A government-funded feasibility study shows that a soybean crushing facility in Manitoba would make economic sense.
Now it just needs some entity prepared to invest in such a proposition.
The $52,000 study funded by the provincial and federal governments in partnership with Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers, determined that a crushing facility would be economically viable because of the growth in soybean acreage in Manitoba and the demand for soybean meal in the western Canadian livestock industry.
The study suggested that it could add $190 million in annual economic growth to the province.
Manitoba produces 18 per cent of all soybeans grown in the country on more than 1.25 million acres planted and estimates that acreage could quadruple in western Canada over the next decade.
There are currently no large-scale soybean crushing facilities in western Canada with most soybeans grown in Manitoba either shipped to the United States or China for processing.
The study did not indicate any particular site in the province that would make most sense.
Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers suggested that it could be five to seven years before the facility is in place