WINNIPEG, Manitoba – In response to market demand, Cargill announced plans to expand its Elva grain facility in Manitoba.

The facility handles wheat, canola, barley and oats, according to the company. The expansion will increase storage capacity to 24,500 metric tons from 14,500 metric tons. Rail car handling capacity also will increase to 112 cars from 52, according to Cargill.

“We have heard from our customers and to continue to meet their needs we knew we needed to expand in the southwest part of the province,” said Sheldon Spearman, Cargill farm service group manager. “This decision comes from Cargill’s commitment to helping growers prosper by improving access to services for farmers in southwestern Manitoba and southeastern Saskatchewan.”

Construction is scheduled to begin at the end of August. Cargill expects to finish the expansion in time for harvest in 2013. Customers will be able to deliver grain and access the facility during construction, according to the company.