Almond processing at Murray downs
We’ve created cutting-edge almond processing facility to build a sustainable food future.
Over the past eight years, the Australian almond industry has experienced remarkable growth. In response to the industry’s expanding needs and a shortage of processing capacity, Australian Farming Services decided in 2021 to invest in building its own almond processing plant. This strategic move, aimed initially at supporting its own production, also positions the facility to serve other industry participants in the future. Located in Murray Downs, NSW, the plant construction began in April 2023 and has been operational, processing almonds under the Murray Downs Almonds brand since April 2024. Designed to operate over an 18-week season, the facility targets a close each July, ensuring efficiency and adaptability in a rapidly growing market.
A new era in Australian almond processing.
The Murray Downs Almonds processing facility marks a major advance in almond processing. Strategically located near the AFS orchards, this state-of-the-art plant features a 17,500-tonne capacity, designed for easy expansion to double its capacity to 35,000 tonnes. It offers sorting, grading, packing, and warehousing services, with plans for a 4.5MW solar farm to support its sustainable design.
From vision to reality, watch Murray Downs
Almonds rise from the ground up.
17,500t
Almonds processed
per season
7t
Almonds processed
per hour
6
Autonomous
forklifts
18
Week season
Built for Growth
Committed to reducing our impact with the lasted technology.
Grid, Solar &
Batteries
Murray Downs’ remote location presents unique energy challenges. While the grid supplies about half of the plant’s power, a planned microgrid with solar and batteries will improve efficiency and costs, building on existing solar installations at our Cadell and Canally orchards.
Latest colour
sorters
Tomra and Satake colour sorters, along with X-ray sorters, have been installed to ensure high-quality inshell and kernel meet customer specifications. These advanced systems help maximise the value of each crop, delivering the best possible returns for growers.
Guided Vehicle
Technology
Six Dematic Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGVs) have replaced eight manual forklifts, improving safety and efficiency across the plant. These advanced forklifts reduce manual handling and streamline operations, enhancing overall productivity.
High capacity
dryer
Murray Downs is home to the Southern Hemisphere’s largest almond dryer, built by Alvan Blanch, known for its reliable drying systems. Designed to handle high-moisture almonds from rain events, this dryer ensures optimal quality and reduces risks for the almond industry.
LMC Hulling &
Shelling equipment
Using LMC Hulling & Shelling equipment, a trusted brand in the Australian and US almond industries, Murray Downs ensures efficient processing while maintaining high-quality standards.
4.5MW solar
farm
With a mind on minimising our footprint into the future, the power to run the plant will initially come from the grid, but be supplemented by a 4.5MW solar farm, set to be operational by 2026, which will soon be installed on-site.