FOOD and grocery manufacturing is crucial to regional Australia, employing nearly 40 per cent of the sector’s 280,000 strong workforce.
Greater Shepparton stands out as a key player, transforming locally sourced agricultural products into trusted Australian brands.
Tuesday, September 3, the Committee for Greater Shepparton (C4GS) and the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) hosted an event to highlight the strength of food and grocery manufacturing in Greater Shepparton, dubbed the “Food Bowl of Australia”.
From dairy products and canned fruits to instant soups and liquid fabric softeners, the region’s diverse output reflects its strong and manufacturing base.
“Greater Shepparton’s impact goes beyond producing fresh local produce. It’s about transforming products from farm to supermarket shelf through manufacturing. This is now the lifeblood of the region’s economy and employment,” said C4GS CEO, Linda Nieuwenhuizen.
“We’re excited about our partnership with AFGC to showcase how essential food and grocery manufacturing is to our region, Victoria, and the nation.”
Data released at the event revealed:
Largest manufacturing sector: Food and grocery is the largest manufacturing sector of the Greater Shepparton region, which includes Moira, Shepparton and Campaspe.
Economic contribution: the sector generates more than $3 billion annually.
Employment impact: it accounts for 66.5 per cent of total manufacturing jobs in the region.
Product dominance: Dairy manufacturing represents 52 per cent of the sector while fruit and vegetable processing accounts for 22 per cent.
Greater Shepparton, producing about 25 per cent of Victoria’s agricultural output, excels in transforming local produce into a wide range of products, bolstering both employment and the broader economy. The sector, however, faces national challenges, including the need for a skilled workforce, energy security and resilient supply chains.
As the world moves to a lower carbon economy, substantial investment will be needed to drive clean energy and circular economy transitions and to adopt digital technologies to maintain global competitiveness.
We call on the government to back our regions like Greater Shepparton through an investment tax incentive to enhance the future capability of this vital industry, ensuring it continues to sustain Australian jobs and the economy.
The Future Made in Australia policy is one way the government can unlock the manufacturing power of its regions.
“Manufacturing is important, but we can’t take it for granted. Today’s data highlights the significant size and importance of the food and beverage industry, but it also underscores the need for future investment to keep this sector competitive and robust,” said AFGC CEO Tanya Barden.
“The government has a golden opportunity to leverage Australia’s natural agricultural endowments by supporting regions that process them into products.”
