Smart AI solutions shaping Australia's food future

Fishbowl Inventory Asia Pacific
Tuesday, 01 April, 2025

With Australia approaching a federal election in the coming months, the government is stepping up efforts to improve food security and affordability. In March 2025, the Labor Government announced a $3.5 million investment in the Feeding Australia initiative, a national strategy aimed at strengthening supply chains and reducing food price volatility.

But businesses aren’t waiting for government action alone. Across the food industry, companies are embracing AI to improve efficiency, cut waste and stay ahead of supply chain challenges. From the March 2025 report in Food Engineering Reviews, AI is reshaping food manufacturing by making processes faster and smarter.

One company leading the charge is Fishbowl, an inventory management software provider. With new AI-powered capabilities, Fishbowl is helping businesses streamline operations and reduce costs.

“As we move toward the federal election, the government’s investment in food security aligns with a broader industry shift,” said Simon Jupe, Managing Director of Fishbowl APAC. “AI is arriving at a critical time, offering businesses fresh hope to overcome operational challenges and improve efficiency across the board.”

Jupe highlighted how AI-powered inventory management reduces errors, speeds up processes and improves customer service.

“AI isn’t just the next step in technology, it’s a giant leap forward,” said Jupe. “Businesses using it are seeing real financial and operational improvements, as well as more productive teams.”

Hodo Foods cuts stockouts by 35% and lowers costs by 28% with Fishbowl AI Insights

A great example of AI’s impact is Hodo Foods, a leader in plant-based food production. As demand for sustainable and healthy food options surged, the company struggled to keep its supply chain agile. Outdated forecasting, slow reporting and supplier delays created roadblocks that affected sales and operations.

Sales and customer service held back by outdated inventory practices

Before adopting Fishbowl AI Insights, Hodo Foods often found itself short on stock, leading to missed sales and frustrated customers. Their old system relied on static reports, making it difficult to react to market changes in time. Supplier inconsistencies led to production delays, while stock imbalances caused either shortages or excessive storage costs that ate into profits.

AI-powered solutions deliver immediate impact

To fix these issues, Hodo Foods turned to Fishbowl AI Insights, which gave them real-time visibility and AI-driven decision-making. The difference was immediate.

“Fishbowl AI Insights has completely transformed how we manage inventory,” said Minh Tsai, founder of Hodo Foods. “We no longer rely on outdated reports or guesswork. With real-time data, we can optimise inventory, cut waste and improve efficiency across our operations.”

With AI-powered purchasing recommendations, Hodo Foods now orders exactly what they need, reducing waste and keeping stock levels optimal. Real-time forecasting helps them spot demand shifts before they happen. Automated work order recommendations keep production running smoothly, eliminating bottlenecks. AI-driven vendor insights mean they can anticipate supplier delays and adjust before they become a problem.

Results fuel growth and innovation

The numbers speak for themselves. Since integrating Fishbowl AI Insights, Hodo Foods has seen a 35% drop in stockouts, ensuring products are always available. Their reporting is now 70% faster, allowing for smarter, real-time decision-making. Plus, they've cut inventory costs by 28%, freeing up capital for growth.

“Since adopting Fishbowl AI Insights, we’ve been able to make better decisions, reduce waste and stay ahead of supply chain challenges,” Tsai added.