Australia’s leading duck producer and supplier, Luv-A-Duck, has its eyes set on ambitious growth plans.
Speaking about the Plans, Chief Executive, James Thompson, said that the grit of the late Founder Art Shoppee and his family have laid the foundation for the transformation of the business over the next 10 years and beyond.
“In Australia today the population only consumes 800gm of duck meat per head, yet in Asia, Europe and the US, populations are consuming more than 2kg per head. We see huge upside for the business as we roll out our exciting marketing strategies promoting duck as a once a week meal, rather than a treat”, said Mr Thompson.
Luv-A-Duck was founded by the late Art Shoppee back in 1968, when he started out with just 20 ducklings.
Today it grows and supplies 5 million ducks annually for food service and retail markets within Australia and overseas.
Nhill is the “Home” of Luv-A-Duck, with the business employing 250 staff across sites at Nhill, Ballarat and Port Melbourne.
The West Wimmera Region is considered one of the best environments in the world to grow ducks.
Luv-A-Duck continues to support a range of district social and community groups including the Nhill & District Sporting Club, Nhill College, Nhill Golf Club, Nhill Bowling Club, Hindmarsh Landcare Group and the Nhill Racing Club to name a few.
“We are extremely fortunate to be based in the Nhill district. Overtime our growth plans will see further investments in the district, with new breeder and grower sheds required, the Nhill Hatchery being expanded, and a new Plant being built on the block next door”, said Mr Thompson.
To support the growth plans, current Family Directors, Theresa Sfetkidis and Kim Shoppee-Lynch, are in the final phase of choosing a business partner, to take a major stake in the business.
“Theresa and Kim will still maintain a shareholding in the business, and are determined to see Art’s legacy grow into a bigger, better and stronger business which will benefit the Nhill and District community”, said Mr Thompson.
This article appeared in the Nhill Free Press & Kaniva Times, 29 March 2023.
