Electricity prices could drive
Casco from Eastern Ontario

CARDINAL — Ingredion Canada Inc., formerly known as Casco, may close up shop in Cardinal because of high electricity prices.

While nothing is confirmed, the company, near Morrisburg, has "a few irons in the fire" with respect to options, said former Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) chair and Stittsville crop farmer Don Kenny. Leaving "wouldn’t be good for corn producers. Anything we can do to keep the plant there is vital."

GFO sent a letter to the Ontario government last month asking the province to give the company a break on its hydro bill.

"If they leave, this will be a huge hit to Eastern Ontario farmers," said one Eastern Ontario farmer.

Kenny agreed. A corn grower who has a contract with Ingredion will have to think about his options if the company leaves town, he explained. Does the farmer continue growing corn and find a new buyer, or switch to other crops?

Ingredion’s Cardinal location takes in 40 tonnes of corn every day it is open, which is at least 325 days a year, Kenny said. Ingredion Canada specializes in corn sweeteners, starches and nutrition ingredients. The company, with head office in Chicago, operates in more than 40 countries with more than 10,000 employees.