Nortera to close Lethbridge, Alta., processing plant in June

Nortera Foods, which operates a Lethbridge vegetable processing plant, announced this week the facility will close in June, axing 70 workers and putting pressure on dozens of local producers. (Pexels/Alejandro Barrón)

Nortera, a multi-national frozen and canned vegetable processor, has announced the closure of its Lethbridge, Alta., facility.

The decision was made because of increased competition in the market, which is “challenged by international imports.”

Because of this, Nortera said the Lethbridge facility will shut down in June.

• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App

“Closing a facility is never an easy decision, especially given the dedication of our Lethbridge team,” said Hugo Boisvert, CEO of Nortera, in a news release this week.

“Current market pressures have made it essential for us to consolidate our operations.”

The company says 70 employees will be affected by the closure, but many southern Alberta farmers will also be affected.

“Nortera is deeply grateful for the high-quality produce and the strong partnerships they have shared with the Lethbridge agricultural community over the years,” the release said.

One of those producers, Johnson Taber Corn and Potatoes, said Friday the closure is “devastating news.”

“(This is) affecting many jobs and family farms, including ours, scrambling to figure out what we are going to grow to replace all those vegetable acres with,” the company said in a Facebook post.

“That is why we are asking everyone to support your local farmers.”

Nortera is North America’s leading processor of frozen and canned vegetables.

It operates 13 plants in Canada and the U.S., which produce more than 400,000 tonnes of vegetables each year with the support of 550 agricultural partners.

It produces vegetables for major private labels and retail brands as well as its own brands that include Arctic Gardens and Del Monte.