Dairy coop Agropur expanding production in Bedford, N.S., scaling down work in Sussex, N.B.

A picture of the Agropur Dairy Cooperative plant in Truro, N.S., on June 17, 2022. (CTV Atlantic/ Carl Pomeroy)

Dairy cooperative Agropur is planning to expand its production in Bedford, N.S., and Miramichi, N.B., while also winding down operations in Truro, N.S., and Sussex, N.B.

Agropur, which is the largest dairy cooperative in Canada, said it is spending nearly $1 billion to update equipment with new technologies and automation at its Bedford and Beauceville, Que., plants.

“In addition to strengthening our market competitiveness, these projects will support the creation of more than 90 skilled regional jobs, with over 60 positions in Beauceville and nearly 30 in Bedford,” said CEO Émile Cordeau in a news release.

Both projects are subject to final approval by the end of the year.

In a separate news release, the Nova Scotia government said Agropur employs more than 400 Nova Scotians at its Bedford and Truro sites.

“Nova Scotia is a great choice for Agropur’s expansion,” said Premier Tim Houston in the release. “Agropur’s strong commitments to market diversification and growth align with our government’s plan to grow our economy and support the success of our people.”

Agropur also announced it was spending $20 million on its Miramichi plant. The New Brunswick government is supporting them with a $2.4-million non-repayable contribution to modernize the plant and expand its milk processing capacity.

“This project will help ensure Agropur’s long‑term presence in the province and is expected to create more than 15 new skilled jobs in Miramichi,” the release reads.

In an email to CTV News Atlantic. Agropur said it is reorganizing its operations at its Truro and Sussex plants. Both sites will be scaled down and will ultimately cease production when the Bedford plant is fully operational, which is expected to be by the end of 2028.

The Nova Scotia government said Agropur spent $34 million on its Truro plant in 2022.

More to come…