Yorkton canola crushing facility to double capacity

A canola crushing facility in Yorkton is set to double its capacity, bringing Saskatchewan closer to a provincial goal.

According to the provincial government, Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) is set to expand its crushing facility in the southeastern city, bringing its capacity up to two million metric tons, which is more than twice its current maximum. The facility, which employs about 120 people, opened in 2009.

Construction on the new crushing line is expected to start later this year.

Canola oil and canola seed were among the province’s top three agri-food exports last year, the government noted, “with a value of $3.5 billion and $2.7 billion, respectively.”

Jeremy Harrison, Saskatchewan’s trade and export development minister, said the expansion helps bring the province closer to some of the goals in Saskatchewan’s 2030 Growth Plan, including the target of crushing three-quarters of all the canola produced in the province.

“This major investment by LDC is good news for Saskatchewan canola growers and good news for workers and the economy in Yorkton and right across the province,” Harrison said in a statement.

“This investment strengthens the province’s position as a global leader in agriculture value-added processing and will further increase Saskatchewan’s international exports.”

Michael Gelchie, LDC’s CEO, said the move fits in well with the company’s goals.

“This investment supports the group’s strategic growth plans by reinforcing core merchandizing activities, in this case with additional capacity to originate and process Canadian canola seeds to provide nourishment for people and livestock,” Gelchie said in a statement.

“It also positions LDC as a strategic feedstock provider to renewable energy providers and accelerates our contribution to a global energy transition that we are excited to be a part of.”