Sunrise Farms’ expansion will create 100 new jobs in Oxford County and strengthen Ontario’s agri-food processing capacity
WOODSTOCK — The Ontario government is welcoming an investment of over $100 million from Sunrise Farms, a family-owned Canadian poultry business, to build a new state-of-the-art processing facility in Woodstock. This major expansion builds on the company’s strong foundation in the Canadian poultry industry, while strengthening the resilience, competitiveness and self-reliance of the province’s agri-food supply chain by creating 100 new, good-paying jobs in Woodstock and supporting 248 existing positions across Ontario.
“Ontario’s world-class agri-food sector serves as a cornerstone of our economy, which is why our government is fostering its long-term competitiveness and resilience,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “As demand for Ontario-made products rises, Sunrise Farms’ investment will add critical processing capacity to our domestic supply chain, creating new opportunities for Ontario workers, farmers and suppliers.”
With this investment, Sunrise Farms will develop one of the most technologically advanced poultry processing facilities in Canada, while maintaining high food-safety and environmental standards. Once operational, the new, 155,000-square-foot facility will significantly enhance the company’s processing capacity, increase procurement from Ontario farms and support economic growth across rural communities.
“Ontario’s agri-food sector is an economic powerhouse, generating $52 billion in GDP and employing 1 in 9 people across the province,” said Trevor Jones, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “This significant investment by Sunrise Farms to expand their processing capacity will help ensure our province remains a global leader in food production while creating jobs and strengthening Ontario’s food independence.”
Upon receiving its federal license from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Sunrise Farms will also be positioned to expand the distribution of its Sargent Farms branded products across provincial and territorial borders, unlocking new market opportunities for Ontario-made goods across Canada. In support of this investment, Ontario is providing up to $4 million in funding through the Invest Ontario Fund.
“We are pleased to continue our growth by expanding our operations within Ontario,” said David Shoore, CEO, Sunrise Farms. “This project represents the largest greenfield investment in Sunrise’s history. Upon completion, the new facility will enable Sunrise to respond effectively to increasing demand for Sargent Farms branded halal certified products throughout Ontario and nationwide. This development is expected to deliver substantial economic benefits to the region and reinforce Ontario’s food system.”
In the face of global economic uncertainty, the government continues to deliver on its mandate to protect Ontario workers and businesses by lowering taxes, reducing red tape and fostering the conditions for companies to invest and grow. Since 2018, Ontario has attracted over $222 billion in investments, supporting the creation of one million new jobs.