Melanie Rennie had her fingers crossed last week, awaiting word on whether a European investor will build a processing plant for exotic livestock in Manitoba.
Rennie, a director for the Canadian Ostrich Marketing Export Team, said a decision by the investor is expected this week. If the decision is positive, the plant could start production as early as next year.
The European investor, whom Rennie declined to name, already has five processing plants around the globe for exotic livestock. Much of the production from a Manitoba plant would be geared toward European markets, Rennie said.
Read Also
Russian wheat exports start to pick up the pace
Russia has had a slow start for its 2025-26 wheat export program, but the pace is starting to pick up and that is a bearish factor for prices.
“That’s where the big markets are for game meat, and they’re huge by our standards.”
One scenario is a two-shift operation that generates 6,000 tonnes of processed meat annually. If the project moves forward, the plant will need stock from Manitoba, Saskatchewan and possibly Alberta.
Ostriches, red deer, elk, goats, fallow deer, bison, caribou, muskox, organic beef, wild boar and other specialty pigs are being considered for processing. Availability of that livestock remains key to whether the plant is built.
Construction of such a facility would help alleviate a Catch-22 situation that often confronts exotic livestock growers. Without stable markets, it’s hard to crank up production. And without a consistent level of production, it’s hard to land markets for large volumes of meat.
“We’ve never even had the luxury of having a market price,” said Rennie, an ostrich grower from Birds Hill, Man. “It’s always been whether we have anyone buying.”
A processing plant in Manitoba could add stability to the industry. Although several details were unclear last week, one of the goals is to develop supply contracts between the processor and producers. There would also be an opportunity for producers to negotiate prices a year in advance, Rennie said.
It is proposed that the processing plant be developed as a new generation co-operative.
Although part of the production would be earmarked for Europe, growers participating in the co-operative would not abandon their existing markets, Rennie said.
