December 21, 2006

Pork producers in Saskatchewan in favour of pork-processing plant

A recent Saskatchewan Pork Development Board (Sask Pork) survey showed 80 percent of Saskatchewan pig producers favor building a pork-processing plant in the province.

Maple Leaf Foods decision to close its pig-slaughtering plant in Saskatoon has raised concerns about a lack of processing capacity, increased transportation costs, and higher losses during transportation among pork producers in the regions.

Last month, officials of Sask Pork circulated a survey to assess the level of producer interest in investing in and committing to pig contracts.

Sask Pork general Manager Neil Ketilson said participants were asked to select between doing nothing and letting the market decide, finding market for the hogs themselves or have Sask pork develop a business plan and build a plant in the region.

The survey showed that there's access to over the critical mass of a million head of cattle that required for the plant.

The Saskatchewan Pork Development Board will be meeting in the near future to work out strategies such as attracting a marketing partner, securing financing, and business development.