An oat processing facility near Emerson, MB is reaping the benefits of an increased global demand for oats.

When Real Tetrault started up Emerson Milling Inc. (EMI) 30 years ago, he was shipping about two trucks per week.

The company now ships up to 10 railcars of oat groats per week into the US and Mexico, in addition to a number of truck shipments. About 95 per cent of EMI's products are exported.

Tetrault believes market demand won't be slowing down anytime soon.

Real Tetrault - President & CEO of Emerson Milling Inc.

"We're looking at the trade deal that Canada signed with Europe (CETA). We think there might be some opportunity there for some oat groats to go into Europe," he said. "The whole world is really looking at oats in a new light as a healthy food. The Asian market is growing crazy, but Australia is right there so we have to be concerned about that. We're looking at Mexico continuing to grow, we're looking at South America continuing to grow. I think there's lots of opportunity out there."

As one example, Tetrault says their buyer in Mexico is part of a government program which encourages youth to attend school in exchange for a healthy food package which contains oats.

He adds Manitoba oats are in high demand compared to other regions due to the province's high beta glucan levels.

Emerson milling will be constructing a new processing facility south of Letellier, as part of a new inland port being developed by Tetrault.

Emerson Milling is located just north of Emerson on the east side of the Red River. The company will be constructing a new processing plant south of Letellier in the next year or two, with plans to move the entire facility to the west side of the river. Photo Submitted.