30-07-2025
Thomas Foods International scales back Adelaide Hills operations due to drought
One of the nation's biggest food businesses has scaled back operations at its Adelaide Hills site as the state battles the impact of ongoing drought.
Thomas Foods International operates lamb and cattle farms and provides retail-ready meat products for supermarkets, butchers and retail outlets.
In a statement, it attributed the move to the drought, but said most workers would be offered alternative positions.
"Thomas Foods International is reducing its processing capacity in South Australia due to the well-documented drought in South Australia and lower livestock supply," the statement read.
The statement did not detail how many workers had been impacted, but said the company remained committed to "long-term operations" at its Lobethal facility.
"Production workers were notified on Friday, and it is envisaged that most workers will be utilised under the new working arrangements," it said in a statement.
"Employees will be offered work at its other sites if not required at Lobethal."
South Australian Independent Member for Kavel Dan Cregan posted on social media that "hundreds" of people had been impacted.
"Thomas Foods' decision to stand down hundreds of workers at Lobethal is hitting our community hard," he wrote.
"We need certainty from TFI about its plans at Lobethal."
The ABC has contacted Thomas Foods and the Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union for comment.
According to its website, the company employs more than 3,000 people globally, services 85 countries and turns over $3 billion annually.
