AgriMarketing Grants for Export Market Development

UPDATE: The AgriMarketing program is now closed and not processing new applications. All applicants, even agricultural producers and processors are encouraged to use the CanExport program for all new applications. 

Canada’s agriculture and agri-food industry is one of the country’s top export-oriented sectors. In 2016 alone, Canadian companies exported nearly $56 billion in products internationally and this figure is expected to continue growing as more agriculture and agri-food businesses join international markets.

Fortunately for food businesses, Canadian government funding is available to support the exploration and expansion of export markets. Through the AgriMarketing export market grant, food producers and processors may receive grants to offset trade show and other market development costs.

AgriMarketing provides Canadian agriculture and agri-food businesses with up to 50% of export project costs to a maximum $50,000 per year.

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis and will be reviewed until September 30, 2022 (or until funding has been fully committed). Companies should consider submitting applications up to three months before international trade shows or events and secure approval prior to incurring project-related costs.

AgriMarketing Grants for Agriculture Producers and Processors

AgriMarketing is an export marketing grant which helps Canadian agriculture, agri-food, and agri-product businesses promote and differentiate their products internationally. Its funding supports a portion of costs related to export markets development projects, including participation in trade shows and top industry events.

Through the AgriMarketing program, Canadian agri-businesses may receive up to 50% of project costs to a maximum $50,000 per year.

AgriMarketing is one of the many streams of funding support provided through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP). CAP is a five-year framework providing Canadian government funding for agricultural-focused projects. Export market development is included in this framework, which is the basis for AgriMarketing’s support.

Searching for export events? Discover how to find export trade shows in 2018.

Projects Eligible for AgriMarketing Funding Support

The AgriMarketing program is uniquely positioned to support marketing projects which spur growth in international markets. Specifically, the program prioritizes projects which:

• Grow and expand international markets (new or previously established);
• Address issues of market access;
• Support the sector’s marketing strategies (such as taking advantage of new products/export market opportunities); and
• Occur in priority international markets for the business’ given sector.

Activities Supported through AgriMarketing Grants

Business development activities that can be included for government export grants include:

• Participation in export trade shows to inform buyers/customers on the product;
• Participation in government-led trade missions;
• Targeted marketing and advertising;
• Food service promotions and product demonstrations;
• Technical training for buyers about products/product handling;
• Developing market strategies; and
• Accessing in-market expertise.

AgriMarketing Export Marketing Grants: Applicant Eligibility

Through the AgriMarketing Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) stream, companies may receive government export grants if they:

• Are a for-profit business, co-operative, or Indigenous group; and
• Produce or process agriculture, agri-food, and agri-products (including fish and seafood);
• Are directly involved in growing, harvesting, processing, transforming, or consolidating agriculture/agri-food/agri-products;
• Are independently incorporated
• Maintain fewer than 250 employees;
• Earn less than $50 million in global annual revenues;
• Complete export market research;
• Are ready to export and enter new markets; and
• Are capable of entering a legally binding agreement with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC).

AgriMarketing Success Stories

Some recent stories of businesses successfully using AgriMarketing export market development grants include:

• AgriMarketing Export Grants Help Canadian Potatoes Reach New Markets
• AgriMarketing Export Expansion Grants Help Bio-K Plus Enter US Markets

How to Apply for AgriMarketing International Tradeshow Grants

To access AgriMarketing market development grants, businesses are required to submit a comprehensive application package including a:

• Complete and accurate application form;
• Budget and Project Work Plan; and
• Supporting documents (such as an export market plan) to provide project context.

How will Applications be Reviewed?

Some of the top performance indicators used to review applications include:

• Number of new export markets explored;
• Value of activities supported;
• Increase in export revenues; and
• Activity-specific results (such as new leads or sales acquired).

Apply for AgriMarketing Food Exporting Grants

AgriMarketing applications should be submitted no later than 75 days prior to a business’ first trade show or marketing activity receiving funding. This will allow for your application to be reviewed prior to incurring project expenses.

If you would like to explore your eligibility for AgriMarketing grants, or want to learn how to optimize the application process, please contact Mentor Works. 

 

Posted: October 26, 2016 by Jeff Shepherd. Updated: March 9, 2018 by Jeff Shepherd