The money has been lined up to fund a major expansion for a Winnipeg pea and canola protein processing plant that’s still being built. Merit Functional Foods Corp. announced May 4 it has secured a debt financing package of up to $85 million from “a syndicate of lenders” including Export Development Canada, Farm Credit Canada […] Read more
Plant protein processor backed for expansion
Lenders arrange up to $85 million for Merit Functional Foods
Pulse weekly outlook: Dry pea prices remain firm
Acres expected down from 2019
MarketsFarm — Prices for green and yellow dry peas remain fairly good, according to Dale McManus of Johnston Grains at Welwyn, Sask. Green peas are currently $10-$11 per bushel, which he said is a decent price; he also expects green pea acres to remain steady in 2020 compared to the previous year. The price for […] Read more
Pulse weekly outlook: Manitoba pea plant construction continues
MarketsFarm — Work continues on Roquette’s pea processing plant at Portage la Prairie, Man., where the French plant-protein firm says measures have been taken to meet health and safety regulations regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. “Beginning in early March we proactively started collaborating with contractors on COVID-19 prevention measures, such as increased cleaning of communal spaces […] Read more
Pulse weekly outlook: Lack of willing sellers underpins prices
MarketsFarm — Pea and lentil bids in Western Canada are holding relatively steady for the time being, despite anecdotal reports of increased international demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with attention soon shifting to spring seeding. A lack of willing sellers is keeping pulse bids underpinned in Western Canada, according to broker Dale McManus of […] Read more
Wendy’s launches Canadian-made plant-based burger
Pea protein patty developed 'in-house,' company says
Burger chain Wendy’s has set out to meet what it says is now an “expectation” in the Canadian quick-service dining sector, with a new pulse crop-based burger. The U.S. chain’s Canadian arm on Thursday announced it has launched a plant-based burger it calls the Plantiful at its 380-plus Canadian stores, using a patty it described […] Read more
Pulse weekly outlook: Green pea bids back off highs
MarketsFarm — Green pea prices in Western Canada have come off their highs in recent weeks, as end users back away from the market. Top-end green pea bids have lost about a dollar per bushel over the past month, according to Prairie Ag Hotwire data. “A lot of the end users are full now,” said […] Read more
Pulse weekly outlook: More acres sought for 2020
MarketsFarm — Planting intentions for red and green lentils and other pulses have been looking good for 2020 — but that might change somewhat because prices have slipped a little, said Marcos Mosnaim of Globeways Canada in Mississauga. Discussing pulse crops at a farm show last month in Saskatoon, Mosnaim said he got the strong […] Read more
Pulse Canada looking to build data inventory for industry
MarketsFarm — Pulse Canada has undertaken a survey of pea and lentil growers to gauge the sector’s environmental footprint and to provide data for a public repository. The survey is a joint project with Alberta Pulse Growers, SaskPulse and Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers. The survey is a life cycle assessment of pea and lentil […] Read more
Nestle to source plant proteins from Winnipeg
Winnipeg/Zurich | Reuters — Food company Nestle SA said on Friday it has teamed up with small Canadian plant-based food ingredient makers Burcon and Merit Functional Foods, the second such supply agreement this month that targets Canadian crops. Meat substitutes from plants in burgers, nuggets and many other foods are a fast-growing industry, driving up […] Read more
Pulse weekly outlook: Uncertainty pervades markets
MarketsFarm — The price spread between green and yellow peas continues to widen in Western Canada, but whether or not that trend will continue remains to be seen. Numerous outside factors lend a general air of uncertainty to the pulse market, according to a pulse trader. Green peas typically trade at a premium to yellow […] Read more
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