The Yoghurt Shop aiming to add another 40 full time equivalent staff and quadruple its production capacity

From its humble beginnings in the Adelaide Central Market, an SA dairy powerhouse is set to add another 40 full time equivalent staff to quadruple its production capacity.

Trade Minister Joe Szakacs, cheese maker and exporter Kris Lloyd AM, and the Yoghurt Shop's Brandon Reynolds at Central Market. A significant increase in South Australia's dairy exports to the world, as a key trade program is extended. Picture Dean Martin

A South Australian yoghurt business is looking to quadruple its production capacity as dairy exports soar, experiencing 23 per cent growth - with a net value in excess of $150 million dollars per year.

Starting as a single stall at the Adelaide Central Markets, The Yoghurt Shop currently employs 71 people, with its expansion expected to add another 40 full time equivalent staff.

Chief operating officer Brandon Reynolds said exports were the biggest driver of growth for their business, with the company experiencing around 40 per cent year on year growth.

“When we think about the future, the opportunities in China, in the Middle East, Australia as a market is 25 million people, China is a billion, The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is 100 million,” he said.

The Yoghurt Shop currently employs 71 people, with its expansion expected to add another 40 full time equivalent staff with exports being the biggest driver. Picture Dean Martin

“That means we’re going to need more capacity.”

It comes as the state government announced it would extend its funding of the TradeStart program until 2028 - a program co-funded by the federal government that’s aimed at helping Australian businesses penetrate foreign export markets.

The Yoghurt Shop has been working with TradeStart advisers for around seven years, having secured the export of its products into the Middle East within the last three months while recently launching in Beijing.

And while Mr Reynolds says having a great product is fundamental to their success, the support from TradeStart has helped.

“The product alone is not all that it takes,” he said.

“The South Australian government staff, both here and offshore, made connections and the introductions that we needed to be in the room with the right people and with credibility.”

Meanwhile, Minister for Trade and Investment Joe Szakacs said diversification of export markets was a key component of the program.

“We’ve seen the challenges that a single market focus has presented historically,” he said.

The success of our exports is about diversification, whilst also recognising that the strength of ongoing long term relationships into markets like Japan, like China, like the US, provides security for some of our long term exporters as well.”

Cheese maker and exporter Kris Lloyd AM, and the Yoghurt Shop's Brandon Reynolds at Central Market. Picture Dean Martin

And while artisanal products are finding their way into foreign markets in larger numbers, Mr Szakacs said it would not affect the domestic supply of dairy and subsequently its price.

“Exports don’t drive the price at all,” he said.

“We’ve got $150 million worth of dairy exports a year.

“That’s a drop in the ocean compared to domestic production.

“What we see going off to the world, particularly in dairy, is premium products: premium cheese, premium milk, premium yoghurt.

“We have a huge amount of supply that’s guaranteed for the domestic market.”

Mr Reynolds agreed, saying if anything, the new found demand would help dairy producers who have been struggling over the past few years.

“Last year was pretty good, this year with some of the uncertainty around the global price of milk we’ve seen some of the South Australian big producers in a bit of trouble, so it means there’s gonna be lots of milk around,” he said.

“So we’re hoping to use that supply to turn it into high value dairy.”