'The success of Canada’s economy doesn’t truly rely on a few favoured firms that are able to capture regulators and curry favour with politicians.' – Gord Gilmour.

Editorial: Checks and balances needed

There’s a deepening need in Canada to increase oversight into competition in our economy, as evidenced by the latest food-related scandal. Canada Bread, an arm of the Mexican multinational Groupo Bimbo, just agreed to pay a $50-million settlement for its part in a bread price-fixing scheme. It was a conspiracy that ran for 14 to


(TysonFoods.com)

Tyson Foods announces layoffs

Reuters – Tyson Foods, which is seeking to cut costs, will lay off 228 corporate employees in Illinois who declined to relocate to the meatpacker’s Arkansas headquarters, the company confirmed June 13. The company said it will eliminate 177 positions from an office in downtown Chicago and 51 positions in Downers Grove, a suburb of

Manitoba’s first potash mine begins production

Manitoba’s first potash mine begins production

Business plan focuses on local economic development

After decades of exploration and several attempts, Manitoba’s first potash mine is up and running. The Potash and Agri Development Corporation of Manitoba (PADCOM) mine is near Harrowby, 16 kilometres west of Russell. It is expected to produce between 100,000 and 250,000 tonnes of potash per year. “After years of researching the potential of this


The interior of Burcon’s Winnipeg Technical Centre.

Burcon adds processor scale-up services

Company says the move leverages its expertise and equipment to attract new business

Manitoba agri-food processors will soon be able to access Burcon’s protein processing equipment to help get their food products to market. Burcon NutraScience Corporation, which focuses on plant proteins and ingredients for the food and beverage sector, says it will offer start-to-finish product development services for processors. “We saw that gap in the industry and

Tyson’s costs to buy live cattle increased $305 million from last year.

Tyson Foods shares plunge

Deflated demand, inflated costs lead to surprise loss

Tyson Foods Inc. shares plunged 16 per cent to a three-year low May 8 as the U.S. meatpacker posted a surprise second-quarter loss and cut its full-year revenue forecast amid slowing consumer demand. The weaker than expected results indicate cash-strapped shoppers are cutting back on meat spending in a high-inflation environment, while a shrinking cattle herd forces Tyson to pay more for


Corteva raises sales outlook after topping quarterly profit estimates

Reuters – Agricultural chemical and seed company Corteva raised its full-year forecast May 3 after it beat quarterly profit estimates. The company’s performance was aided by higher prices and strong demand for seeds, sending its shares up two per cent in extended trade. Crop prices have scaled back after rising to record highs last year

Britain’s Tesco cuts milk price

Reuters – Britain’s biggest supermarket group, Tesco, has cut the price of milk for the first time since May 2020, a possible early sign that a surge in food inflation may abate in coming months. In March, grocery inflation in the U.K. rose to 17.5 per cent, according to market researcher Kantar. The price rise


Merit’s fall may create small setback in Manitoba pea market

Merit’s fall may create small setback in Manitoba pea market

The sale of the cash-strapped processor won’t be finalized until the end of May, at least

Manitoba farmers may see reduced opportunity to sell peas this year, as the fate of protein ingredient processor Merit Functional Foods remains undetermined until at least the end of the month. “Then the question is, do I continue to grow peas or do I switch to another crop. That’s a decision that the growers have probably made by now,”