In France, Roquette, a global leader in innovative plant-based food ingredients, announced plans to build the world’s largest pea-protein processing plant in Canada, the world’s largest producer of peas. Portage la Prairie, Manitoba will be the site for this 400 million CAD plant and construction is expected to begin in second half 2017, with production beginning in 2019.
Pea protein is a great source of protein and is found in gluten-free foods, vegetarian foods, sports and slimming foods, senior nutrition and clinical nutrition. Canada produces about 30 percent of the total global pea crop and Manitoba has a well-educated and professional workforce, strong logistic infrastructures and reliable, competitive and sustainable hydroelectric energy.
This large industrial unit will expand Roquette’s pea-protein production capacity and help address the growing customer demand for plant-based proteins in North America and globally. Upon completion, Roquette’s Portage la Prairie site will add 150 new local jobs.