Alberta’s dairy sector has reached another milestone with Saputo Dairy Products Canada G.P. securing conditional approval for the province’s Agri-Processing Investment Tax Credit (APITC). The company is investing more than $38 million at its Edmonton facility, marking the first time a partnership has qualified for the program.
Boost for Alberta Dairy
In 2024, Alberta produced 848 million litres of milk, ranking third in the country. The industry supports 2,400 jobs and generated $2 billion in sales last year—an almost 12% increase from 2023. Dairy products now account for more than 8% of Alberta’s food manufacturing revenue.
Saputo’s Edmonton project will expand production capacity, upgrade equipment, and introduce new safety measures to benefit both workers and consumers.
First Partnership Approval
The APITC was introduced in 2023 to spur investment in food and bio-processing. It provides a 12% non-refundable tax credit to corporations or partnerships that invest at least $10 million in new or expanded facilities. Saputo’s conditional approval, worth an estimated $4.5 million, is the first since legislative changes allowed partnerships to apply as a single entity.
“This milestone shows Alberta’s competitive edge in attracting investment from agri-food processors of all kinds,” said RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation.
Industry Commitment
Saputo executives say the expansion will position the company to better meet consumer demand. “Our Edmonton facility is on track to operate more efficiently and respond to the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s consumers,” said Louise Wagar, vice-president of operations.
Key Facts
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Saputo is one of Canada’s largest cheese manufacturers and a major processor of milk and cream.
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Alberta dairy production reached 848 million litres in 2024.
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Dairy processing sales rose to $2 billion in 2024, up 11.9% from the year before.
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Dairy products represented 8.3% of Alberta’s total food manufacturing sales.
