New Supply Management Processing Investment Fund (SMPIF) to Support Agri-processors

Canadian agri-food processors, who are being affected by the fluctuations of international trade, are receiving support through the Supply Management Processing Investment Fund (SMPIF). Investing in new automated equipment and technology can improve productivity and efficiency for processors of supply-managed commodities. This process of capital and technology adoption is being supplemented through the SMPIF program.

“Our government strongly supports supply-managed sectors and, as promised, we are rolling out various programs to compensate producers and processors who have lost market share further to trade agreements. Today, we are announcing the terms of support for dairy, poultry, and egg processors to promote investment in their operations and thereby improve their competitiveness and resilience.”

-The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

This program makes a direct impact on production while lowering labour costs, addressing labour shortages, and accelerating automation adoption, in addition to leveraging private investments in processing plants.

Amount of Funding

Successful applicants for the Supply Management Processing Investment Fund may receive support up to 50% of project expenses (for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with under 500 employees), or up to 25% for organizations that have upwards of 500 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees. Funding through SMPIF may provide a maximum of $5 million per successful application.

“Canada’s supply-managed dairy, poultry and egg farmers are part of the backbone of rural regions from across Canada. With the launch of the Supply Management Processing Investment Fund, the Government of Canada is providing critical investments to accelerate the adoption of new automated equipment and technology for processors to improve their productivity and efficiency, and in turn increase their competitiveness and resilience.”

-Francis Drouin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Applicant Eligibility

The SMPIF program is open to companies that process supply-managed commodities, including the following:

• Dairy processors;
• Poultry Primary processors (chicken and turkey);
• Poultry Further processors (chicken and turkey);
• Businesses that operate hatcheries (broiler, egg-type, and turkey); and
• Agricultural egg graders and egg processors.

To learn more about this program, visit our program page for the Supply Management Processing Investment Fund (SMPIF).

Eligible Activities

An applicant may be eligible if their projects focus on one or more of these program requirements:

• Increasing automation efficiencies in processing facilities:
  • Improving an existing process by adding automation or robotics;
  • Making improvements to an automation or robotics that are already implemented;
  • Activities associated with implementing a new production line; and
  • Integrating new management software technology.

• Improve the environmental sustainability of the business:
  • Implementing equipment that will reduce water and energy waste and consumption; and
  • Implementing equipment that is crucial to managing and treating a higher volume of wastewater due to increased production.
• Improves the safety and welfare of food products and animals:
  • Creating packaging approaches that are innovative and may increase the shelf life of a product; and
  • Acquiring and installing equipment that can assist in controlling or reducing facility pathogens.

Program Timeline

The Supply Management Processing Investment Fund (SMPIF) has an open intake until funding is fully committed or further announcements are made.

Find Government Funding for Agriculture

The Supply Management Processing Investment Fund (SMPIF) provides a great opportunity for many Canadian agri-food businesses that are interested in scaling up their productions and improving their environmental impact. However, if your business is interested in finding other government funding for agriculture or food and beverage projects, there are more programs available. Visit our Canadian Agribusiness Funding Programs directory to find a library of available programs that are summarized and can be easily filtered.