New Buffalo River Valley processing facility commissioned
Hop Products Australia | Hop Products Australia (HPA), part of the Barth Haas Group, has commissioned their new Buffalo River Valley processing facility on Wednesday 26 February 2020 ahead of the commercial hop harvest this March.
The event marks the completion of phase one of an AUD 35 million expansion that aims to increase HPA's total production to 2400 metric tonnes by 2024. HPA have now planted 150 new hectares and completed construction of the new Buffalo River Valley processing facility, which included the installation of one picker and 6 kiln floors. They will now move on to phase two which will include planting an additional 150 hectares, installation of a second picker and another 6 kiln floors over the next 3 years.
It is simply an extension of the existing processes and on-farm techniques used by HPA across Tasmania and Victoria. The plantings will boost the production of in-demand varieties such as GalaxyTM, Vic SecretTM and TopazTM as well as HPA-016, HPA’s newest proprietary variety.
The expansion is in response to hop-forward beer styles like the American Pale Ale, IPA and NEIPA becoming increasingly popular, and driving unprecedented levels of hop consumption at home and around the world. The new Buffalo River Valley farm will bring HPA’s farming operations to 900 hectares across Tasmania and Victoria, increasing supply surety and diversity of hop varieties for brewers.
The opening of the new Buffalo River Valley processing facility is a much needed boost to the surrounding communities that have been battered by the recent bushfires, with many businesses having to close for extended periods of time over their peak tourism season.
