The federal and Ontario governments are investing nearly $22 million to help more than 130 agri-food businesses expand into domestic and international markets, build production capacity and become more resilient, Farms.com reported. The funding was announced on 13 October in Waterloo.
It comes through the Market Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative and is expected to support 925 jobs across the province and to leverage private spending, for up to $134 million in total investment for Ontario farmers and food processors. The initiative is part of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year, $3.5-billion federal, provincial and territorial commitment, and supports the Grow Ontario Strategy's goal of raising Ontario agri-food exports by 8% a year by 2032.
Projects include up to $499,000 for Martin's Family Farm in Waterloo to develop an applesauce packaging line, and up to $70,000 for Beck's Broth in Kitchener to launch new products and widen national distribution. In northern Ontario, Lynch Ag Ltd. of Englehart has been approved for up to $494,000 for a handling line, an optical sorter and AI-enabled grading software to support more interprovincial and export sales. Canada Royal Milk in Kingston will receive up to $310,000 for packaging and processing equipment to diversify beyond Canadian retail.
"We are laser-focused on expanding markets and trade opportunities for Ontario farmers and agribusinesses," said Sam Oosterhoff, Ontario's Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, who said the programme was protecting agri-food jobs in the face of US tariffs and unlocking more than $110 million in private investment.
The initiative is run by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, and approved projects must be completed by 15 October 2027.
Photo: Pkvan / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Source: Farms.com
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