Drake Meat Processors to build new plant in Saskatoon, Canada
The project is expected to create 200 new jobs and increase meat production capacity to over 8 million kilograms annually.
CANADA – Drake Meat Processors, a Canadian meat company based in Saskatchewan, is constructing a new facility in Saskatoon with funding from a group of investors led by the Golden Opportunities Fund.
The financing round also included Farm Credit Canada Capital, a government-affiliated investment arm, along with other local strategic partners, though the total value of the deal was not publicly shared.
The new plant will span 53,000 square feet and is expected to produce over eight million kilograms of processed meat each year to address growing demand within Canada.
The company, founded in 1949 and still operated by the Ediger family, manufactures a range of meat products including jerky, bacon, sausage, deli meats, and ham.
Retailers currently supplied by Drake Meat Processors include national chains such as Walmart, Sobeys, Loblaws, Costco, and Co-op stores.
In a statement, the company said the new facility will feature several upgrades, including a tempering room, automated injection and bacon lines, and smokehouses that use natural gas.
The family behind the company will remain key shareholders following the new round of investment, retaining operational control of the business.
Company CEO Kelly Ediger described the expansion as a significant step for the company but did not provide any financial projections tied to the new development.
He also noted that the business was entering a new phase with the support of local and institutional investors, including Farm Credit Canada and Golden Opportunities.
Golden Opportunities Fund president and CEO Grant Kook stated the investment will contribute to regional job creation and inject capital into the Saskatchewan economy.
Job Creation and Facility Expansion
The construction project is expected to generate 200 new positions in Saskatoon once operations begin.
Although the timeline for completion was not disclosed, the investment signals a long-term commitment to scaling up production to meet domestic consumption patterns.
Drake Meat Processors emphasized that their products are made with select pork and beef cuts, mixed with proprietary spice blends and smoked using hardwood.
Neither the company nor the investment firms disclosed the size of the capital injection, but local reports estimate similar projects typically require investments of US$18 million to US$22 million (approx.).
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