Posted on June, 24, 2024 at 09:36 am
Cereals Canada is planning to take a major step toward an idea that’s been discussed in the Western Canadian grain industry circles for several decades — the creation of a new facility to bring together Canada’s grain industry institutions in one location and serve as a hub for grains research, product development, and technical support to export customers.
Multiple sources say the grain value chain organization is preparing to launch a campaign to raise awareness and funds to build a new multi-purpose facility, with an announcement possibly coinciding with the Cereals Canada annual general meeting to be held on Thursday, June 27.
The new complex would be located just east of Portage and Main in downtown Winnipeg, Man., within blocks of the Canadian Grain Commission building that has also housed Cereals Canada (formerly the Canadian International Grains Institute or Cigi) and the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre for decades.
The proposal involves construction of a new facility called the “Global Agriculture Technology Exchange,” or GATE, according to a website whose domain was registered on May 31, 2024.
“As global demand for Canadian grain grows, Canada must be ready to meet that need. Building a new facility is not a small undertaking, but the world’s food needs a place where experts can work,” the website states. “Creating a hub for food innovation will support Canadian farmers and domestic and global customers, and it will uphold Canada’s position as a leader in nutritious, high-quality food ingredients.”
The proposed facility would be home to “state-of-the-art analytical, milling, baking, noodle and pasta making, malting and brewing, oat processing, and educational training facilities to support and train global customers about the quality, functionality, safety, and sustainability of Canadian grains,” according to the website.
It’s expected the campaign will include requests for significant funds from the federal and Manitoba governments, as well as funding from Cereals Canada’s members, which include provincial wheat and barley grower organizations, grain companies, crop input suppliers, and millers.
Pulse Canada and the Canola Council of Canada also have their head offices nearby in downtown Winnipeg. While they don’t appear to be driving the project forward to the extent that Cereals Canada is, the pulse and canola industry groups could potentially be tenants of the facility.
Grain companies Richardson International, Parrish and Heimbecker, Paterson Grain, and Cargill Canada also have their headquarters in the area around the Grain Exchange district.
The concept of a “grains centre of excellence” has been a topic of discussion in Winnipeg’s grain industry for many years. In the mid-2000s, when the Canadian Wheat Board’s headquarters were also nearby, the plan was to bring Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Cereal Research Centre (since closed), the Canadian International Grains Institute, the Canadian Grain Commission, and the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre under one roof.
Manitoba’s agriculture minister, Ron Kostyshyn, advocated for the concept during his previous stint as provincial minister, as recently as 2012.
RealAgriculture has asked Cereals Canada for comment and further details.
Source: Real Agriculture