R140-million investment into Africa’s biggest cheese factory, in Bonnievale, sustains hundreds of jobs

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.

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

The new plant represents a “significant investment of R140 million… which will support 800 jobs in Bonnievale and the surrounds”, said Minister Wenger, adding: “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.”

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.