Canadian meat company Maple Leaf Foods has bought two poultry plants in Canada from Cericola Farms as it aims to meet consumer demand.
Located in Bradford, Ontario, and Drummondville, Quebec, collectively the two plants process around 32 million kg of chicken annually.
Maple Leaf has also entered into an agreement to secure 100% of the processed chicken volume from Cericola’s primary processing plant, located in Schomberg, Ontario, and holds an option to acquire this asset and associated plant supply in three years.
The company said that the purchase of the two poultry plants will provide it with additional supply and value-added processing capability.
Cericola Farms CEO Michael McCain said: “Cericola is a leader in raised without antibiotics and organic chicken. This acquisition will build Maple Leaf’s market leadership in these value-added categories and enable us to meet growing consumer demand.
“Our vision over the past 60 years has been to provide wholesome and natural poultry products to our customers. It is this tradition of excellence that aligns Maple Leaf and Cericola.”
Earlier this year Maple Leaf ventured into the plant-based protein sector with the acquisition of Lightlife Foods for $140 million.
Lightlife manufactures more than 30 product lines at its production facility in Massachusetts, including plant-based tempeh, hot dogs, breakfast foods and burgers. The company reported sales of approximately $40 million last year, and controls nearly 40% of the US refrigerated plant protein market.
Last month Maple Leaf announced its ambition to become the most sustainable protein company in the world. It said it is responding to what it believes as a lack of trust in the food industry.
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