September 11, 2025
Kingaroy-based peanut processor Crumptons has agreed to buy the Peanut Company of Australia’s land, buildings and equipment at Kingaroy and Tolga.
Bega Group announced on Thursday it had reached an agreement with the Crumpton Group for “certain limited assets”.
This includes all the buildings and land in Haly Street and Alford Street East in Kingaroy.
Bega CEO Pete Findlay said it would be inappropriate to reveal the dollar value of the sale as it was commercial in confidence.
However, he told southburnett.com.au that Bega had “chatted with a number of parties to find the best outcome for the town, the community and the industry”.
The sale does not change Bega’s plans to close the PCA business and pay out redundancies and entitlements to staff.
But it may be good news for at least some of the 150 employees at the two PCA plants.
Mr Findlay said Bega had been working with Crumptons to identify up to “30 potential roles” at Crumptons.
Bega announced in July that after a 12-month review it had decided to conduct a “phased shutdown” of PCA operations in Kingaroy and Tolga over the next 18 months, blaming annual operating losses of between $5 million to $10 million.
Since then there have been rumours of potential interest from within the industry for the assets in both Kingaroy and Tolga but Mr Findlay could not confirm what approaches Bega had received.
Mr Findlay said Bega was pleased the land, buildings and equipment would remain in local hands and be “utilised in their proper form moving forward by the Crumpton organisation”.
“Which I think is an excellent outcome,” he said.
Crumptons will take over the Tolga assets in December, to support the intake from Atherton Tablelands growers, while the Kingaroy site will be handed over to Crumptons next June.
The Bega announcement included a statement from Sonie Crumpton, from G. Crumpton & Sons:
“The acquisition of these assets will allow us to better serve Australian peanut growers in all regions moving forward. We will soon be in discussions with peanut growers regarding the coming season.”
South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff said she was pleased that PCA’s Kingaroy plant would go to a local company with industry knowledge and that some local jobs will be kept.
“I have spoken to a representative from the Crumpton family, and they have assured me that they are planning to utilise some of the assets at the Kingaroy site and ensure that the facility and the Heritage-listed silos are maintained,” Mayor Duff said.
“This decision will help to ensure that North Queensland peanut growers have a future and for our local growers the iconic and valuable peanut industry will still have a strong presence and lasting legacy.”
Related articles:
- Mayor ‘Still Hopeful’ About PCA
- Bega Shuts Down PCA
- PCA Review ‘Still Under Way’
- Bega ‘Reviews’ PCA’s Future
[UPDATED]
Congratulations to local people, the Crumpton family. You have taken on an enormous challenge and I hope all goes well for you and the peanut industry.