Investment is expected to create jobs and strengthen Ontario’s food supply chain. Lisa-Blue/E+ photo
The federal and Ontario governments are investing nearly $22 million to help more than 130 agri-food businesses expand into domestic and international markets, strengthen production capacity, and improve the long-term resilience of the sector.
Announced October 13, 2026, in Waterloo, the funding is being delivered through the Market Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative and is expected to support the creation of 925 jobs across the province. The investment is also projected to leverage significant private-sector spending, generating up to $134 million in total investment for Ontario farmers and food processors.
The initiative is part of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership and supports goals outlined in Ontario’s Grow Ontario Strategy, which aims to strengthen the province’s food system and increase agri-food exports.
Government officials say the funding is designed to help businesses remain competitive amid economic uncertainty while opening new trade opportunities both within Canada and abroad.
Among the projects receiving support is Martin’s Family Farm in Waterloo, which will receive up to $499,000 to develop an innovative applesauce packaging line. Beck’s Broth in Kitchener is receiving up to $70,000 to launch new products and expand its national distribution network.
In northern Ontario, Lynch Ag Ltd. of Englehart has been approved for up to $494,000 to install a handling line, optical sorter and AI-enabled grading software aimed at supporting increased interprovincial and export sales. Meanwhile, Canada Royal Milk in Kingston will receive up to $310,000 for new packaging and processing equipment intended to help diversify sales beyond Canadian retail markets.
Said Sam Oosterhoff, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness: “We are laser-focused on expanding markets and trade opportunities for Ontario farmers and agribusinesses. The Market Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative is protecting agri-food jobs and agribusiness resilience in the face of unprovoked tariffs from Donald Trump. This $22 million investment is unleashing over $110 million in private sector investment, creating over 900 new good-paying jobs and keeping Ontario’s food supply chain secure, sovereign and self-reliant.”
The province added that the investment also aligns with the Grow Ontario Strategy’s objective of increasing Ontario agri-food exports by eight per cent annually by 2032.
The Market Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative is administered by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. Approved projects must be completed by October 15, 2027.
The broader Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3.5-billion commitment from federal, provincial and territorial governments that supports competitiveness, innovation and resilience throughout Canada’s agriculture and agri-food industries.