Atlantic Beef Products receives US$1.63m federal funding for halal processing expansion
Project focuses on halal-certified beef production for domestic retail and foodservice markets
CANADA – Atlantic Beef Products has secured a federal contribution of up to US$1.63 million to expand halal beef processing capacity at its federally licensed facility in Prince Edward Island.
The funding is being provided through Canada’s Kosher and Halal Investment Programme, which supports domestic processors serving faith-based food markets.
The company plans to deploy the funds at its plant in Albany, where new processing and packaging systems will be introduced to support halal-certified production.
According to project details, the upgrades are intended to increase throughput, improve yield recovery, reduce waste, and support the production of retail-ready halal beef products.
The investment comes amid sustained growth in demand for halal food across Canada, particularly in urban retail and foodservice segments.
Federal officials said the programme is designed to help processors adapt facilities to meet specific religious certification requirements while keeping production within Canada.
Speaking on the announcement, Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald said the project reflects a broader effort to modernise food processing infrastructure and expand market access for Canadian products.
Facility upgrades and technology additions
Atlantic Beef Products confirmed that the project includes installing steam vacuum systems aimed at improving sanitation and food safety performance.
The facility will also add upgraded meat recovery equipment to increase usable yield from each carcass.
Packaging lines will be modified to accommodate a wider range of halal-certified products intended for retail distribution.
In addition, an in-line X-ray analyser will be installed to improve fat-content measurement and support product safety controls.
Company president and chief executive officer Russ Mallard said the equipment will allow the business to process and package halal products entirely on site while meeting certification requirements.
The project also aligns with the federal Buy Canadian Policy, which prioritises domestically produced goods in government procurement.
Officials have linked the policy to efforts to strengthen domestic supply chains and improve access to Canadian-processed food products.
Regional significance
Atlantic Beef Products currently operates the only federally registered beef processing plant east of Quebec.
The facility processes up to 750 head of cattle per week, sourcing livestock from producers in Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.
Founded in 2003, the company employs about 180 people, making it one of the larger agri-food employers in the region.
Industry participants said the investment is expected to expand halal processing capacity in Atlantic Canada and support local cattle producers supplying the plant.
They added that increased domestic halal production could reduce reliance on imported products and improve availability for Canadian consumers.
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