BRESLAU, ON – Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and Raj Saini, Member of Parliament (Kitchener Centre), announced a repayable contribution of up to $10 million to Conestoga Meats under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, AgriInnovate program while visiting the facility today in southwestern Ontario. This funding will increase the Canadian pork industry’s productivity, helping the sector to meet growing domestic and global demands for their high-quality, sustainable products.
The investment will help the company upgrade its facilities and install a state-of-the art cooling system. This unique, custom built system will allow for more controlled temperature reduction. The technology will also reduce processing time and improve product shelf life for fresh pork. These improvements will help increase production and significantly expand export opportunities in Japan and across Asia. Exporting to these areas requires advance capabilities to improve shelf life for chilled pork.
Quotes
“Our government is proud to be working with the Canadian pork industry to build a stronger, more innovative sector. This investment will help the pork sector increase its productivity and capacity to meet growing consumer demand, as well as improve on-farm safety, while fostering continued economic growth and create jobs for our middle-class.”
– Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
“Our government is committed to supporting innovative ideas that help increase production in the agri-food sector to meet growing export needs. This investment demonstrates this commitment, and allows us to grow our economy while creating good, well-paying jobs for people across Canada and in the Waterloo Region community.”
– MP Raj Saini, Kitchener Centre
“Conestoga Meats and its farmer-owners are very appreciative of the interest free loan that the Government of Canada is making to our business. This is helping us enhance our production capabilities which will allow Conestoga to export more product and create additional jobs in our community.”
– Arnold Drung, President of Conestoga Meats
Quick facts
- In 2018, Canada’s pork sector exports were valued at $4 billion, making Canada a top-three exporter of pork in the world.
- The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3 billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the agriculture and agri-food sector.
- This investment was made under the AgriInnovate Program, a five-year (2018-2023), up to $128 million initiative under the new Canadian Agricultural Partnership that aims to accelerate commercialization, adoption and/or demonstration of innovative agri-based products, technologies, processes or services that increase agri-sector competitiveness and sustainability.
- Conestoga Meats is a southwestern Ontario pork processing facility that produces, processes and packages fresh, chilled and frozen pork products. Conestoga Meats is well established in both domestic and international markets, with $450 million in sales for 2017. Conestoga Meats is the second largest pork processor in Ontario and Canada’sfifth largest pork packer.
Associated links
- Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
- AgriInnovate Program (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
- Conestoga Meats
