Canada Invests $1.63m to Boost Halal Beef Production in Atlantic Region
Atlantic Beef Products (ABPI) will expand its halal beef processing capacity after receiving up to CAD 2.26 million (around USD 1.63 million) in federal funding through Canada’s Kosher and Halal Investment Programme.
The funding will be used to upgrade processing and packaging technologies at ABPI’s federally registered beef facility in Albany, Prince Edward Island. These improvements aim to enhance efficiency, increase meat yield, reduce food waste, and broaden the supply of halal-certified, retail-ready beef products for the Canadian market.
The investment responds to rising consumer demand for locally processed foods that meet cultural and dietary needs. Halal products are experiencing steady growth across both retail and foodservice sectors, creating new opportunities for domestic meat processors.
According to Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald, the project reflects the government’s commitment to supporting innovation, strengthening regional economies, and encouraging Canadians to purchase domestically produced food with confidence.
The upgrade will include new steam vacuum systems to improve sanitation, advanced recovery equipment to optimize yields, modern packaging solutions for a wider halal product range, and an in-line X-ray analyzer to enhance fat-content accuracy and food safety.
ABPI president and CEO Russ Mallard said the funding will allow the company to better serve its expanding halal customer base nationwide, while maintaining strict halal certification standards through in-house processing and packaging.
The project also aligns with Canada’s Buy Canadian Policy, which prioritizes domestic suppliers in federal procurement and aims to strengthen food system resilience while improving access to culturally inclusive products.
ABPI is currently the only federally registered beef processor east of Quebec, handling up to 750 cattle weekly. Established in 2003, the company employs about 180 people and sources cattle from Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.
Industry observers view the investment as a significant move toward expanding halal processing capacity in Atlantic Canada while supporting local producers and meeting growing consumer demand.
Source:
FoodBev Media. (2026). Atlantic Beef Products secures CAD 2.26m federal investment to expand halal processing capacity. https://www.foodbev.com/news/atlantic-beef-products-secures-cad-2-26m-federal-investment-to-expand-halal-processing-capacity/
