Cargill today announced plans to expand its existing canola processing capabilities in Clavet, Saskatchewan. The initial phase of construction is scheduled for Fall 2006, with completion expected by Spring 2007.

Cargill’s decision to further invest in rural Saskatchewan will increase its canola crush to 3,000 metric tonnes per day.

Wayne Teddy, President of Cargill’s Grain & Oilseeds Supply Chain-North America business unit, linked the expansion directly to Cargill’s strategic focus on vegetable oil’s increased global demand.

“We firmly believe that Canada, in particular Saskatchewan, is one of the areas of the world best-suited to an expanding production of vegetable oil in the form of softseeds,” said Teddy. “This investment will help better position Cargill and its canola producers as a go-to source in serving the growing global demand for fuel and food applications derived from canola.”

“It is our commitment to expand Cargill’s Canadian footprint into those areas that will deliver the greatest value to our farm and end-use customers,” noted Cargill Limited President, Len Penner. “Together, canola producers and Cargill will ensure domestic and global consumers have access to a reliable, consistent, high quality ingredient for fuel and food.”