Released on February 13, 2017
Tour Will Highlight the Province’s Growing Strength in Value Added Food ProcessingPremier Brad Wall today visited the production facilities at CanMar Grain Products and NutraSun Foods, two successful Regina companies who add value to Saskatchewan grown crops and create products sold around the world.
The visits were the first stop on Wall’s “Saskatchewan Ingredients Tour”, which will continue during the next few weeks and involve a number of Saskatchewan companies.
“Saskatchewan’s growing strength in value-added food processing deserves to be recognized and celebrated,” Wall said. “There are now more than 300 food companies operating in the province that generate more than $4 billion in revenues and employ about 5,000 people. Their tremendous success demonstrates that Saskatchewan’s economy is stronger, more durable and more diversified than ever. Our province is no longer just a primary producer of grains, oilseeds and other resources. Throughout Saskatchewan, companies are adding value to what we grow, and in the process creating jobs and opportunity.”
CanMar Grain Products operates a state-of-the-art facility designed to clean, roast and package flaxseed at one location. Its retail products are sold under the Flax for Nutrition brand. The company ships to customers across North America and in Asia, Mexico, Europe and the Middle East. CanMar Grain has a workforce of 34 people.
NutraSun Foods is owned by Paterson GlobalFoods (PGF), an international company with expertise in agriculture, food production, finance and transportation. NutraSun is one of Canada’s premier flour millers. It supplies flours, bakery mixes, dough conditioners and whole grain products to customers across the globe. NutraSun employs 26 people in Regina.
Saskatchewan ingredients are increasingly finding favour with consumers around the world.
Saskatchewan flax is used in the cookies sold at Shanghai Disneyland, while oats grown in Saskatchewan are a key ingredient in the Cheerios eaten at breakfast tables throughout North America.
Harvest Meats of Yorkton supplies hot dogs to Safeco Field, home of baseball’s Seattle Mariners. It’s likely much of the mustard used on those hot dogs is made with Saskatchewan mustard seed.
Meanwhile, Saskatchewan lentils and peas are used in Indian kitchens every day, in dishes like Daal, Matar Paneer and Chana Masala. Ninety per cent of India’s lentil imports, and more than 60 per cent of its pea imports, are grown by Saskatchewan farmers.“Saskatchewan’s exports have doubled in the last decade in part because of the success of CanMar Grain Products, NutraSun Foods and many other companies operating across Saskatchewan,” Wall said. “Our government will strive to ensure our food processors benefit from a welcoming business environment with competitive taxes and sensible regulations. We will also work internationally to raise awareness of what Saskatchewan has to offer and to protect and enhance access to markets.”
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For more information, contact:
Kathy Young
Executive Council
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0425
Email: kathy.young@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-526-8927