Ontario aims to grow agri-food exports with Super-Pufft Snacks investment

By Douglas Yu

- Last updated on GMT

Pictured (left to right), Ontario Provincial Parliament member Amrit Mangat, Super-Pufft Snacks Corp president & CEO and Yousif Al-Ali, and Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Jeff Leal
Pictured (left to right), Ontario Provincial Parliament member Amrit Mangat, Super-Pufft Snacks Corp president & CEO and Yousif Al-Ali, and Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Jeff Leal
Ontario is set to invest in food manufacturer Super-Pufft Snacks in a bid to strengthen the region’s agri-food exports

The province is planning to contribute $1m through the Food and Beverage Growth Fund towards the purchase and installation of a canister crisp line for the Mississauga-based snack company, with Super-Pufft Snacks investing a further $9m in the line.

“The new line will allow Super-Pufft to double its production capacity and capitalize on new export opportunities – with 90% of sales of the new products destined for export markets,”​ said Ontario’s Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), adding the government’s investment would contribute to the economy, generate more jobs and support the agri-food sector.

“Thirty-four jobs will be created and 304 retained as a result of this project,”​ said OMAFRA.

Value-added products

Super-Pufft Snacks president and CEO Yousif Al-Ali told BakeryandSnacks that support from the provincial government would enhance the company’s ability to grow its processing and packaging capabilities. He added that, as Ontario’s agri-food export market grew, Super-Pufft Snacks would focus on delivering value-added products, including raw materials, packaging, and finishing goods.

“Ontario is demonstrating to a global audience that it has businesses and leaders that can deliver quality and competitive products not only for local but international distribution and consumption,”​ he said.

Ontario has 52,000 farms and is home to Canada’s largest food processing sector, which accounts for 3,300 businesses, according to OMAFRA. The provinces’ agri-food sector supports more than 781,000 jobs and contributes $35bn to the province’s GDP.

“The collaborative nature between the government and industry is a key to the agri-food sector’s success,” ​said the ministry. "When the sector prospers, it supports new opportunities for economic development and creates new jobs, both locally and across the entire province.​”

OMAFRA said part of its economic plan is to seek out opportunities to increase exports, while also working to replace imports.

Trade mission

Efforts have included a trade mission to China, which is Ontario’s second largest agri-food export market after the US, and sending a Canadian delegation to Atlanta in June for the negotiations for the Trans-Pacific agreement (TPP).

“Our government recognizes the need to be active trading partners and take advantage of the opportunities trade agreements like TPP create,”​ said OMAFRA.

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