One of the oldest hop producers in the world will double the size of its production in regional Victoria, thanks to support from the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes said the funding would help Hop Products Australia to build a new processing facility at its 300-hectare site at Buffalo River Valley.
Construction will create 60 full-time equivalent jobs and the new facility will increase Hop Products Australia's export capabilities by $16 million once finished.
Hop Products Australia has been growing hops in regional Victoria since the late 1800s on its 300-hectare site near Myrtleford, where it currently employs 22 full-time-equivalent staff.
Through those crops produced at Rostrevor Hop Gardens at Eurobin, a farm in Tasmania and through selected growers, Hop Products Australia produces 90 per cent of all hops grown in Australia. This accounts for around 1 per cent of the world's total production of hops.
The company's operations also include research and development, pelleting and packaging, helping it to become a key supplier for local craft breweries across regional Victoria while also supplying major brands including Carlton & United Breweries and Lion.
Hop Products Australia has significant presence in overseas markets as major exporters to the United States and Europe and growing sales into Canada and Japan.
This has established it as a global leader in brewery markets, helping link regional Victorian produce to the world.
Funding for the project has come from the Regional Jobs Fund - Investment Attraction program, helping regional Victoria attract new investment and create jobs, and businesses to become more competitive.
The four-year project involves a total investment from Hops Product Australia of $26 million, with construction of the processing facility expected to begin in March.
As noted by Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes
"Following the bushfires, economic recovery through jobs created from projects like this are key to ensuring that the north east thrives - I applaud Hop Products Australia for their commitment to regional Victoria."
"Victoria has a rich and diverse agricultural sector, and we're supporting our producers to improve market opportunities across the state and Australia, and the world."