Sofina Foods Inc. has announced a deal to acquire Exceldor Cooperative, a significant move in Canada’s chicken and turkey industries, particularly in Quebec and Manitoba.
The proposed acquisition is subject to approval by Exceldor’s member-producers and holders of investment shares, who will vote during their annual general meeting on June 5, 2025. It will also require a green light from the Competition Bureau.
Financial terms of the deal have not been made public.
Exceldor is owned by around 330 poultry producers in Quebec, Ontario, and Manitoba, employing 3,700 people in the three provinces, and generating annual revenue of $1.4 billion.
Headquartered in Lévis, Quebec, Exceldor has operations in Saint-Anselme, Saint-Damase, Saint-Hyacinthe, Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, Beloeil, and Saint-Cuthbert in Quebec, as well as Hanover in Ontario, Winnipeg, and Blumenort in Manitoba. The cooperative is also co-owner of Unidindon in Quebec and the Blumenort Hatchery in Manitoba.
The Manitoba facilities were acquired in Exceldor’s merger with the Granny’s Poultry cooperative in 2019.
“This agreement is a unique opportunity that will enable us to continue our activities in an increasingly competitive environment. The proposed acquisition by Sofina ensures the long-term legacy of generations of producers and employees who built the Exceldor Cooperative,” said René Proulx, president and CEO of Exceldor cooperative, in a May 15 news release. “It gives us the tools to strengthen our operations and create new opportunities for our producers and employees. It is also important to note that consumers will continue to enjoy high-quality Exceldor-branded products in Quebec and Granny’s-branded products in Manitoba – raised and processed in their respective provinces.”
Sofina Foods, based in Markham, Ontario, is one of Canada’s largest food companies, making primary and further-processed protein products for retail and foodservice. The company and its subsidiaries employ more than 13 thousand people across Canada, as well as through subsidiaries in the UK, Ireland, Germany, and France.
“This transaction reflects our desire to continue investing in the Canadian poultry industry, in plants and capabilities, to better serve Canadian consumers from coast to coast. Exceldor is a well-established organization with whom we share a common culture of excellence, discipline and integrity. We look forward to working with Exceldor’s team to further elevate its flagship brands in Quebec and across Canada,” said Michael Latifi, founder, chairman and CEO of Sofina Foods.
Exceldor’s product lineup in grocery stores includes the Exceldor, Lacroix, Granny’s, Butterball, and Saha Halal brands. Sofina’s Canadian branded-products include Cuddy, Lilydale, Janes, Mastro, San Daniele, Fletcher’s, and Vienna.
