Victorian dairy company Burra Foods is set to launch a $24.5 million expansion of its premises at Korumburra that will increase the company’s exports and create dozens of jobs across the dairy supply chain.
The project, which is supported by the Victorian State Government, includes developing an infant formula canning and packing line at Korumburra, a new building to house the upgraded canning and repacking lines, a new plant and equipment for powder handling and blending, as well as utility upgrades and new external infrastructure.
Minister for Agriculture and Regional Development Jaala Pulford described the announcement as a ‘significant new investment’ in manufacturing and value adding in the Victorian dairy industry.
“This is exactly the news the dairy industry in South Gippsland needs to hear. We welcome this huge investment from Burra Foods and are proud to play our part in helping create 39 new jobs,” the Minister said.
“This has been a difficult time for many people with the Murray Goulburn milk price shock and redundancies. It’s nice to share some positive news and have confidence about our dairy industry’s future.”
Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said Burra Foods was the largest employer in Korumburra and an important business for the South Gippsland economy.
“This is a really important investment in the Gippsland dairy industry that will provide jobs and economic returns in a sector that has done it tough over the last 18 months,” she stated.
“Our support for the industry is unwavering and I look forward to seeing more of our world class product being exported on the international stage.”
Burra Foods said the $24.5 million initiative will allow the company to export ‘consumer ready’ canned products directly to the Chinese market, removing the need to can and label offshore.
“The announcement today that we intend to proceed with the building of an infant formula blending and canning plant at Korumburra is a further sign of our confidence in the industry and our ability to succeed in the category,” reads the statement.
“Combined with increased warehousing capacity the project will generate up to an additional 39 jobs on site as we continue to build the Korumburra factory as a centre of dairy processing excellence.”
