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Food manufacturing numbers up as demand grows

Jul 18, 2018 | 5:00 PM

Food manufacturing numbers are up and the province says demand for exports is increasing as more countries look to Saskatchewan and Canada for healthy foods and oils.

Food manufacturing is up more than 21 per cent in Saskatchewan.

Godwin Pon, director of the value-added unit with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, said that’s good news for the province’s agriculture sector.

“Certainly the largest food manufacturing is in our grains and canola crush sector,” Pon said. “So it’s a great opportunity to profile the canola sector and also the grain milling industry as well.”

Pon said interest in new oils, such as camelina and flax is also driving demand, and interest in plant-based proteins is also growing. A&W announced this week that it would be adding a new burger to its menu using a patty made from peas, rice, beans, apples, coconut oil, pomegranates and beets to appeal to consumers who want more plant-based food options.

And with increased growth in the agriculture sector, Saskatchewan Polytechnic and Ag in Motion have partnered on a new research chair position to look at new opportunities. Blake Weiseth will start in his new research position August 1.

Jamie Hilts, dean of the school of Natural Resources and Built Environment at Saskatchewan Polytechnic said the new research position will complement the agriculture and food production diploma program, looking at applied research, agricultural practices, agribusiness, and training and learning opportunities.

“There’s a real increased demand from a provincial, national and ultimately, a global perspective in terms of us being able to meet the demands for agriculture,” Hilts told farmnewsNOW. “There’s emerging trends in terms of how we are able to maximize our productivity within the agricultural sector.”

 

Charlene.tebbutt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @CharleneTebbutt