In a move that will expand Pennsylvania’s food & beverage industry, the yogurt maker Chobani today announced a $1.2 billion plan to convert an existing food production facility into a dairy product manufacturing operation.
Chobani will assume operations of Keurig Dr Pepper’s (KDP) manufacturing facility, equipment, and related infrastructure, where Chobani plans to manufacture “innovative food products beyond yogurt.” Food production is expected to begin in 2027.
According to New York-based Chobani, the 1.5 million-square-foot facility, located in Upper Macungie Township, will accelerate the company’s ability to innovate and produce the next generation of better, more wholesome foods while creating new opportunities for Pennsylvania workers, farmers, and suppliers.
When fully operational, the facility is expected to process more than three billion pounds of Pennsylvania milk annually — equivalent to approximately 30% of all milk currently produced in the Commonwealth — the largest increase in demand for Pennsylvania dairy in the state’s history. The project will create a significant new market for the Commonwealth’s family dairy farms, helping them grow and strengthen their businesses for generations to come.
Business leaders in the state called the project the largest ever private investment in Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry, and predicted it will create 900 full-time jobs over the next five years in the Lehigh Valley and greatly expand markets and opportunities for more than 4,000 dairy farmers in Pennsylvania.
