Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


A discouraging outlook for fruit plant

Thursday, April 10, 2008

by KATE PROCTER

“It is heartbreaking for all of us. It certainly isn’t for lack of effort,” says Niagara Falls MPP Kim Craitor. Current owners, CanGro, announced that they will be shutting the plant, which leaves local growers few options but to stop producing.

Saving a plant, however, is a complex process, says Craitor. There are many groups with an interest in keeping it operating but no one has brought all the players to the same table.

Craitor says all three levels of government are now looking for commitment from growers and the UFCW before committing the money needed to bail out the plant. Government has been burned before by contributing money to save manufacturing jobs, only to have the owners pull up stakes and move equipment south of the border two or three years after the cash was received.

“Growers have not been contacted directly by any potential buyer. All contact has been through Niagara-On-The-Lake Lord Mayor Burroughs. The reply to Mr. Burroughs has always been consistent – our growers are emphatic – they want the plant to stay open provided they receive a fair price for their fruit and are assured of payment,” says Adrian Huisman, who manages the Ontario Tender Fruit Board (OTFB) and Ontario Fresh Grape Board and is an advisor for the Ontario Apple Growers.

“No one, at this point, has attempted to bring all parties together. We are available at a moment’s notice,” he says. The OTFB says growers are in favour of the plant staying open, but they need assurance that the pricing of the raw products is acceptable and that will be paid.

While growers appreciate the short time frame and recognize that it is difficult for governments to move things through their systems quickly, they have imminent production decisions to make. Peach trees need to be sprayed and pruned before bud break, which is expected before the end of April.

Marketing the product is one of the big issues, explains Craitor. He says that CanGro keeps the label, which is recognized by consumers, and the buyer of the plant will be facing a competitive market without a recognized label.

The current prospective buyers are interested in using all local produce in the plant, which provides a competitive disadvantage in itself, says Craitor. Offshore produce can be brought in at a substantially lower price because wage rates are lower and Canada has higher standards for pesticide and water use.

In the meantime, those working at CanGro’s plant in Exeter were told this week thatplant would close. The plant processes peas and corn.

In January, CanGro Foods Inc. announced it planned to shut the two plants on Mar. 31 if buyers couldn’t be found. The company's third Ontario plant, located in Dresden, is unaffected.

In its January announcement, the company announced plans to outsource its canned vegetable and fruit requirements.

CanGro markets canned fruit, tomatoes and vegetables under Del Monte, Aylmer and Ideal brands.

In May, 2007, it sold its Aylmer and Primo brand soup business to Baxters Canada Inc. BF

Current Issue

September 2025

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

Festival of Guest Nations returns to Leamington

Friday, September 12, 2025

On Sunday, September 14, 2025, Seacliff Park in Leamington, Ontario, will come alive with music, food, and celebration as the Festival of Guest Nations returns to honour the migrant worker communities who play a vital role in Essex County’s agricultural economy. With more than 20 years... Read this article online

York Region launching new Agri-Food Startup Program

Thursday, September 11, 2025

A new program in York Region is designed to help entrepreneurs find their footing in the food space. The 14-week hybrid Agri-Food Start-up Program partners entrepreneurs with local organizations like the Foodpreneur Lab, Syzl, York Region Food Network, and the Chippewas of Georgina Island... Read this article online

Corn and Soybean Diseases Spread This Season

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

As reported on the OMAFRA website fieldcropnews.com, as well as in previous articles by Farms.com, the 2025 growing season is nearing its end with corn and soybean farmers in Ontario and the U.S. Corn Belt facing disease challenges that reflect changing weather conditions. For corn, two... Read this article online

Wheat Output Decline Projected for 2025

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Statistics Canada’s latest modelled estimates suggest that wheat production in Canada will decline slightly in 2025, driven primarily by weaker yields across several regions. National output is expected to edge down 1.1% to 35.5 million tonnes, with yields forecast to fall 1.2% to 49.6... Read this article online

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2025 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top