After earlier delays, Cargill’s long-awaited canola processing plant in Regina is now up and running.
The company formally announced Tuesday that its $350-million facility, located at Saskatchewan’s Global Transportation Hub and expected to process up to 1 million tonnes of canola annually, is operational.
The opening marks the end of a long wait for the plant which was originally announced back in 2021. After beginning construction in 2022, the plant was planned to be in operation by early 2024. That was pushed back to before the end of 2025 and finally, spring 2026.
“This facility strengthens our ability to connect Canadian farmers to growing global demand for food and renewable fuels,” Jeff Vassart, president, Cargill Canada, said in a release. “By expanding processing capacity in Saskatchewan, we’re creating more opportunities for farmers while helping ensure Canada remains competitive in rapidly evolving global markets.”
Beyond adding crush capacity, Cargill said the site will improve the delivery experience for farmers. Through programs such as PowerCanola, the company says growers will be able to access emerging market opportunities while benefiting from dual receiving lanes, appointment scheduling and streamlined logistics intended to support faster and more predictable deliveries. The location also gives the plant efficient rail access to both domestic and export markets.
According to a March 2025 report from the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, Canadian canola crush capacity stood at 13.46 million tonnes at the end of 2024 and was expected to rise to 14.46 million with completion of the Cargill plant. The report said that would mark a 28% increase in national capacity since 2021.
Even so, the broader processing buildout has fallen short of earlier expectations. Federated Co-op Limited and AGT Foods paused plans for a 1.1 million-tonne canola crush and renewable diesel plant in early 2025, citing regulatory and political uncertainty, possible shifts in low-carbon policy and rising costs. Viterra’s proposed 2.5-million tonne plant, first announced in 2021, also remains in limbo following Bunge’s acquisition of Viterra.
In 2022, Ceres Global Ag Corp. said it was suspending plans to build a 1.1-million capacity canola crush plant at Northgate in southeastern Saskatchewan.
In its April supply-demand update released last week, Agriculture Canada forecast the 2026-27 Canadian canola crush at a record 13 million tonnes, up 500,000 tonnes from its March estimate, 8% above last year and 23% above average.
