Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) has announced plans to expand its canola crushing facility at Yorkton.
The facility’s new capacity will be over two million metric tonnes per year, which is more than double its current capacity. LDC initially opened the Yorkton facility in 2009 and currently employs approximately 120 people.
Construction of the additional canola crushing line is expected to begin later this year.
CEO Michael Gelchie says the expansion positions LDC as a strategic feedstock provider to renewable energy producers and accelerates the company’s contribution to a global energy transition.
“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,” says Saskatchewan Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison. “This expansion brings Saskatchewan even closer to several of the 2030 Growth Plan goals, including the ambitious goal of crushing 75 per cent of the canola produced in the province. This investment strengthens the province’s position as a global leader in agriculture value-added processing and will further increase Saskatchewan’s international exports.”
LDC has not disclosed the estimated cost of the expansion.
More than six million tonnes in additional canola crush capacity in Saskatchewan have been announced over the last two years, with Cargill, Federated Co-op/AGT, Richardson, and Viterra also moving ahead with construction.
According to the province, canola oil and canola seed were among Saskatchewan’s top three agri-food exports in 2022, with values of $3.5 billion and $2.7 billion, respectively.
Related: Plans for 6 million tonnes of new canola crush on their way to becoming reality
