The Koroit investment forms part of a larger $127 million capital investment, announced by Devondale
Murray Goulburn Managing Director Gary Helou earlier this month.
The Koroit site – which is the largest dairy manufacturing facility in Australia – currently produces
approximately $600 million annually of premium, mainly export destined, dairy products including powders
for infant nutrition and bulk ingredients; retail butter, bulk butter, and retail milk powder.
Mr Helou said Devondale Murray Goulburn had identified the growth of nutritional products, such as infant
formula, as a significant opportunity to add value above commodity milk powders to customers in China
and South-east Asia.
“Among the products that are driving demand are nutritional milk powders, particularly baby and follow-on
formula for toddlers,” Mr Helou said.
“Global demand for infant formula is expected to increase by more than four per cent in 2017. Follow-on
formula is expected to grow by more than six percent and growing-up milk powder will exceed seven per
cent growth.”
The investment at Koroit will increase the capacity to produce these products by installing the necessary
capability on existing production lines.
It also secures sustainable, skilled jobs in the region and current staff will be trained to produce the new,
higher value-add products.
Work has already commenced on the project which is expected to be fully operational by May 2015.
“This investment supports Devondale Murray Goulburn’s journey to become the first choice dairy foods
supplier to customers and consumers in Australia and overseas, and represents an important step towards
delivering on our commitment to significantly increase underlying farmgate returns for MG suppliers,” Mr
Helou said.
