CHARLOTTETOWN – The dairy sector is an important contributor to Canada's economy, contributing $20.9 billion through sales by farmers and food processors. The Government of Canada knows the importance of supporting a strong and competitive dairy industry that will ensure Canadian families continue to benefit from high-quality products while creating well-paying jobs for Canadians.
The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, along with Member of Parliament Sean Casey (Charlottetown), today announced an investment of up to $1.8 million to COWS Inc. under the Dairy Processing Investment Fund, and an additional $800 thousand from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. This funding will enable the cheese processor to expand its processing capacity to introduce new types of cheese and butter, bringing further international recognition to Canadian cheese making.
COWS' creamery expansion will lead to greater demand for milk from PEI dairy producers, improved processing capacity, lower production costs and product certification.
Today's announcement is part of Minister MacAulay's 'Growing Canadian Agriculture' tour, where he will meet with farmers, processors and industry leaders, as well as participate in rural agricultural events across the country, to hear ideas on how to capture new growth opportunities for the sector.
Quotes
"Dairy processors are making significant investments in innovation and cutting-edge technology to help improve their efficiency and competitiveness, key ingredients for growth. This investment will help COWS deliver more of their award-winning cheeses and dairy products to consumers in Canada and abroad, which will help grow our economy and create well-paying jobs."
– The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
"Funding of projects like this highlights the Government of Canada's commitment to supporting businesses and bringing new opportunities for economic growth to the Atlantic region. This project will improve COWS' competitiveness, productivity and market development to benefit the dairy industry and all Canadians."
– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
"COWS is a key player in PEI's dairy sector and economy This expansion will strengthen the PEI dairy industry and island economy, ensuring a market for PEI dairy farmers and creating new jobs in Charlottetown."
– Sean Casey, Member of Parliament for Charlottetown
"This funding announced through the AAFC Dairy Processing Investment Fund and ACOA is a tremendous opportunity for COWS to capitalize on recent growth and award wins. The COWS Creamery location is currently undergoing a 25,000 square foot expansion that will greatly increase freezer, cooler, and dry storage space, modernize and expand the cheese production lines, and add office space. This will allow COWS to fulfill larger and more frequent orders with increased efficiency, while also setting a solid foundation for continued growth of new products and customers."
– Chad Heron, Vice President, COWS Inc.
Quick Facts
- COWS Inc., founded in 1983 in Cavendish, PEI, makes ice cream, chocolate and butter, in addition to running ice cream parlours. In 2007, they entered the Canadian cheese market with three award-winning cheeses: Avonlea Clothbound Cheddar, Extra Old Cheddar, and Appletree Smoked Cheddar. The current expansion project is expected to result in the creation of 15 new jobs by 2023.
- To date, 14 dairy processors have been approved for funding support under the Dairy Processing Investment Fund valued at over $20 million, in a wide array of projects from small investments in cheese, milk drying, yogurt, cream and butter projects.
- Canada's dairy sector is also supported by the associated Dairy Farm Investment Program. To date, over 1,800 dairy producers have been approved for funding support valued at over $114 million (as of August 29, 2018), in a wide array of projects from small investments in cow comfort equipment to large ones for automated milking systems.
Source: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
