Olam opens $60 million almond processing plant

Olam International has opened a $60 million almond hulling and processing plant in Carwarp, Victoria. The 12,000 m² facility is reportedly the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.

The plant is expected to de-hull and shell 14 tonnes of almonds per hour and employ approximately 19 permanent and 54 casual staff once in full production. It will feature state-of-the-art laser sorter technology to shell and hull the almonds, generating significant efficiencies and ensuring consistent product quality, traceability and food safety.

The company is minimising its environmental footprint by using modern technology. The warehouse can operate in complete darkness, reducing electricity use for lighting, while a cogeneration plant fuelled by almond hulls is also being explored.

“The plant’s total capacity will reach 40,000 MT of almond kernels each year, meeting all of our upstream orchard volumes and positioning us well to meet the rapid growth in demand for almonds in India, China, South-East Asian and Middle Eastern countries,” said Bob Dall’Alba, Olam Australia Executive Director and Country Head.