Carman, MB (May 14, 2015) – The Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers (MPSG) is pleased with the outcome of a new feasibility study, funded by the Canada and Manitoba governments and industry partners, which found Manitoba has the right mix of soybean production and market demand to support a soybean crushing facility. MPSG partnered with Soy 20/20 to initiate and co-fund the study, which was conducted by Mercantile Venture Consulting.
“We have an opportunity to provide more value to growers in Manitoba and it’s always good to have an alternative market that doesn’t rely on exports,” said Kyle Friesen, chair of MPSG. “We want to encourage local supply and demand to keep value-added processing in Manitoba to support jobs, the tax base and economic activity.”
According to the study, a soybean crushing plant would bring many benefits to Manitoba producers, including easier access to the market, the ability to bypass uneven rail freight, and the capability to generate freight savings and better soybean prices.
The study determined a soybean crushing facility would be economically viable, based on the growth of the province’s soybean acreage and the demand for soybean meal in the western Canadian livestock industry. Manitoba currently produces 18 per cent of all soybeans grown in Canada – more than 1.25 million acres, and the study estimates soybean acreage could quadruple in western Canada over the next decade. There are currently no large-scale soybean crushing facilities in western Canada.
MPSG and Soy 20/20 will investigate potential stakeholders who may want to construct a soybean crushing facility. The study indicated the economics of the operation could be further improved by crushing canola as well.
For more information on the feasibility study, please contact MPSG, or visit www.manitobapulse.ca or www.soy2020.ca.
This study received $52,500 under the Growing Forward 2 – Growing Actions program. The federal and provincial governments are investing $176 million in Manitoba under Growing Forward 2, a five-year, federal-provincial-territorial policy framework to advance the agriculture industry, helping producers and processors become more innovative and competitive in world markets.
About MPSG
MPSG represents over 3,500 producers in Manitoba who grow soybeans, edible beans, peas, lentils, chickpeas and faba beans. MPGA’s mission is to provide pulse grower members with production knowledge and market development support, through focused research, advocacy and linkages with industry partners.
For more information, please contact:
Francois Labelle
Executive Director
Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers
204-745-6488
francois@manitobapulse.ca
An Executive Summary of the report is available here: Manitoba Soybean Crush Feasibility Study_Executive Summary
For the complete 106 page report, please contact the MPSG office at 204-745-6488.