Arnott's latest supermarket drop: Why these 'new' biscuits look so familiar

Arnott's Australia just dropped a 'brand new' biscuit range on supermarket shelves this week, but if you're an IGA regular or a New Zealander, you might be feeling a serious case of déjà vu.

The fresh arrivals are hitting the aisles under the name Arnott's Cookies, boasting six different flavours. But hold the milk.

Fans are already pointing out that these 'new' treats look like a carbon copy of the cult-classic Arnott's Farmbake range.

For those not in the loop, Farmbake has been a pantry staple since 1992, though it's usually tucked away in independent grocers like IGA or across the Tasman in New Zealand.

An Arnott's Australia spokesperson has told nine.com.au: "Arnott's has a number of cookie ranges designed to suit different shopper needs, budgets and where people shop.

"While the flavour profiles within the ranges may feel familiar, each range is developed as part of our broader portfolio to offer choice depending on what shoppers are looking for."

They said this latest Arnott's Cookies range is "positioned as a great-value, everyday option available in Coles and Woolworths, while our Farmbake range has been in market for many years and is available through independent retailers like IGA".

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"We also have Premier Cookies, which are a more indulgent option with a higher chocolate content for those looking for a richer treat."

They said there are no plans to replace the Arnott's Farmbake range with the newer Arnott's Cookies range.

"Ranging across independent retailers (including IGA) is determined at a store level," they added.

This latest Arnott's Cookies range includes six flavours, however not all of them are available at one single retailer.

So far you can get the Arnott's Triple Choc and Butter Shortbread Cookies at Coles, and the Arnott's Choc Chip, Fudge Choc Chip, White Choc Chip, and Fruit & Oat at Woolies.

The Coles Triple Choc and Butter Shortbread Cookies come in 400g bags that cost $4 each.

The Woolies Choc Chip, Fudge Choc Chip, White Choc Chip, and Fruit & Oat come in 350g bags and are $3.50.

The Arnott's Farmbake range is more expensive, selling for $5-$5.90 for a 310g pack at IGA.

The driver behind the release of Arnott's Farmbake Cookies in 1992 is thought to have been increased international competition in the cookie space.

Farmbake allowed Arnott's to tap into the lucrative cookies space, in particular home-style choc chip cookies favoured in the US.

The company's core range includes sweet biscuits and cream-filled classics, created with Australia's British heritage in mind.

Arnott's Group was founded in 1865 by William Arnott, and its first biscuit factory was in Newcastle.

Arnott's was bought out by the Campbell Soup Company in 1997 before being sold to American global private investment company Kohlberg Kravis Roberts in 2019, of which it is now a subsidiary.

Despite the company's foreign ownership, most Arnott's biscuits are still made in Australia at factories in Sydney, Adelaide, and Brisbane.

The biggest Arnott's factory is in Huntingwood in Western Sydney, which is where the iconic Tim Tam range is made.

The company also has production facilities in New Zealand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

Arnott's remains the largest producer of biscuits in Australia.

One of its first biscuits was the Milk Arrowroot, followed by Milk Coffee and Ginger Nut.

These were followed by Iced Vovo, and Scotch Finger.

Kate Bean, Category & Marketing Director for ANZ Snacking at Arnott's said the new Arnott's Cookies range has been designed to bring together "everything people love about a great cookie: familiar flavours, plenty of delicious inclusions, and a moment of joy in every bite".

"It's the kind of cookie you want in the pantry at all times, ready to go for whatever the day brings."

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