GEN apples

Victorian grower-packer-exporter JV Orchards will invest $900,000 in expanding its Cobram facilities in northern Victoria.

The apple, pear and stonefruit producer will invest in new fruit handling and packing facilities, including cold storage, and hire 14 additional staff to boost its productivity and increase its export potential, particularly during the peak Chinese New Year period.

The Victorian state government has assisted JV Orchards with the investment through its A$500m Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund.

Victorian minister for agriculture and regional development, Jaala Pulford, said in a statement released 24 May that the expansion was a “terrific example of a family owned Victorian agribusiness seeking to capitalise on the insatiable demand from Asia for our quality produce”.

JV Orchards was established in 1992, supplying local supermarkets in Australia as well as markets in South East Asia.