McCain to close potato processing plant in South Australia
Food manufacturing company McCain Foods has announced it will close its potato processing plant in Penola, South Australia, by 20 December 2013.
The closure will see 59 permanent employees lose their jobs. McCain Foods said the employees will be offered redundancy packages.
McCain Foods said rising input costs, such as labour and electricity, and high material costs coupled with surplus capacity, contributed to the closure decision. According to the Company, imports of cheaper processed potatoes have risen from 10,000 tonnes in 2002 to a decade-high of 130,000 tonnes at the end of 2012.
“At the same time, Australia has one of the highest raw material costs in the world, which is unsustainable in the long term,” said Louis Wolthers, McCain Foods Regional President Australia New Zealand and South Africa. “Cheaper potato imports are seriously threatening the future of the processing industry in Australia, and will place further cost pressures on Australia’s growers,” he said.
“Major food industry companies in Australia would welcome any Federal and State Government support to address the structural issues in order for the potato industry to be more competitive,” Mr Wolthers said. “This step is not a reflection on the performance of the workforce, but is influenced by the rising costs of manufacturing in Australia,” he said.
AusVeg concerned about fate of potato growers
AusVeg, the national representative body for Australian potato and vegetable growers, has expressed “dismay” at the closure, and concern for what will happen to potato growers who had supplied the plant.
“What remains unclear is how potato growers who supply the plant will be looked after by McCain if their contracts are cut,” said William Churchill, AusVeg Public Affairs Manager. “It is hoped that all efforts are made by McCain to continue sourcing potatoes from these Penola growers and making them into chips in Ballarat,” he said.
“We would like to see McCain outline packages to assist affected growers in both the short and long term, including logistical support to see these potatoes processed at other McCain facilities, such as the one in Ballarat,” Mr Churchill said.
According to AusVeg, growers who supply the Penola facility only heard of the closure on the radio.
“McCain shouldn’t have waited until now to tell growers who have already sown their seed for the season,” Mr Churchill said.
History of the Penola plant
McCain Foods acquired the Safries plant at Penola in 1992. The plant was built around 1986.
The Company said the majority of potatoes from Penola are processed in Ballarat, and sold in Queensland and New South Wales.
McCain Foods said it was committed to continuing its operations in Victoria, Tasmania, and New South Wales, where the Company recently acquired frozen dessert manufacturing company Sara Lee.
McCain Foods will continue to process potatoes at plants in Smithton, Tasmania and Ballarat.
The plant closure at Penola is not the first time this year that McCain Foods has faced troubles in its potato processing business. Australian Food News reported in June 2013 that the Company had announced it would not renew supply contracts with four potato growers in the Ballarat region.
Australians have to demand Australian potatoes. Wake up.
The Dutch imports are everywhere as they are cheaper. Ask your local chippy, pub cafe which potatoes they use and demand Australian .
Demanding to buy Australian is too much to ask of consumers who are forced to pay higher prices for Australian foods. Many of these consumers are struggling themselves to keep above the water line and will gravitate to the lower priced items. Likewise, retailers will source their products from the cheapest possible wholesaler. Once again, these guys are doing it tough and margins a slim.
Industries need to be asking themselves, why imported produce from halfway around the world, is half the price of the Australian made product.
The answer to buying Australian lays in this answer.
Ansari Enterprises:
Ansari Enterprises is a fresh fruits, vegetables exporting company, which also devoted to growing its own fruit, and committed to supply high quality products to international markets on a permanent basis. We have a long – term commitment to excellence, both in products and service. The adoption of new technology and expertise is directed to meet the latest requirements of the international markets in a timely manner. Our fruit and vegetable exports are characterized their consistency and excellence.
Driving our business to serve client’s needs is an absolute priority. We will continue to build on our core capabilities while researching the innovative methods that will shape our company for the years to come. The one aspect that is for sure is that we will go extra miles to keep us qualitatively ahead in the industry, because at Ansari Enterprises we have a passion for quality. We provide the best quality for our Royal Customers. “The best for the best.”