Mars expands Australian cat food production with pouch facility

Mars has opened its AU$112.6 million (US$78 million) pet food pouch facility in Wodonga, Australia. The new pouch facility is estimated to manufacture 290 million pouches for premium wet cat food each year for brands including Whiskas, Dine, Optimum, and Advance. 

With the expansion, 90% of Mars pet care products sold in Australia and New Zealand will be produced locally, enhancing supply chain resilience and reducing reliance on imported products.

The pet food packaging industry is witnessing a cultural shift where pets are treated as part of the family. Mars says demand for high-quality, locally made cat nutrition is rising in Australia, where 5.3 million cats live in one-third of homes, with wet pouch formats being the fastest-growing pet food packaging segment.

Melodie Nye, managing director and general manager at Mars Petcare Australia and New Zealand, says: “We know Australians love their cats, and so do we. That’s why this new facility means so much to us. Our iconic brands have been part of homes for generations, and this new facility helps us deliver the high-quality meals that keep millions of cats happy and healthy every day.”

“Mars has been part of the Wodonga community since 1967, and this new facility is the next chapter in that story. We’re proud to keep investing here — in local jobs, in Australian manufacturing, and in the people who make this place what it is.”

Locally made products

The new site is located close to existing Mars operations in Wodonga. The company has unveiled advanced manufacturing technology, including autonomous mobile robots, automated packaging systems, a next-generation cooker, and selective use of AI-enabled planning tools to strengthen production efficiency and operational flexibility.

Mars recently announced an AU$200 million (US$138.7 million) investment in Australian manufacturing through to 2027. Since 2020, Mars has invested more than AU$450 million (US$312 million) across its Australian operations to modernize facilities, improve quality and efficiency, and support a more resilient, low-carbon manufacturing footprint.

The Wodonga site is also home to two renewable energy initiatives, namely a concentrated solar thermal system for steam generation and a commercial-scale electric thermal energy storage pilot, which uses renewable electricity to generate and store heat.

The development of the Wodonga facility was supported by the Victorian government through the Regional Development Victoria program.

Michaela Settle, Minister for Regional Development, says: “Across regional Victoria, we’re helping businesses like Mars Petcare to expand their operations, strengthening our supply chains and continuing to develop places like Wodonga as manufacturing powerhouses.”

“We’re proud to have supported this expansion, which has created local jobs and will support significant productivity growth for the company.”