New Egg Processing Plant for Amherst

A new egg grading and processing facility in Amherst will create jobs and open new provincial export business opportunities in rural Nova Scotia.

Maritime Pride Eggs Inc. will centralize its operations in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick with a new egg grading and breaking facility capable of handling and processing millions of eggs each year. The company's $6.4-million facility will distribute table eggs and liquid egg products throughout the Maritimes, creating 40 to 50 jobs.

"This is a company with a strong track record and one that has selected Nova Scotia as a place to do business," said Ernest Fage, Minister of Economic Development. "Our support for Maritime Pride Eggs will help create jobs, which in turn, will have a positive economic impact on a rural area of the province."

The Office of Economic Development will support the company's centralization with a loan of $1.4 million, interest-free over three years. The company can also earn forgiveness on a portion of the principal of the loan if it achieves employment targets. The project will create an estimated $1.6 million in direct and indirect benefits from construction and employment over the first five years.

The new facility will use state-of-the-art egg grading equipment, ensuring Nova Scotia remains competitive in a traditional industry. The project will also incorporate a new processing plant, capable of producing high quality, value-added liquid egg products for the consumer market. This facility will be the first of its kind in Atlantic Canada.

"This is good news for egg producers in Nova Scotia and throughout the Maritime provinces," said Mr. Fage. "This is an investment in the future of the egg industry of this region.

"Our producer-owned company has an open door policy," said Hans Kristensen, chief executive officer of Maritime Pride Eggs Inc. "We are capable of offering a cost-competitive alternative to any producer in the Maritimes."

Maritime Pride Eggs is the largest supplier of table eggs in Atlantic Canada and the dominant marketer of speciality egg lines such as Free Run and Omega Eggs. The company currently owns and operates two egg grading stations in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

Construction of the new Amherst facility will start April 15 with operations expected to begin November 1, 2006.