Olive oil flavours Goulburn Valley with new jobs
14/09/2023A third-generation olive farm in the Goulburn Valley is growing their production of close to 200 olive oil food and skincare products, creating new jobs in the state’s food bowl thanks to support from the Victorian Government.
Minister for Regional Development Harriet Shing has announced support for the expansion of Rich Glen, a large family owned and operated olive farm in Yarrawonga in the state’s north east. The investment will increase the company’s production of natural olive oil products, creating up to 20 new jobs for locals.
The expansion will add to Rich Glen’s production of more than 200,000 litres of premium extra virgin olive oil each year, cultivated through their current planting of more than 36,000 olive trees.
Rich Glen grow, pick, press and bottle a range of more than 170 natural olive oil products at their farm which are distributed Australia-wide. Products are available at their retail store in Yarrawonga, direct from their website, at selected major supermarkets and in luxury hotels.
Its products range from oils, dressings, meat rubs, sauces, and jams to an extensive range of premium home and skincare goods including candles, scents and face, body, hair and baby products.
The investment includes the development of a new manufacturing line, with the purchase of new equipment from local suppliers to increase manufacturing capacity and provide more space for production, packing and storage.
New technology will support an increase in production and contribute to more efficient operations including improved packaging and product quality controls to increase supply to existing and new markets.
Rich Glen is also looking to invest in a greener future, with multiple solar farm locations in the planning stage.
Victoria accounts for the highest olive production in Australia, which is largely concentrated in northern Victoria where the climate is best suited for growing.
Food manufacturing is one of the biggest sectors in the Goulburn Valley, employing three times more people than the Victorian average and contributing 85 per cent of the region’s manufacturing exports valued at $640 million.
The project is part of the Victorian Government’s record investment of more than $41 billion across rural and regional Victoria since 2015.