JBS Cobram plant to reopen on Monday

JBS will reopen its Cobram processing plant after a $20 million investment. Here’s what you need to know.

Victoria’s lamb and mutton sector will benefit from Monday when JBS reopens the Cobram processing plant after a $20 million investment.

The facility processes lamb, mutton and goats with a throughput of up to 4000 daily.

Initially, the plant will employ 150 people with plans to increase to 350 employees as JBS gradually upscales production.

JBS Southern chief operating officer Sam McConnell said there was increasing demand for Australian lamb, mutton and goat meat on the domestic and international market.

The plant was last operational in 2017.

At the time, the JBS Cobram abattoir plus the company’s Longford plant were closed.

Many considered the move to be permanent.

In 2017 a total of 195 workers at Cobram and 40 at Longford were affected.

Meanwhile, JBS has spent the last few months recruiting Cobram workers.

In addition, some roles will be filled by the Federal Government’s Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme.

JBS chief executive officer Brent Eastwood said the Cobram facility was a key priority for the business in meeting opportunities.

The move is set to add opportunities for nearby selling centres such as the weekly market at Corowa on Mondays.