The Market Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative to support Ontario’s farmers, food processors and agribusiness expansion into new and international markets.
Why it matters: Funding market development, product diversification, and technology investments to increase sales competitiveness ensures the long-term viability of Ontario’s agriculture sector.
The recently announced $20 million Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership federal and provincial investment will support projects that increase global sales competitiveness as part of Ontario’s ongoing Grow Ontario Strategy to provide the tools for long-term resiliency within the agricultural sector.
“Ontario farmers produce some of the highest quality food and agricultural products in the world,” said Drew Spoelstra, Ontario Federation of Agriculture president, in a news release. “Creating and strengthening reliable markets for our products has never been more important, both at the local level and globally.”
The Initiative supports projects aimed at increasing Ontario farmers and agribusinesses’ domestic and international sales and strengthening production capacity through three funding streams:
Market development and diversification implementation planning supporting market development and diversification in new or expanded markets.
Implement market development and diversification for new products and broader marketing strategies development.
Implementation of equipment and technology investments to support diversified products and tailored to meet new market-entry requirements.
Its cost-share formula will cover a proportion of approved project costs, with the maximum eligible funding per project varying by proposal type.
For example, export development projects targeting non-U.S. markets could access increased support, although projects addressing U.S. markets are eligible.
“As the largest manufacturing sector by employment in Ontario, food and beverage processing comprises over 4,000 companies, 90 per cent of which are small businesses said Chris Conway, Food & Beverage Ontario CEO, in a news release. “The creation of this fund highlights the need to increase competitiveness and encourage expansion into new markets. This will help ensure an ongoing viable processing sector in Ontario.”
Federal and provincial agriculture ministers Heath MacDonald and Trevor Jones agree that expanding Ontario’s access to reliable export markets is critical for farmers and food processors to build long-term resiliency, create good-paying jobs and stay competitive in the face of tariffs and economic uncertainty.
“We are building a stronger, more resilient future for agriculture by improving market access and leveraging our shared strengths,” said MacDonald, in a release.
Application intake opens February 17 and closes March 17, with more information available online.
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