Roquette Pea Processing Plant to Double Production

Already the world’s largest, the Roquette pea processing plant in Manitoba is planning an expansion that will double current production, according to a provincial media release. 

The expansion was one of several major capital infrastructure and investment projects that will receive funding through the Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership (Sustainable CAP), the Manitoba and federal governments jointly announced Thursday. In total, the governments are investing $15.4 million in 70 projects over four years. 

The release said Roquette is investing in new equipment at its Portage la Prairie pea protein plant that will double production and “allow local producers to sell more of their product in Manitoba.” 

The plant now has the capacity to process 125,000 tonnes of Yellow peas annually.   

“Roquette searched far and wide when looking for the perfect place to build our state-of-the-art pea protein plant,” Chris Chinery, manager, Roquette Portage Pea Protein Plant, said in the release. “We settled on Manitoba and more precisely, Portage la Prairie, because of the potential we saw for partnering with government to foster innovation and help create a hub for sustainable, plant-based ingredients that will help feed North America and the world.” 

French food products company Roquette opened its $600-million pea-processing plant just outside Portage la Prairie in fall 2020. The plant produces pea protein for food and sports nutrition products, along with food-grade starches and components.  

The release said the government funding will allow organizations to purchase equipment that will bring new and innovative technologies into the production process, improving productivity and leading to increased employment and scaled up production. 

Burnbrae Farms in Winnipeg and Spenst Bros Premium Meats in Winkler are among the other organizations that will receive government funding.