South Australia will invest $2.5 million in a state-of-the-art cheese processing facility which will create more than 60 new jobs and boost dairy production in the Murray and Mallee.
Beston Pure Dairies, in Murray Bridge, received the grant from the Regional Development Fund. This will help the company expand from producing bulk commodity-based cheeses into a premium cheese and dairy producer for domestic and export markets.
The $25 million factory transformation will also create 24 jobs during construction.
Agriculture Minister Leon Bignell said the new facility will produce cheeses which will help create demand for additional milk from dairy farmers and a positive flow-on effect for the dairy industry and the regional economy.
“For someone born and bred on a dairy farm I know how hard it can be for dairy farmers. As a Government we want the industry to know we have their interests at heart and we will do everything we can to help them,” said Bignell.
Beston Pure Dairies owns and operates dairy processing facilities in Murray Bridge and Jervois. It is a subsidiary company of Beston Global Food Company.
Dr Roger Sexton, chairman of Beston Global Food Company, said Beston’s objective is to become a producer of a diverse range of premium dairy products for both local and export markets.
“With support from the Regional Development Fund, we will be able to create a state-of-the-art facility and expand our range of cheeses to include Mozzarella, Gruyere and Parmesan as well as the production of soft cream cheese,” said Sexton.
