Glasshouse a growing business

By Fiona Lloyd

Jul 22, 2022

Flavorite chief operating officer Chris Millis. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

About 4000 tonne of large truss tomatoes will be grown at the Tatura site. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Victorian Regional Development Minister Harriet Shing, Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas and State Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp at the glasshouse opening. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Flavorite is now the largest glasshouse producer of fresh fruit and vegetables in the country thanks to the addition of a six-hectare glasshouse at its Tatura site.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

The new glasshouse is seven metres high and uses world-leading technology to control sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, temperature and pests.

The latest construction takes Flavorite’s total production under glass across various sites — including Tatura, Mansfield and Warragul — from 58ha to 64ha.

Flavorite marketing and communications manager Tom Millis said there were now 15ha under glass at Tatura, with 9500 tonnes of fresh produce expected to be produced this year.

Continental cucumbers, snack cucumbers, mini Roma tomatoes and large truss tomatoes are grown at the site.

The large truss tomatoes produce around 4000 tonne of fruit a year, with tomatoes grown in glasshouses producing up to 11 times more than when grown in the field and using up to 80 per cent less water for the same yield.

Mr Millis said there were plans to to build a further 18ha of glasshouses on the Tatura site during the next 12 to 24 months.

“(This) will take this to a total of 33ha under glass, the same as our current farm in Warragul, south-east Gippsland,” he said.

“Once those builds are complete we will produce approximately 18,500 tonnes of fresh premium produce, depending on the product mix, a year from the Tatura site.”

Flavorite marketing and communications manager Tom Millis and Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali. Flavorite has been talking to council about recruitment and housing. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas and Regional Development Minister Harriet Shing attended the opening of the glasshouse on July 20 and commended the company on its achievements, which received support through the Victorian Government’s Victorian Business Growth Fund and Regional Jobs Fund.

The $250 million Victorian Business Growth Fund was established in partnership with Aware Super and Spirit Super in 2020 to provide support to successful small and medium businesses that are ready to grow and take the next step.

Investments are made by independent fund manager Roc Partners.

The Regional Jobs Fund helps businesses create jobs in regional Victoria, supports community projects and backs councils to build the infrastructure that locals and visitors need.

“We provide funds to back dynamic companies like Flavorite because they grow jobs and provide significant benefits for the local economy through the supply chain,” Mr Pallas said.

“It’s fantastic to see the commitment and world-leading technology being harnessed in Tatura, providing jobs and opportunities now and into the future.”

Another 60 jobs are expected to be created as a result of the expansion, but like most businesses, attracting staff is a challenge.

Mr Millis said Flavorite had been talking to Greater Shepparton City Council on how to attract workers as well as almost a greater challenge of finding housing for the growing workforce.

“We are looking for all types of people and really look for a great attitude, a willingness to learn and a good work ethic, as a lot of what we do can be learnt on the job and Flavorite provides all the training,” he said.

“Not only that, we have attractive bonuses and incentives paid for high productivity.”

He encouraged people looking for a change or a career in agriculture to visit the careers page at flavorite.com.au