New research shows northern Victoria as a food and grocery manufacturing “powerhouse”, generating $9.23 billion in output per year.
The research from the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) highlights the region’s food and grocery processing as the second largest contributor in terms of output and the eighth largest employer across the four Federal Victorian electorates of Mallee, Bendigo, Indi and Nicholls.
The region employs 14,221 across the food and grocery manufacturing sector. This makes it the eighth largest jobs provider in the region after healthcare and social assistance, retail trade, and education and training. The region is the second largest in terms of output behind construction.
This has helped underpin the economy of Northern Victoria, contributing to an unemployment rate of only 5.1 per cent compared to six per cent for the rest of the state.
AFGC CEO Tanya Barden comments that as the population continues to increase in northern Victoria, food and grocery processing will continue to provide important job growth and investment in the region.
“Food and grocery manufacturing in Northern Victoria continues to invest, innovate and employ locals,” she said.
“The sector relies heavily on local supply chains, purchasing $3.36 billion in goods and services from within the region.”
Ms Barden adds that Australians should be proud of their food manufacturing sector as a driver of jobs growth and a major contributor to the regional economy.
“Food and grocery manufacturing employers in northern Victoria range from major global companies like Fonterra in Stanhope, through to strong Australian brands like Beechworth Honey in Beechworth and smaller mum and dad operations,” she said.
“All these operations are dedicated to ensuring the safety and highest quality of their products.”
Key food and grocery manufactures in Northern Victoria include Fonterra, Nestlé, Unilever and Mars, among others.