Flahavan’s has unveiled new organic oat storage infrastructure worth €1.8m at its mill in Kilmacthomas, Co Waterford.
The eight new silos were revealed by the family-owned Waterford business as the company welcomed EU organic ambassadors from across Europe for a visit to its facility this week.
The eight new 850-tonne (t) silos will provide an additional storage capacity of 6,800t.
The project received support through the Department of Agriculture, with elements of the associated electrical and control infrastructure also supported by Enterprise Ireland.
Flahavan’s has said that the new facilities significantly increase its capacity to intake and store organic oats on site, providing the company with greater control over crop segregation, quality and continuity of supply.
‘Half of all oats milled’
Organic oats now account for approximately half of all oats milled by Flahavan’s and the company has said this new investment will support the growth of its organic business in Ireland and globally.
Thirty-five organic ambassadors, appointed by EU member states representing 23 countries, visited the site in Waterford, as well as representatives from the Department of Agriculture.
The EU organic ambassadors’ visit forms part of a three-day programme in Ireland, organised by the Department.
The visitors had the opportunity to learn about Flahavan’s oat-milling process, its work with Irish organic oat growers and the company’s experience in developing domestic and export markets for organic oat products.
Speaking about the new facility, Johnny Flahavan said: “Organic oats have become an increasingly important part of our business and we continue to invest in the infrastructure, grower relationships and market development needed to support that growth.
“For us, a key part of that is continuing to build a strong and resilient Irish organic oat supply base.”
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon said it is positive to see the continued investment being made by Flahavan’s in Ireland’s organic sector.
“Increasing domestic storage and processing capacity is an important part of supporting the growth of organic production, strengthening the market for Irish organic growers and helping to deliver on Ireland’s ambitions for the sector,” the Minister said.
Challenges
A significant challenge facing Ireland’s organic oat sector is the need to build a sufficient and resilient domestic supply base to meet growing consumer demand.
Flahavan’s supports its organic grower base through direct engagement, specialist agronomy support and its annual organic growers forum.
The company said its focus is on helping growers understand the market opportunity for organic oats, the quality standards required for milling and the practical considerations involved in transitioning to organic production.
SHARING OPTIONS