{"id":368426,"date":"2026-01-22T17:28:48","date_gmt":"2026-01-22T07:28:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=368426"},"modified":"2026-01-27T11:54:15","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T01:54:15","slug":"farmers-expected-closure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2026\/01\/22\/farmers-expected-closure\/","title":{"rendered":"Farmers ‘Expected’ Closure"},"content":{"rendered":"

January 22, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

The advocacy group which represents Queensland dairy farmers, eastAUSmilk, says it is disappointed with the closure of the Lactalis processing plant in Brisbane but the decision “was expected”.<\/p>\n

In a statemen released on Wednesday, vice president Waylon Barron said there had been a push to remove manufacturing in the South Brisbane precinct ahead of the 2032 Olympics.<\/p>\n

“All milk from dairy farms in Queensland and far northern NSW will likely be processed at the Nambour Lactalis factory,” Mr Barron said.<\/p>\n

“It is expected that Lactalis milk for the mid-North Coast and Hunter in NSW will be processed in Sydney.<\/p>\n

“We expect that Lactalis’ suppliers in Queensland and northern NSW will continue to be looked after during the remainder of their contracts.”<\/p>\n

Mr Barron said most of these contracts were set to expire in July next year.<\/p>\n

“We also hope that Lactalis will continue to want our milk beyond July 2027,” he said.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mr Barron said the decision raised concerns about future competition and pressure on pricing.<\/p>\n

“eastAUSmilk would be very concerned if competition reduces, forcing down pricing and forcing some farmers to consider ceasing production,” he said.<\/p>\n