Construction on a $30 million flax processing plant on the east side of Brandon has begun.


British Columbia based Shape Foods broke ground last week.


C.E.O. Glen Vanderhaeghe says initially flax  oil and meal will be produced for the grocery trade.


Eventually the facility will be expand to make an oil sunflower blend for baking, and an oil sunflower olive oil blend.


Grain for the plant will be sourced through Edible Oils which will get the vast majority of it from the 20 or so growers who invested in the facility.


The plant is expected to be operational by June 2007, and at full capacity 5 years down the line will require 27,000 tonnes of flax and sunflower annually.