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A state-of-the art oyster factory, owned by Biomarine in Warkworth, was officially opened by the Prime Minister John Key today (November 13).
The 1200m2 facility, developed by local Pacific oyster producer Biomarine, is the first new oyster factory in New Zealand in a decade and took 12 months to build at an investment of $5 million.
It can process up to 24 million oysters a season and will ultimately create 50 new jobs,
“It is an investment in the future of our business, and a strong show of confidence in the growth potential of our industry,” Biomarine director Jim Dollimore said. “New Zealand’s pristine, nutrient rich waters produce some of the best oysters in the world – and the world can’t get enough of them.
“Last year the industry exported $15 million of Pacific oysters. But the opportunity to grow that is unlimited as international demand far outstrips what we are currently able to supply.
“The collective oyster industry’s goal is to reach $100 million in revenue by 2025, and our new factory will help Biomarine and the collective industry grow towards this goal.”
The factory has already created 10 new jobs, processing 15,000 dozen oysters a week and will be scaled up to process 30,000 dozen a week over the next four years, with the potential to process two million dozen a year at full capacity.
The majority of the oysters will be sourced from farms in the Mahurangi River and Kaipara Harbour, the largest harbour in the southern hemisphere, and exported to countries across Europe, North America, Asia and the Pacific – with new markets emerging in the Middle East.
Biomarine has pioneered world-first aquaculture techniques to create New Zealand’s single largest oyster farm using only eco-friendly materials.
“It’s was our ambition to create the world’s most sustainable oyster farm,” Jim said.
The 1200m2 facility, developed by local Pacific oyster producer Biomarine, is the first new oyster factory in New Zealand in a decade and took 12 months to build at an investment of $5 million.
It can process up to 24 million oysters a season and will ultimately create 50 new jobs,
“It is an investment in the future of our business, and a strong show of confidence in the growth potential of our industry,” Biomarine director Jim Dollimore said. “New Zealand’s pristine, nutrient rich waters produce some of the best oysters in the world – and the world can’t get enough of them.
“Last year the industry exported $15 million of Pacific oysters. But the opportunity to grow that is unlimited as international demand far outstrips what we are currently able to supply.
“The collective oyster industry’s goal is to reach $100 million in revenue by 2025, and our new factory will help Biomarine and the collective industry grow towards this goal.”
The factory has already created 10 new jobs, processing 15,000 dozen oysters a week and will be scaled up to process 30,000 dozen a week over the next four years, with the potential to process two million dozen a year at full capacity.
The majority of the oysters will be sourced from farms in the Mahurangi River and Kaipara Harbour, the largest harbour in the southern hemisphere, and exported to countries across Europe, North America, Asia and the Pacific – with new markets emerging in the Middle East.
Biomarine has pioneered world-first aquaculture techniques to create New Zealand’s single largest oyster farm using only eco-friendly materials.
“It’s was our ambition to create the world’s most sustainable oyster farm,” Jim said.
“Through a combination of unprecedented aquaculture techniques and exemplary farm and water management principles we believe we have become the new benchmark for sustainable oyster production.”
On the eve of his departure for Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia for a series of meetings aimed at boosting New Zealand’s trade, political and security links in the region, Mr Key congratulated Biomarine on its investment in future-proofing its business.
He said it was well-placed to take advantage of a number of trade agreements NZ has recently signed, including the TTPA.
On the eve of his departure for Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia for a series of meetings aimed at boosting New Zealand’s trade, political and security links in the region, Mr Key congratulated Biomarine on its investment in future-proofing its business.
He said it was well-placed to take advantage of a number of trade agreements NZ has recently signed, including the TTPA.
