoghurt with national distribution. Competes with Riverina in fluid milk and broader dairy categories, particularly in supermarket channels across NSW and VIC.
• Lactalis Australia (Parmalat): Australian arm of global dairy giant Lactalis, producing fluid milk, cream, cheese, and yoghurt under brands including Pauls and Ice Break. Direct national-scale competitor across the same fluid milk and flavoured milk categories.
• Bulla Dairy Foods: Australian family-owned dairy company producing cream, ice cream, flavoured milk, and yoghurt. Directly overlaps with Riverina Fresh across cream and flavoured milk categories with national distribution.

Direct peers

• Norco: Australian farmer-owned dairy cooperative operating a regional manufacturing and foodservice distribution model similar to Riverina Fresh, with overlapping fluid milk, cream, and flavoured milk product lines targeting cafés and retail. Comparable in scale, ownership structure, and regional foodservice focus.
• Brownes Dairy: Western Australia-based regional dairy manufacturer producing fluid milk, cream, and flavoured milks for retail and foodservice. Closely comparable as an independently operated regional dairy competing against national incumbents on quality and local sourcing.
• Maleny Dairies: Queensland regional dairy manufacturer producing premium fluid milk, flavoured milk, and cream with a strong café and specialty coffee presence. Highly comparable in product mix, regional premium positioning, and barista-targeted products.

Emerging players

• Paris Creek Farms: Australian organic dairy manufacturer producing fluid milk, yoghurt, cheese, and butter with a premium, health-focused positioning. Comparable to Riverina Fresh's premium and award-winning product positioning, particularly in lactose-free and specialty SKUs.
• Jalna Dairy Foods: Australian yoghurt manufacturer with a strong premium, natural, and probiotic positioning. Increasingly comparable following Riverina's Babushka's Kefir acquisition, as both compete in the functional/fermented yoghurt segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/riverinafresh
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• Instagraminstagram.com/riverinafresh
• Xx.com/Riverina_Fresh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Riverina Fresh