The governments of Canada and Ontario have committed $20 million to support farmers, food processors, and agribusinesses to sell more Ontario-grown products around the world.
The funding comes through the new Market Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative that will fund a variety of projects to increase competitiveness for farmers and agribusinesses, and support their expansion into new and international markets as part of the provincial government’s plan to protect Ontario’s agribusiness sector.
As part of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the investment supports the province's Grow Ontario Strategy to give farmers and businesses the tools they need to build long-term resiliency, create good-paying jobs and stay competitive in the face of tariffs and economic uncertainty, says a joint release from both governments.
“Expanding markets for Ontario food products ensures farmers and food processors have more reliable export opportunities,” says federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Heath MacDonald. “We are building a stronger, more resilient future for agriculture by improving market access and leveraging our shared strengths.”
Trevor Jones, Ontario's Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, says that "this investment will help our local farmers and agribusinesses sell more products grown in Ontario to markets around the world."
The Market Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative will open for applications on February 17, 2026. It offers three funding streams to help Ontario farmers and agribusinesses expand domestic and international sales and strengthen production capacity:
- Market development and diversification implementation planning: supporting preparation and planning for market development and diversification in new or expanded markets.
- Implement market development and diversification: supporting the development of new products and broader marketing strategies.
- Implementation of equipment and technology: investments such as new production equipment to support diversified products, tailored to meet requirements to enter a new market.
Funding through the initiative will cover a proportion of approved project costs. The cost-share level and the maximum eligible funding amount per project will vary based on the type of proposals submitted. The initiative will offer increased support for export development projects targeting non-U.S. markets as well as provide support for projects in U.S. markets.
