Canadian food group Maple Leaf Foods has entered into a deal to sell its turkey growing operations.
Maple Leaf will sell its commercial turkey farms to Ernald Enterprises, which operates five turkey and chicken growing operations in southern Ontario. Its breeder farms and hatchery operation will be sold to Cuddy Farms, a global leader in the sale and production of turkey eggs and poults.
The company said the disposals will allow it to focus on, and direct capital to, growth and innovation in its valued-added turkey processing business.
The transaction ensures a long-term supply of high quality turkeys at competitive prices,” said Maple Leaf CEO Michael McCain.
Maple Leaf’s turkey growing operations employ around 100 staff in southern Ontario. They include a hatchery and six breeder farms that supply turkey eggs and poults to domestic and international markets and six commercial farms that supply market-ready live birds to Maple Leaf’s turkey processing facility in Thamesford in the province.
The terms of the transaction include a long-term supply of live birds to Maple Leaf from Ernald Enterprises. The vast majority of employees will transition to Ernald Enterprises and Cuddy Farms once the transactions close, Maple Leaf said.
