Minister MacAulay announces AgriMarketing funding

Nov 07, 2023

He made the announcement during a trip to Asia

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

A federal program designed to help Canadian ag products make their way around the world is receiving government support.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay announced more than $23 million in funding for the AgriMarketing Program.

The program, available through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, supports the ag sector as it works to increase and diversify international exports and take advantage of domestic opportunities.

“My goal is to continue to grow our exports, and that starts with opening markets and creating opportunities for our hardworking Canadian farmers,” MacAulay said in a statement.

Great connecting with industry partners, importers, and retailers in Korea whose trust in high-quality Canadian foods is key to strengthening our trade ties. Thank you for choosing Canada as your supplier of choice! pic.twitter.com/lDdXVK8IV8
— Lawrence MacAulay (@L_MacAulay) November 3, 2023

When MacAulay became ag minister in 2015, Canada’s annual ag exports were about $56 billion. In 2022, Canda exported almost $93 billion of agriculture and fish products.

The government originally set a goal of achieving $75 billion of annual ag exports by 2025.

The minister made the announcement in Seoul, South Korea as part of a trip to Asia that included stops in Vietnam and Japan.

Representatives from more than 160 organizations, including 17 from the ag sector, also attended the trip.

The Canadian Cattle Association was among them.

“Making connections and exploring ways to grow #CdnBeef exports to #Japan were key highlights from meetings with customers and networking events,” the organization said on its Facebook page.

Video: Home Grown Ontario Tulips

Ontario’s flower sector is blooming ??

With more than $1 billion in farmgate sales and over $650 million in annual exports—much of it centred in the Niagara region—Ontario growers are a major force in Canada’s floriculture industry. In fact, the province produces roughly 50% of all flowers grown in the country, serving a market of over 100 million consumers within a one-day drive.

It’s a powerful example of how strategic location, cross-border access, and strong production capacity come together to support both local agriculture and global markets ??

?? Watch as Andrew Morse, Executive Director of Flowers Canada, shares insights and the full story behind Ontario’s tulip industry and its thriving flower sector.