Agriculture Minister David Marit, welcomes announcement of a $350-million canola crushing plant for southeast Saskatchewan near Estevan at Northgate.

Marit says the 1.1 million ton Ceres Global Ag plant will give farmers another important option to market their canola.

Marit believes local farmers could see higher prices from the canola crushing plant.

He says the existing crushing facilities provide a premium for farmers and he hopes to see it spread throughout the province.

The crushing plant at Northgate follows announcement of two canola crushing plants to be built near Regina by Viterra and Cargill.

Richardson is also doubling capacity at its facility in Yorkton and Cargill is expanding its plant at Clavet, near Saskatoon.