New Report: Made & Grown — The Future of Food Biotechnology & Biomanufacturing in Australia

A new report, Made & Grown – The future of food biotechnology & biomanufacturing in Australia calls on the Australian Government to act with urgency to capitalise on a once-in-a-generation opportunity to leverage Australia’s existing competitive advantage and build sovereign capability in food biotechnology and biomanufacturing.

Developed through a collaboration between Cellular Agriculture Australia (CAA), ANU Agrifood Innovation Institute (AFII), Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), and the ANU National Security College (NSC), the white paper centralises the role of food security in safeguarding national security and positions food biotechnologies and biomanufacturing as critical to this objective.

The report is timely, coming as the Australian Government is actively developing the Feeding Australia national food security strategy, which just wrapped its first round of public consultation. This represents a unique window of opportunity to showcase how biotechnology and biomanufacturing can diversify and strengthen the resilience of Australia’s agrifood system.

The white paper builds on insights from the landmark Made & Grown – The Future of Food conference in Canberra in August 2025, which, notably, featured Martijn Wilder AM, Chair of the National Reconstruction Fund, as a guest speaker. It outlines 25 recommendations to the Australian Government and the sector to accelerate the commercialisation and adoption of emerging food biotechnologies. Recommendations span five priority areas: national security, policy, regulation, research, and infrastructure.

“This paper takes a whole-of-sector view of food biotechnology and biomanufacturing — looking beyond individual technologies like plant synthetic biology, precision fermentation or cell cultivation. It shows how these innovations are converging across the food system to enhance traditional agriculture, create new value-added opportunities for traditional agriculture, and build entirely new food production systems,” said Owen Atkin, Director, ANU Agrifood Innovation Institute.

The report argues that investment in food biotechnology is not just an economic or environmental opportunity, but a strategic imperative — critical to de-risking supply chains, diversifying food production, and ensuring Australia’s long-term resilience in a rapidly shifting global landscape.

"In an era of climate shocks, biosecurity threats, and rising geopolitical risk, building sovereign capacity to produce, process, and innovate food domestically is essential to reduce vulnerabilities, de-risk supply chains, and strengthen Australia’s regional resilience. Food security is national security - and to remain resilient, Australia must embrace the role of biotechnology to diversify its agrifood system," said Raelene Lockhorst, Deputy Director National Security Programs, Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

According to the report, Australia is exceptionally well-placed to lead in the fast-growing global market for biomanufactured foods, thanks to strong sectoral momentum and a mix of natural and built advantages, including globally recognised food safety and quality standards, abundant high-quality feedstock, and robust cross-disciplinary research capability.

Dr Sam Perkins, CEO, Cellular Agriculture Australia, said: “Australia has the ingredients to lead in food biotechnology and biomanufacturing - but we are losing ground to global competitors and the window of opportunity is closing. The government must act now in recognition of the critical role that food biotechnology can play in building sovereign capability that underpins both Australia’s food and national security.”

Going forward, this white paper will guide CAA’s ongoing policy and advocacy efforts to ensure the Australian Government recognises food biomanufacturing and biotechnologies as critical to Australia’s national security, economic resilience, and long-term strategic interests.

Download the white paper here: www.cellularagricultureaustralia.org/publications/made-grown-future-food 

About the authors: 

Cellular Agriculture Australia (CAA) is a registered Australian not-for-profit and the leading advocacy organisation for the cellular agriculture sector in Australia. CAA works to accelerate innovation, shape fit-for-purpose regulation, and foster public understanding and trust in cellular agriculture — including cultivated meat, precision fermentation, and other emerging food technologies.

ANU Agrifood Innovation Institute (AFII) aims to accelerate transformative innovation to future-proof the Australian agrifood system by connecting the Australian National University community with industry and entrepreneurs.

ANU National Security College (NSC) is a joint initiative of The Australian National University and Commonwealth Government. NSC offers specialist graduate studies, professional and executive education, futures analysis, and a national platform for trusted and independent policy dialogue.

Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) is an independent, non-partisan think tank that delivers expert analysis and practical advice on defence, national security, and strategic policy. Established to inform government, industry, and the public, ASPI provides rigorous, evidence-based insights that shape Australia’s understanding of its strategic environment.