The Clandeboye plant on New Zealand's South Island now produces enough mozzarella cheese to top more than 300m pizzas a year, dairy cooperative Fonterra said today.
It announced plans in October 2013 to invest NZ$72m (US$54m, €47m) to double capacity at its Clandeboye site to produce IQF grated mozzarella.
Fonterra said then the additional capacity was required to meet growing international demand.
In today's statement, Fonterra said IQF grated mozzarella produced at the new plant is destined for pizza and pasta restaurant chains across China, Asia and the Middle East.
“We’re seeing the popularity of cheese really take off in Asia, so the timing of this upgrade couldn’t be better,” said Steve McKnight, site manager at Clandeboye.
“To meet orders from that market, we will be producing cheese 24 hours a day, making use of our new lines and taking winter milk from our farmers in Canterbury, Southland and Otago,” he added.
The investment has created 25 new positions at the site.