Growing love of cheese prompts P.E.I. dairy expansion

ADL is planning an expansion of its operation in Summerside, in part to meet a growing demand for cheese.

CEO Jim Bradley told CBC Radio's Island Morning consumer tastes have changed in the last few years, leading to a higher demand for dairy products.

It's great to see the confidence the farm community.- Jim Bradley, ADL

"Some of the timidness that was in people's diets before about the consumption of dairy fat has gone away with some news lately that dairy fat is an acceptable or even recommended component of people's diets," said Bradley.

"It's really driven the demand."

A connected trend is a growing interest in different kinds of cheese, with many fridges now stocking four or five different kinds of cheeses rather than just the standard cheddar.

Growing dairy production

Farmers on P.E.I. are already responding to this trend, said Bradley.

Milk production on P.E.I. is up 10 per cent since 2014.

It's going to take more people to process that product.- Jim Bradley, ADL

"As you drive through the countryside I think you can pick out a number of dairy farms who have spent a lot of money on barns and new equipment, growing and expanding their operations," said Bradley.

"I think it's great to see the confidence the farm community has."

ADL is moving to increase production so it can handle that supply, said Bradley.

Planning underway

ADL has already purchased land around its Summerside plant and has submitted rezoning applications.

It plans to build a new storage facility and convert some of its current storage to production. Bradley said it will almost certainly mean new jobs.

"We're looking at significant growth in our planned production and it's going to take more people to process that product," he said.

Bradley said the company would be looking into what government programs are available to help with the expansion. The cost of the expansion is still being worked out, but will likely be about $2 million.

Work will likely begin on the expansion this fall, said Bradley, with most of it happening in 2017.

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