New technologies increase the value of cranberries and their market share

PLESSISVILLE, QC, Oct. 13, 2017 /CNW/ - A world leader in organic cranberry processing is now ready to expand production and boost exports thanks to an investment from the Government of Canada. This investment, announced by Parliamentary Secretary Jean-Claude Poissant, on behalf of Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister, Lawrence MacAulay, has helped Fruit d'Or commission a new plant just as Canadian food processors are taking advantage of new market opportunities under the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with the European Union which took effect September 21.

Since then, Fruit d'Or has sold around 635,000 pounds of dry fruits in Europe. 

The federal government helped build this ultra-modern plant, and buy and commission new equipment and technologies thanks to over $9.3 million in funding under the AgriInnovation Program of the Growing Forward 2 Agreement. The company produces higher-quality, more nutritious cranberry juice and dried fruits to meet the growing demand of consumers around the world, which benefits producers and creates jobs. 

Quotes

"The government proudly supports food and beverage processors in implementing their innovative projects. With its new ultra-modern plant, Fruit d'Or is increasing the quality and nutritional value of its cranberry products, and it will boost its demand for inputs, its production and its exports, creating jobs and strengthening our economy."
- Jean-Claude Poissant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri‑Food

"Agriculture and Agri‑Food Canada's support through the AgriInnovation Program and interest-free financing is very important for Fruit d'Or. Fruit d'Or has invested more than $50 million in its new Plessisville plant over the past two years. Because of this support, Fruit d'Or has an ultra-modern facility, equipped with innovations that enable it to provide its clients in more than 50 countries with innovative products that showcase Quebec cranberries and berries."
- Martin Le Moine, President and CEO, Fruit d'Or

Quick Facts

• Fruit d'Or was awarded the Prix "Entreprise exportatrice canadienne 2016" by SIAL-Canada.
• This project has enabled Fruit d'Or to increase its processing capacity by eight million pounds of traditional cranberries and 15 million pounds of organic cranberries over three years. Producer revenues and the number of Fruit d'Or employees have increased.
• Budget 2017 focused on agri-food as one of the top industries in our Government's Innovation and Skills Plan, an ambitious effort to make Canada a world leader in innovation, with a focus on expanding growth and creating good, well-paying jobs.
• Budget 2017 set an ambitious goal of growing Canada's agri-food exports to $75 billion by 2025..
• This repayable investment has been granted under the AgriInnovation Program of Growing Forward 2, a five‑year initiative worth $698 million

Additional Links

Growing Forward 2 – Agriculture and Agri‑Food Canada 
AgriInnovation Program – Agriculture and Agri‑Food Canada 
Fruit d'Or

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SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Guy Gallant, Director of Communications, Office of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, 613-773-1059; Media Relations, Agriculture and Agri‑Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, 613-773-7972, 1-866-345-7972; Rachel Carrier, Vice-President, Human Resources and Organizational Development, Fruit d'Or, 819-385-1126, extension 217; Sylvain Dufour, Vice-President, Sales and Marketing, Fruit d'Or, 819-385-1126, extension 213