The Agropur dairy co-operative is embarking on a significant investment of nearly $1 billion aimed at expanding its operations in two key locations: Quebec and Nova Scotia. This move comes in response to the growing demand for protein-enriched food products.

Agropur has announced plans to double the milk processing capacity at its facility located in Beauceville, Quebec, which is situated southeast of Quebec City. This expansion is expected to generate approximately 60 new jobs, signifying a boost not only to the company’s operations but also to the local economy in that region.

Émile Cordeau, the CEO of Agropur, emphasized the co-operative's commitment to modernizing the Quebec plant. The renovation will be comprehensive and will involve the installation of state-of-the-art technology designed to enhance production efficiency and meet the evolving demands of consumers.

In addition to the developments in Beauceville, Agropur is also set to expand its facility in the Halifax area, which has a focus on producing fluid milk products. The expansion in Halifax will enable the plant to produce dairy proteins, a move that aligns with current market trends. This phase of the project is anticipated to create an additional 30 jobs in the region.

The expansion efforts are being supported by financial contributions from the governments of both Nova Scotia and Quebec. These investments underline the importance of the dairy industry to the local economies and the overall food supply chain in Canada.

Cordeau mentioned that while the plans are progressing well, there are still a few details that need to be finalized. He expressed confidence that the necessary approvals for the co-operative's expansion plans are expected to be secured by the end of the year.

Overall, Agropur's initiatives reflect a targeted response to the increasing consumer preference for protein-rich foods and demonstrate a strategic approach to scaling operations to meet this demand.