Big Investment into Biggest Cheese Factory in Africa

This week, the Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger, and the Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Dr Ivan Meyer, attended the official opening of the new evaporator dryer power plant facility at Lactalis South Africa’s cheese manufacturing plant in Bonnievale, Western Cape.

Speaking at the opening, Minister Wenger said: “The Western Cape Government congratulates Lactalis on the official opening of the new Evaporator Dryer Plant, representing a significant investment of R140 million and which will support 800 jobs in Bonnievale and the surrounds.”

Minister Wenger continued: “More investment into the Western Cape means more jobs for the people of the Western Cape and so we have cause for celebration with this official opening.”

Lactalis South Africa’s Bonnievale factory is the biggest cheese factory on the African continent.

The new evaporator dryer plant works to remove water from milk to produce a dry powder that has a longer shelf life, is easily transportable and which is used in a range of food products, including baked goods, confectionery, dairy products, and processed foods.

Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Dr Ivan Meyer, welcomed the investment, saying that it created business and consumer confidence.

“Agriculture is the most dominant sector in the five districts of the Western Cape. It drives the economy and creates jobs. The agriculture sector was the largest contributing subsector in the primary sector, contributing 8.7% of Cape Winelands District GDPR in 2020. Between 2016 and 2020, agriculture had an average growth rate of 0.9%.” said Minister Meyer.

He continued: “This new facility will support this growth rate and the Western Cape Government’s goal to inspire hope through growth and jobs.”

“This investment further demonstrates the continued commitment by Group Lactalis to strengthen its business in South Africa. We remain focused on finding innovative business solutions that enable the production of high-quality food products while creating employment and making a difference in communities in which we operate,” said Alban Damour, General Manager of Lactalis Southern Africa.

“We are deeply committed to working with Lactalis and other businesses to make it as easy as possible to do business and expand in the province, so we can boost economic growth and support the creation of many more jobs,” concluded Minister Wenger.