MISSISSAUGUA, ONTARIO – Maple Leaf Foods announced the completion of its sale of the company’s poultry processing plant in Drummondville, Quebec, to St. Cuthbert, Quebec-based Giannone Poultry.

As part of the sale, Maple Leaf Foods and Giannone reached a three-year supply agreement that will allow Maple Leaf to maintain its supply of fresh chicken. “The completion of this transaction is part of Maple Leaf Foods' overall network optimization strategy,” the company said.

“Core to Maple Leaf’s strategy is sustainable and value-added meat protein products,” said Michael McCain, president and chief executive officer of Maple Leaf Foods, when the sale was announced. “Over the past few years, our leadership position in this category has grown; however, we are focused on prioritizing capital and optimizing our processing network. The sale of the Drummondville facility is an outcome of our continued network optimization.”

As part of the purchase of select Cericola Farms assets in 2018, Maple Leaf acquired the processing plant in Drummondville as well as a plant in Bradford, Ontario. The two facilities processed approximately 70.5 million lbs of chickens annually. Following this sale, Maple Leaf Foods will continue to own and operate the Bradford poultry plant.