There are a few programs that are open for applications at the federal level as well. Some programs that may be of interest are described below.
Market Diversification for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
Targets opportunities in high-growth and non-traditional markets to increase and diversify exports and strengthen interprovincial trade across Canada’s agriculture, agri-food and agri-products sectors (including fish and seafood).
Eligibility:
- You’re one of the following organization types:
- For-profit: Organizations that exist to make a profit.
- Indigenous (First Nation, Inuit, Métis): A First Nation, Inuk (Inuit) or Métis individual or organization.
- You operate in the agriculture, agri-food and agri-products industry, including the fish and seafood industry
- You’re directly involved in growing, harvesting, processing, or otherwise transforming or consolidating your products.
- You have less than 500 full-time equivalent employees
- You demonstrate how the project targets new opportunities in high-growth potential markets and non-traditional markets to increase and diversify exports and strengthen interprovincial trade
- You’re a legal entity capable of entering into legally binding agreements
Further details can be found at AgriMarketing Program: Market Diversification for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises on the Government of Canada website.
Canada Brand
Offers Canadian exporters a free digitally-optimized marketing toolkit and promotional opportunities in international markets to create a unified Canadian presence and increase the global appetite for Canadian products.
Eligibility:
To be eligible you must meet the following qualifications:
- Export-ready, registered Canadian business entity that has a role in producing or promoting Canadian agriculture, food or seafood products.
- Products are grown, raised or harvested, or processed in Canada.
- Produced in accordance with all relevant Canadian regulations related to exports.
Further details can be found at Canada Brand on the Government of Canada website.
Single Window Contact for Agri-Food Trade Service
Get in touch for export-related information and support. This service offers a single point of contact with the goal of helping the Canadian food industry and businesses reach international markets.
The single window can help you:
- Find the markets with the most potential for your business
- Address market access issues or barriers that could
- Block your products from reaching foreign markets
- Promote your products at key international trade shows
- Learn about activities to support the development of international markets for Canadian agriculture and food products
- Use the Canada Brand program to market your food products
- Leverage our international network of Trade Commissioners and in-market experts
Further details can be found at Single Window Contact for Agri-Food Trade Service on the Government of Canada website.
Canadian Agricultural Loans Act Program
Makes loans available to farmers to establish, improve, and develop their farms and to marketing agencies to market commodities.
Eligibility:
- You’re one of the following:
- existing farmer
- beginning farmer (less than 6 years of farming)
- start-up agribusiness
- farmer taking over the family farm
- part-time farmer
- agricultural co-operatives with a majority (50% + 1) farmer membership
- Your farm operation must meet the definition of “farmer” and “farming” as defined by the Canadian Agricultural Loans Act (the Act).
Further details can be found at Canadian Agricultural Loans Act Program on the Government of Canada website.
Farm Debt Mediation Service
Provides financial counselling and mediation services to farmers in financial difficulty.
The Farm Debt Mediation Service offers 2 options:
- Financial counselling and mediation with a stay of proceedings 5(1)(a): This option includes a temporary halt on legal actions by creditor(s) while mediation is ongoing
- Financial counselling and mediation without a stay of proceedings 5(1)(b): This option does not include a halt on legal actions, but still provides a platform for mediation between the farmer and creditor(s)
A qualified financial consultant will be assigned to work with you throughout the mediation process.
Further details can be found at Farm Debt Mediation Service on the Government of Canada website.
For a full list of agricultural programs and services available through Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada click the following link: https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/programs
New Productivity Mega Deduction announced for 2026–2027 fiscal. Pending Parliamentary approval, farmers who purchase eligible equipment or technology on or after September 15, 2026 may be able to deduct the full cost from their taxable income in the year it is put into use, rather than claiming the deduction over several years. From a farm investments standpoint, it could include farm machinery, equipment and vehicles, ag-tech hardware and software, and technology investments. Ineligible investments include farm buildings (storage, packing, shops, etc), improvement to farm buildings, and passenger vehicles.