Deer processing facility operational
About 60 jobs are set to be created in Southland as a venison processing plant began operations this week.
The plant, owned by Alliance Farmers’ Produce, cost about $15.9 million and is located at the company’s site in Lorneville.
Processing of the first deer at the plant started on Monday. The slaughter-board, boning room and offal area at the plant were larger than those at Alliance’s venison processing facilities at Smithfield and the company’s former Makarewa plant.
Alliance Group chief executive David Surveyor welcomed the start of processing.
Once operating at peak capacity, it would employ about 60 people.
‘‘This investment at Lorneville reinforces the co-operative’s position as a leading and innovative processor and shows how serious we are about strengthening our presence in the deer industry,’’ Surveyor said.
Surveyor said the development of the plant reinforced the co-operative’s goal of supporting regional industry.
‘‘The opening of this plant also reflects our commitment to continuing to invest in New Zealand’s rural communities. We are proud of our Southland roots and we employ more than 2000 people in the region alone.’’
The venison being processed will come from deer farms from throughout the lower South Island.
The products are set to be exported to the northern hemisphere, including the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom.
‘‘Our goal is to increase out-of-season chilled consumption while at the same time continue to grow sales of our seasonal chilled venison.’’
A ribbon-cutting-ceremony is expected to be held in December.