The proposal will double the plant’s capacity.

By the middle of next year the Baranduda plant will be capable of pumping out 60,000 litres of soy milk a year.

Yesterday, Vitasoy said the existing factory could no longer keep pace with “double-digit” growth in sales in the past five years.

Construction work is to begin later this year with the plant operational by June next year.

Vitasoy Australia general manager Nicolas Georges said the investment was a major vote of confidence in Wodonga as the site of the company’s soy milk production.

“We have experienced double-digit growth over the last five years and we are simply outgrowing our current facility,” he said.

“Wodonga has been a great location for us over the 10 years we’ve been here.

“By adding a new production line ... we will be setting ourselves up for many more years of growth in the region.

“This is all about investing now for future growth as we continue to drive up consumer demand for our products.”

Mr Georges said the expansion would increase the size of the existing Baranduda Drive factory and warehouse to accommodate a new production line.

“We currently employ 70 people at our site,” he said.

“Initially our expanded facility will allow us to take on another shift of around five people mid next year and there will obviously be local employment in the construction phase.

“Our strong growth is an outcome of increased popularity of soy milk beverages and innovation.

“We have launched new products, such as Soy Milky and Vitasoy Ricemilk and Vitasoy Oatmilk products, that have really expanded our market.”

He said Vitasoy’s share of Australia’s soy and rice milk market had grown from 18 per cent in 2004 to almost 40 per cent today.