Processing for the future: How Select Harvests is investing in grower returns

WHAT happens after harvest can be just as important as what happens in the orchard. Recovery rates, drying capacity, market access and pricing all play a role in determining grower returns. That’s why Select Harvests has invested heavily in its Carina West processing facility over the past two seasons, with a focus on improving efficiency, protecting quality and delivering stronger outcomes for growers.

These investments form part of the company’s long-term commitment to growers across Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales.

Built for scale, efficiency and product protection

Carina West is a 100-acre processing facility commissioned in 2008 as part of a large-scale investment in long-life almond processing infrastructure. The facility services a geographically diverse supply base spanning three states and receives almonds from both Select Harvests’ orchards, and independent growers. More than 9000 hectares of company-owned and leased orchards supply the facility, including orchards located within South Australia’s Riverland region.

Over the past two seasons, Select Harvests has expanded hulling and shelling capacity from 30,000 to 55,000 metric tonnes per annum. Automation and process improvements have been incorporated throughout the facility to optimise line balancing, improve throughput and reduce bottlenecks during peak harvest periods.

For growers, the practical benefit is improved processing efficiency during harvest, helping reduce wait times and support faster truck turnaround when orchard operations are at their busiest.

“Our facility is built for scale, efficiency and product protection,” general manager – almond operations Dan Wilson said.

Mr Wilson says operational consistency is supported through flexible scheduling, with product selected and processed impartially based on quality characteristics and contractual commitments, ensuring optimal value is achieved for growers and customer.

Growers are also welcome to visit the facility and observe processing firsthand, reinforcing transparency and confidence in the process.

Protecting quality from day one

Quality management begins as soon as product arrives at Carina West. The facility’s limestone stock pad has capacity for up to 110,000 metric tonnes of field-weight product, allowing large harvest volumes to be managed efficiently throughout the season. Every load undergoes quality assurance testing, including moisture and pest assessment, before entering the processing stream.

Product on the stock pad is carefully managed to minimise quality deterioration. Stockpiles are tarped and sealed to provide protection and are fumigated where quality assessments indicate this is necessary to maintain product quality.

Wet harvest conditions can quickly impact almond quality. To reduce that risk, Select Harvests recently completed a $13m upgrade to its pre-cleaning and drying infrastructure, creating what the company says is Australia’s largest almond drying capacity. The investment is designed to reduce mould risk during wet seasons and help protect product quality when harvest conditions are challenging.

Drying capacity can become particularly important following rainfall events, when excess moisture can impact quality and increase the risk of downgrades. By increasing drying throughput, the facility is better positioned to manage these seasonal challenges while preserving product value.

Improving recovery and saleable yield

Alongside quality protection, Select Harvests has focused heavily on improving recovery outcomes through investment in processing technology.

Enhanced screening and pre-sorting systems have delivered up to a 7 per cent improvement in inshell recovery on suitable product.

On the kernel side, ongoing investment in processing technology is delivering up to a 3 per cent increase in saleable kernel compared with traditional processing models. While percentages may appear modest, even small gains in recovery can translate into meaningful improvements in the proportion of every tonne delivered that generates revenue.

The focus on recovery reflects a broader objective of maximising value from each load delivered to the facility. Combined with investments in drying capacity and throughput, Select Harvests believes these improvements contribute to stronger commercial outcomes for growers over time.

Measuring Grower Value

Freight is often the first thing growers consider when choosing a processor, but it’s only part of the picture. Recovery and sale price can have an even greater impact on overall returns.

Here’s a real example. For a grower producing around 1000 kernel tonnes, we compared our returns against another processing option, including the additional freight cost from the Riverina. Even after accounting for that freight, improved recovery and a stronger sale price delivered approximately $295,000 in additional grower returns.

Our proprietary Advanced Kernel Recovery System is turning what was once waste into value, consistently delivering an additional 3-4 per cent kernel recovery for the 2026 crop, and increasing returns from every tonne delivered.

Every load is different. Crackout, season and market conditions all influence the final result. But the key point remains: it’s the total return that matters, not just freight.

A strong presence in the Riverland

Select Harvests’ orchard portfolio spans three growing regions across Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales, providing geographic diversity and supporting a consistent supply of almonds to the Carina West processing facility.

The Southern Region, which includes orchards in South Australia’s Riverland, comprises approximately 2599 hectares of company-owned and leased almond orchards. The company’s presence in the Riverland is also supported by its grower liaison manager and grower services team, who work directly with growers on harvest planning, scheduling, logistics and delivery co-ordination throughout the season. The emphasis is on maintaining regular communication and providing a consistent point of contact before, during and after harvest.

Market access and product positioning

Processing performance is only part of the equation when it comes to grower returns. The ability to access markets and sell product effectively also plays an important role.

Select Harvests markets both in-shell and kernel almonds across a broad range of grades, specifications and packaging formats. To support this approach, the company has developed a grading framework aligned to the requirements of different customers and markets.

According to general manager – sales Ekrem Omer this allows product to be positioned more precisely and supports improved price optimisation across key markets.

The company’s vertically integrated operating model provides full traceability from orchard to customer. Almonds sold into domestic and international markets can be traced back to their orchard of origin, a capability that is becoming increasingly important for many customers and export markets.

Select Harvests supplies almonds to customers across Australia, Asia, the Middle East and other international destinations, supported by extensive warehousing and logistics infrastructure that enables year-round supply. The company says this consistency helps strengthen customer relationships and supports demand over the long term.

In recognition of its export performance, Select Harvests received the Regional Exporter Award at the 2025 Governor of Victoria Export Awards.

Flexible pricing and cash flow options

Recognising that different growers have different business requirements, Select Harvests offers a range of pricing structures, including mark-to-market pool pricing, fixed pricing options and customised arrangements where appropriate.

The company also provides payment options aimed at supporting cash flow throughout the season. Under the standard pool arrangement, payments are distributed progressively as customer proceeds are received. An Advanced Payments option is also available, providing earlier access to funds for growers seeking additional working capital during key seasonal periods.

Supporting these initiatives is the Grower Portal App, which provides growers with real-time visibility of deliveries and processing information. The platform has been introduced to improve transparency and keep growers informed throughout the processing cycle.

Investing for the long term

Almond production is a long-term investment, with growers committing capital many years before orchards reach full production. As industry plantings continue to mature, the importance of reliable processing capacity will only increase.

Select Harvests says its investment in Carina West is intended to ensure processing capability keeps pace with future production growth while maintaining a focus on product quality, operational efficiency and grower returns. The company views the facility as a long-term asset designed to provide capacity, resilience and continuity as industry volumes evolve.

“We manage every almond as if it were our own,” Dan said.

“Care, accountability and transparency underpin the way we work with growers, with a consistent focus on protecting value and supporting long-term relationships.”

For growers assessing processing options ahead of the next harvest, the message from Select Harvests is straightforward: continued investment in capacity, recovery, quality protection and market access is designed to support stronger grower outcomes over the long term.

For more information, contact Ruston Prescott on 0493 489 929, or (rprescott@selectharvests.com.au).