Richardson International has announced a major expansion at its canola processing plant.

The Saskatchewan government is welcoming Richardson’s decision to double processing capacity at its canola crush plant in Yorkton, which will make it the largest in Canada.

Agriculture minister David Marit says the expansion will help Saskatchewan meet the goals outlined in the province’s growth Plan, which includes a target to crush 75 percent of the canola in Saskatchewan.

He says the plant will double in capacity to 2.2 million tons and boost farm prices.

Construction is to begin immediately and be completed in 2024.