Sunrise Farms invests $100 million in Woodstock, new poultry plant to create 100 jobs

Sunrise Farms has invested $100 million in a new poultry plant in Woodstock. CTV’s Gerry Dewan reports.

Sunrise Farms, a prominent Canadian poultry producer, is set to establish a new processing facility in Woodstock, with a $100 million investment that will create 100 new jobs and bolster the region’s agri-food sector.

The 155,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility was announced Wednesday morning at the Woodstock Economic Development office and is slated for completion by the end of 2027.

The Surrey, B.C.-based company, a family-owned business founded in 1983, selected Woodstock for its strategic location within a key agricultural hub.

“This is the heart of agriculture in southern Ontario. A lot of chicken farmers in this area. And we felt that putting the processing plant in this area would help support that agricultural base,” explained Jase Vanover, Sunrise Farms’ chief financial officer.

The provincial government is supporting this substantial expansion with $4 million in funding through the Invest Ontario Fund. Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli highlighted the province’s commitment to attracting investment.

“To respond to the Trump challenges, we’ve coined a phrase. He has become the ‘Trump accelerator,’” Fedeli stated, emphasizing the proactive measures Ontario is taking to foster economic growth. He noted that the province attracted 750 companies last year, resulting in $35 billion worth of investments, confirming that “Ontario is the right place to do business.”

Woodstock, historically known as the ‘Dairy Capital of Canada,’ has seen its economic identity evolve dramatically over the past two decades, with the automotive industry becoming a cornerstone.

“Here in the city of Woodstock, we recognize we are very automotive based. Toyota put us on the map in 2007, and we’re forever grateful for that kind of commitment from a global company,” Mayor Jerry Acchione said.

However, he stressed the importance of continued diversification, adding, “We are proudly diversifying. We’ve been very actively in the last few years looking at other opportunities.”

Construction has already commenced on the southeast Woodstock property designated for the Sunrise Farms facility. The plant will process poultry under the Sargent Farms brand and will be halal certified, aiming to serve a diverse customer base across Ontario and nationwide.

“We’re looking at this as kind of a beachhead, and we’re hoping to expand our business here,” Vanover told CTV News, indicating the company’s long-term vision for growth.

CEO of Sunrise Farms David Shoore says the project represents the largest greenfield investment in the company’s history and is expected to deliver “substantial economic benefits to the region and reinforce Ontario’s food system.”

This investment is a significant development for Ontario’s robust agri-food sector, which contributes $52 billion in GDP and employs one in nine people provincially. The new facility is poised to enhance domestic supply chains, support local farmers, and strengthen Ontario’s food independence and export capabilities.