Exotic mushroom farm for old Holden site

The old Holden site in Elizabeth will house a $110 million exotic mushroom farm and processing facility.

Mushroom growing. Photo provided.

The Epicurean Food Group today revealed plans to expand their current 4,000 square meter mushroom farm at the Elizabeth site into a “fully vertically integrated” mushroom production facility capable of producing 20,000 tonnes of exotic mushrooms per year.

The new facility will occupy around 35,000 square meters of space in the 295,000 square meter Lionsgate Business Park, which was repurposed for a number of new businesses in the wake of Holden’s departure in 2017.

Epicurean said it will employ 350 people at the new mushroom facility, which will grow exotic Shitake, Enoki, Lion’s Mane, Oyster and King Oyster mushrooms.

The mushrooms will be grown in columns up to 13 meters high, located in six specially designed growing chambers, the company said.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

Epicurean Food Group CEO Ken King said the facility will also produce mushroom products, such as hamburgers.

Epicurean Food Group CEO Ken King and Chief Scientist Leanne McGrath at their current mushroom manufacturing facility. Photo provided.

“Our operations range from the assembly of roe in our laboratory to the processing of mushrooms in our high-tech commercial kitchen,” King said in a statement.

“With the help of our supermarket partners, Australians will have easier access to some of the 20 unusual and exotic mushroom varieties we grow, as well as our wholesome mushroom burgers, balls, crumbles and sausages.”

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Trade and Investment Minister Nick Champion said the production facility would lead to more locally grown produce on South Australian supermarket shelves.

“Few would have thought it possible to transform Holden’s old factory floor into a place where exotic mushrooms could be grown and grown – but South Australians not only innovate, we lead the rest of the pack.

“The repurposing of one of the state’s most respected manufacturing sites is proof that the sector remains strong and adaptable.

“Nothing like this facility exists interstate and we want to support local companies to expand and reach new customers on a national and global scale.”

Currently, around 85 per cent of Australia’s exotic mushroom supply currently comes from overseas, according to the state government.

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