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Riverland almond factory expansion

Project work is progressing on the expansion of Almondco Australia’s almond-processing plant at Renmark, after the company was recently granted nearly $390,000 from the State Government’s Regional Development Infrastructure Fund.

Regional Development Minister Paul Caica said the almond process, packaging and marketing group is spending $6 million to upgrade its facilities to become one of the most technologically advanced and efficient almond-processing factories in the world.

The $388,650 RDIF grant will contribute to the cost of power, telecommunications and site developments that will help the plant increase its production capacity and expand export markets.

Almondco processes about 40 per cent of Australia’s almond crop and has export agreements with partners in the UK, Western Europe, India, Japan, the Middle East and New Zealand. Work on its five-stage plant redevelopment has been continuing since December 2006.

The RDIF contribution to the upgrade recognises the impact the expansion will have on Almondco’s ability to increase sales, exports and staff numbers, Mr Caica said.

“Improvements to Almondco’s site help a major Riverland company become more efficient, produce more and expand sales and employment,” Mr Caica said.

“The RDIF plays a vital role in encouraging new projects and creating jobs in the Riverland and other regional communities. It plays an important role towards meeting the South Australian Strategic Plan regional targets related to employment, investment, export earnings and population growth.

“The State Government is committed to the ongoing development of these communities, investing $3 million a year in this fund alone.

“Since its inception in 1999, about $27.7 million of RDIF assistance has supported projects generating an estimated 5,470 jobs and more than $1.3 billion in total project investment,” Mr Caica said.