United Potato Growers of Canada: New Alberta processing plant good news for whole industry

The plans for a new multi-million dollar Cavendish Farms plant in Lethbridge, Alberta, should not concern the Prince Edward Island potato industry, says the general manager of the United Potato Growers of Canada.

Kevin MacIsaac said the announcement was expected. The existing plant in Lethbridge is old and outdated and had to be replaced. It will not have an impact on the plants in the Maritimes.

"The plants in eastern Canada are still very much needed in terms of the total picture because they are in close proximity to a large eastern seaboard market.”

“Definitely there's a freight advantage for the plants that are in eastern Canada to service that market."

MacIsaac said it's good news anytime a processing plant expansion is announced in Canada.

Most of the large expansions have been in the United States in recent years.