Food processing comprises a significant sector in the regional economy and is generally conducted on a large scale in the Murraylands. Diverse components include:- meat processing through to high end packaging & export; olive pickling and oil bottling; cheese processing; yoghurt and other milk products; flour milling; small goods processing and canning; fish processing; secondary processing of horticulture products such as potatoes and carrots; caper preservation and bottling.  EconSearch Pty. Ltd. No.2 indications for the Food Processing industry reveals:

• In 2005/06, value of output in food processing and manufacturing sectors in the Murraylands was approximately $241m, responsible for almost 3,390 fte jobs in the Murraylands with 920 jobs generated directly in food manufacturing and processing and over 2,470 flow-on jobs generated in other sectors.
• A 10 per cent increase in food processing would result in increase in value of output of approximately $24.1m (in 2006 dollars) with almost 170 fte new jobs generated in the Murraylands region with approximately 90 jobs generated directly in food manufacturing and processing sector and almost 80 flow-on jobs generated in other sectors.

OPPORTUNITIES – subject to water scarcity opportunities exist for expansion of food processing.

• Emerging prospects of water re-use through Rural City of Murray Bridge and T & R Pastoral could support expansion and diversity in horticulture.
• Potential for expansion of regional produce into the high profile gourmet niche markets.  Capers, olives, tomatoes, mushrooms for example provide prospects for expansion into high value added products.
• Potential exists for a grape crushing plant at Monarto to support expansion of Murraylands viticulture industry servicing areas such as Swan Reach, Nildottie and neighbouring Langhorne’s Creek & Fleurieu Peninsula.
• Distillation plant for vodka production as an adjunct to the regional potato industry or whisky distillation from grain could diversify regional economy.
• Potential to expand packaging sector to service products from outside the region – fish, meat, vegetable products.
• Diversity of the food production sector presents opportunities for development in packaged foods such as gourmet meals.
• Potential exists for cold storage facilities to support an expanding food sector.