SASKATOON (Staff) – A $2 million pulse splitting plant is under construction near North Battleford, Sask., promising to help develop markets for special crops such as red lentils, chick peas and mung beans.
Parkland Pulse Cleaning Plant Ltd., a 10-year-old processor of lentils and peas, is adding the latest in splitting technology and expects to be operating early in 1997.
Cyril Fransoo, who co-owns the plant with his son Gilles, said the plant should help Canadians capture greater world market share.
“There has been a necessity for this type of plant to be built so the pulse industry can grow and the new crops coming along can be processed successfully,” he said last week.
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There are several other splitting facilities on the Prairies, but Fransoo believes his plant will distinguish itself with its ability to handle a wider variety of peas, beans and lentils. Splitting is important because many countries won’t buy unprocessed product.
“In many countries energy for even cooking food is a problem . . . once you split these products they cook a lot quicker so they are more valued and the market is there,” he said.
The new plant, built without community or government investment, will buy and market production from across Alberta and Saskatchewan.
It will add five to 10 positions to the existing 10-person payroll.
