Scotian Gold gets $2-million loan

Scotian Gold Co-operative Limited, Eastern Canada's largest apple packing and storage operation, will modernize and expand to better service apple growers and buyers here and around the world, with the help of provincial assistance.

An Oct. 2 media release says the province will provide a $2-million loan, through the Industrial Expansion Fund, to Scotian Gold, established more than 50 years ago in Coldbrook, to increase productivity and efficiency to meet a worldwide demand for a high-quality, premium-priced product. The investment will also help maintain 75 jobs with a payroll of $2.8 million.

"Scotian Gold is an asset to the agriculture industry in Nova Scotia," said Minister of Agriculture Brooke Taylor. "This well-established, rural producer-owned co-operative has made a significant contribution to this industry in Eastern Canada and it continues to grow and thrive."

Scotian Gold generated $17 million in gross sales in 2007 and, during the last six years, capacity has been increased through planting premium apple varieties and higher yielding orchard systems by progressive growers in Annapolis Valley.

"This is an investment in a Nova Scotia success story," said Minister of Economic Development Angus MacIsaac. "The province is helping this essential co-operative diversify, increase productivity and expand its export markets while contributing to the growth and sustainability of the industry."

Apple packing to pre-sorting system

The expansion involves converting the apple packing system to a new pre-sorting system. It will increase capacity, provide quicker turnaround time on orders, consistent quality sizing of graded apples, as well as expand markets for high-quality apples. The new technologies could potentially expand the entire apple industry in Nova Scotia.

"We have a committed group of progressive growers who have invested heavily in new orchard systems that are yielding increased production of high quality and premium apples," said David Cudmore, president and CEO of Scotian Gold. "This significant expansion and modernizing of the facility provides the needed infrastructure to move our industry forward."