New Mexico Cheese Plant to Expand to Produce More Whey
Demand from markets in Asia and developing countries is fueling the $100 million expansion.
The Southwest Cheese Co. LLC plant in Clovis, N.M., will soon undergo a $100 million expansion that will bring 40 new jobs to Curry County, Albuquerque Business First has reported.
The expansion at the facility, already one of the world’s largest cheese plants, will allow for more production of curds and whey proteins, which are used in ice cream, processed cheese sauces and sports drinks and energy bars.
Dairy Farmers of America co-owns the cheese plant with Glanbia Foods of Twin Falls, Idaho.
The plant already produces thousands of pounds of Monterey Jack, cheddar, American and other varieties of cheese. Under the co-op agreement, DFA pays dairy farmers a portion of the profits earned from the plant annually.
Southwest Cheese processes more than 3.8 billion pounds of milk, and produces in excess of 388 million pounds of block cheese and 29.1 million pounds of whey protein powders each year.