Home News & Resources Port of Hamilton Welcomes New SucroCan Sugar Refinery
Sucro Can Canada has opened a $135-million sugar refinery at the Port of Hamilton, adding major processing capacity and supporting supply chains across Ontario’s food manufacturing sector. The facility strengthens Canada’s agri-food industry and domestic refining capacity.
May 8, 2026
A new sugar refinery at the Port of Hamilton is now operational, marking a significant addition to Canada’s agri-food infrastructure. Developed by Sucro Can Canada in partnership with the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA), the $135-million facility is designed to expand domestic processing capacity and support long-term supply chain reliability across the food manufacturing sector.
Located at Pier 15, the refinery introduces new industrial-scale capacity to Canada’s sugar market. Designed to scale over time, the facility is expected to reach up to one million metric tonnes of annual refining capacity, positioning it as the largest sugar refinery in the country as operations continue to ramp up.
Sugar demand remains strong, particularly in Ontario, where a large concentration of food and beverage manufacturers rely on stable input supply. The addition of new refining capacity helps address this demand while strengthening Canada’s domestic production base.
Aerial view of SucroCan's new sugar refinery at the Port of Hamilton (Photo credit: HOPA Ports)
The refinery has been purpose-built to receive raw sugar by vessel and distribute refined products efficiently to customers across Ontario, Quebec, and the U.S. Midwest.
Its location at the Port of Hamilton provides direct access to marine, rail, and highway transportation, allowing for streamlined movement of goods. Situated within a day’s drive of more than 140 million consumers, the facility is well-positioned to serve key markets while reducing reliance on distant or constrained supply sources.
The opening of the refinery reflects more than a decade of collaboration between Sucro Can and HOPA Ports. Sucro Can first established operations at the port in 2014 at Pier 10, laying the groundwork for its Canadian refining presence.
The expansion to Pier 15, formalized in 2023, represents the next phase of that growth. Construction began in April 2024 and was completed in April 2026, delivering a modern facility designed to evolve alongside market demand.
The refinery currently employs approximately 65 skilled workers, with additional employment expected as production capacity increases. Operations include both dry and liquid refined sugar, packaged for industrial food manufacturing customers.
As production scales, the facility is anticipated to support ongoing industrial activity at the port and contribute to broader economic growth across the region.
About 85% of sugar used in Canada is consumed by food manufacturers, making reliable refining capacity an essential component of the national agri-food system.
The new facility supports this ecosystem by improving supply stability and creating a stronger domestic alternative for manufacturers. It also complements existing infrastructure at the Port of Hamilton, including grain handling, liquid food-grade logistics, and other processing operations.
The refinery has been designed with long-term growth in mind. Production volumes are expected to increase year over year, with vessel traffic scaling as operations expand.
Over time, the facility may also adapt to changing market needs, including the potential for additional product types such as organic sugar. This flexibility supports its role as a long-term asset within Canada’s food supply chain.
HOPA operates an integrated port network across Hamilton, Oshawa, and Niagara, supporting the movement of goods and the development of industrial lands.
By investing in transportation infrastructure and working closely with private sector partners, HOPA enables projects that strengthen supply chains and support economic activity across Ontario. The organization oversees more than 1,400 acres and works with over 160 tenant companies connected to tens of thousands of jobs.
