Cobram abattoir reopens

Facility workers and their families enjoyed their day in the sun in Barooga with dancing and food.

JBS Foods Australia Southern chief executive Sam McConnell hopes the company’s reopening in Cobram will boost the local economy.

“JBS Australia is proud to reopen its Cobram facility to support jobs and economic growth in the local community.”

The reopened facility is currently staffed with 150 employees, and management hopes it can build that number to 350 as production is scaled up.

Approximately 100 members of the current workforce hail from the Solomon Islands.

JBS has spent the past few months actively recruiting local Cobram workers for roles required at the plant with the goal of sourcing as many locals as possible.

However, the company is also using overseas workers under the Federal Government's Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme to fill gaps.

The plant will process lambs and goats for the domestic market and North America, the Middle East, Asia and Europe.

The company said there had been a growing demand for lamb, goat and mutton proteins both in Australia and overseas.

The Cobram plant will operate five days a week, with a capacity to process up to 4000 head of livestock per day.

JBS has invested roughly $20 million in the latest processing and safety technologies.

“Today’s changed market conditions and increasing demand for lamb products has allowed us to invest in this fit-for-purpose facility, which will partner with local businesses and livestock producers to deliver Australian lamb, mutton and goat to domestic and international consumers,” Mr McConnell said.

For those seeking employment there are a number of roles that remain available at the plant and JBS is encouraging residents from the local communities to apply.

The plant was last operational in 2017 and has been in care and maintenance mode since, consistent with the company’s objective to reopen it once market conditions supported its sustainable operation.