Parrish & Heimbecker, Limited (P&H) is moving ahead with a new export facility in Surrey, B.C., after Fraser Grain Terminal received Vancouver Fraser Port Authority permit approval last week.

The company says exports of Canadian grain and specialty crops to growing markets in China and south east Asia continue to increase and the new export facility will address two major constraints, those being limited western Canada rail capacity, and a shortage of port industrial land for grain handling.

"P&H has grown substantially to support Canadian farmers and overseas customer demands. This project demonstrates our unwavering investment in the supply chain to build strong business relationships with customers around the world," says Casey McCawley, Vice President of West Coast Operations for P&H.

Once complete, Fraser Grain Terminal will provide 4 million tonnes of terminal capacity per year.

"This project will bring economic gains for farmers in Manitoba," said Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler. "With so much of our grain exports going to Asia, anything that improves the speed of delivery is good for all Canadians."

Construction is planned to start late this year and will take approximately two years to complete.