Workers in Cobourg are facing job losses as Post Holdings, a U.S.-based food company, announced plans to shut down its cereal production facility by the end of 2025.
The company confirmed the Cobourg location and another plant in Sparks, Nevada, will close in response to a shrinking demand for ready-to-eat cereals. Together, the two plants employ about 300 people. Post said affected employees have been notified.
“This was a difficult but necessary step to better use our manufacturing network,” said Post Consumer Brands CEO Nicolas Catoggio in a statement. “The cereal category continues to decline, and we must adjust.”
The Cobourg facility became part of Post Consumer Brands in 2017 through its acquisition of Weetabix. Since then, it has remained a major local employer.
Post estimates it will spend up to $67.5 million in costs to close and shift production to other sites, but expects annual savings of up to $23 million starting in 2026. The company also plans additional capital investments of up to $7 million to support the transfer of operations.
The news is a major blow to the Cobourg community, where the economic impact of the closure could ripple across families and local businesses.
Post has not announced specific plans for worker transition support in Cobourg.
We’ve reached out to Post Consumer Brands for comment and will provide more details as they become available.
(Written by: Joseph Goden with files from John Brenner)
