Canada and Ontario are investing up to $20 million to help farmers, food processors, and agribusinesses expand sales of Ontario grown products in domestic and international markets.
The funding will be delivered through the new Market Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative, aimed at strengthening competitiveness and helping the agri food sector respond to tariffs and ongoing economic uncertainty. The initiative is part of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership and supports Ontario’s Grow Ontario Strategy.
Federal Agriculture and Agri Food Minister Heath MacDonald said expanding markets will provide farmers and processors with more reliable export opportunities while building long term resilience for the sector. Ontario Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness Minister Trevor Jones said the investment will help local producers reach new customers and continue driving the province’s nearly $52 billion agri food industry.
The initiative will support projects through three funding streams, including market development and diversification planning, implementation of new products and marketing strategies, and investments in equipment and technology needed to enter new markets. Increased support will be available for export development targeting non U.S. markets, while projects focused on the United States will also remain eligible.
Funding will cover a portion of approved project costs, with cost share levels and maximum funding amounts varying by project type.
Applications open February 17, 2026, and close March 17, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness will deliver the program.
The funding is part of the five year, $3.5 billion Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a joint federal provincial territorial effort to strengthen innovation, competitiveness, and resiliency across Canada’s agriculture and agri food sector.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
