Lactalis Canada to Shut Down Sudbury Plant-Based Beverage Facility in December

Lactalis Canada has announced the closure of its plant-based beverage facility in Sudbury, Ontario, by December 12, 2025. The decision to cease operations, affecting approximately 25 employees, is attributed to economic pressures and changing market dynamics. The site had been converted from dairy to plant-based production in June 2024 following a $1.4 million investment from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, but ongoing financial viability issues led to the shutdown.

Originally opened in 1962, the Sudbury facility served as a distribution and production center for Lactalis fluid milk products. Its closure in 2022 for renovations and retooling to accommodate plant-based beverages marked Lactalis Canada’s foray into the plant-based sector, which is now coming to an end. While details on employee relocation or reassignment were not provided, the company expressed gratitude to staff and local partners for their contributions and support throughout its time in the Sudbury community.