The inability to achieve production-line capacity was cited for the recent closure of two Canadian-owned food processing facilities serving the country’s densest population centres. The closures, combined with soon-to-take-effect closures of two further-processing pork factories in Quebec, leave primary producers of both vegetables and livestock hoping this isn’t a sign of things to come. Pickle […] Read more
Tag Archives processors
Is processing at a tipping point?
Labour, capacity and access to capital make Ontario processing a challenge
TruHarvest closes doors on beef processing plant
Plant was one of only three federally inspected options for Ontario producers
TruHarvest Meats, one of three federally inspected beef processing facilities in Ontario, has closed its doors, citing a continued inability to achieve financial goals. “Unfortunately, the ownership paused operation at the end of January for financial reasons,” said TruHarvest vice-president Chuck Oulton, when contacted at the Toronto plant in early March. “It’s tough. The team […] Read more
Industry-led code of conduct for food retailers on horizon
Fees create 'uncertainty' for producers, processors
A report from a federal-provincial working group says the retail sector has levied an increasing number of fees on suppliers, and is proposing the formation of a code of conduct as a potential solution. Canada’s agriculture ministers are now calling on industry to lead the process. They had formed the working group to study the […] Read more
U.S. requests CUSMA dispute panel on Canadian dairy quotas
TRQs improperly allocated, USTR alleges
Washington | Reuters — The Biden administration on Tuesday escalated a simmering trade dispute with Canada over dairy import quotas, requesting that the first dispute settlement panel under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement be formed to review the matter. The U.S. Trade Representative’s office said its complaint alleges that Canada was improperly allocating CUSMA tariff-rate import quotas […] Read more
CFA seeks continued ag support in next federal budget
Federation also presses for Buy Canadian campaign, processing support
Federal budget consultations are underway, with agricultural groups lobbying the government to support the industry further in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on Jan. 25 launched pre-budget consultations and since then, her schedule has involved several meetings with stakeholders. “We want to hear ideas from Canadians, from all walks of […] Read more
India offers to suspend farm reforms
Farmers may call off protests
New Delhi | Reuters — India’s government on Wednesday offered to suspend implementation of three new farm laws that have triggered the biggest farmers’ protests in years, which farm union leaders said they would now consider calling off. The cornerstone of the reform, introduced in September, allows private buyers to deal directly with farmers. Angry […] Read more
U.S. grains: Bullish crush data sparks rally in soybeans
CBOT corn, wheat futures firm
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures rallied on Tuesday, supported by a report showing processors were busier than expected during November, adding further pressure to a tight supply base, traders said. The strength in soybeans pulled corn higher, which closed in positive territory after trading lower for much of the session. Wheat futures also […] Read more
October crush numbers up, canola record set
MarketsFarm — Canadian oilseed processors crushed a record amount of canola during October 2020, according to the latest data from Statistics Canada. Increases were reported throughout the canola and soybean crushes when comparing this October with October 2019. October 2020 saw 931,060 tonnes of canola crushed, which bested the previous record of 899,331 tonnes set […] Read more
U.S. meatpackers try air cleaning tech after COVID-19 outbreaks
Chicago | Reuters — Two of the world’s largest meatpackers said on Friday they have installed ultraviolet air cleaning equipment in some U.S. plants, as pressure mounts on food companies to protect workers amid growing concerns about airborne transmission of the coronavirus. JBS USA, owned by Brazil’s JBS SA and one of four major U.S. […] Read more
COVID concerns weigh on chicken farmers, processors
Sales crashed on lack of foodservice business
Ottawa — Chicken Farmers of Canada say they’ve faced a “sharp decline” in sales as a result of a significant drop in food services, which represents roughly 40 per cent of their market. CFC chair Benoît Fontaine warned federal MPs as much during a virtual meeting of the Commons standing committee on agriculture and agri-food […] Read more