News
New market development program in Saskatchewan

Apr. 18, 2013 - Growing Forward 2 funding in the amount of $9 million is going toward a new Market Development Program in Saskatchewan. The program is aimed at assisting provincial businesses, organizations and producer groups develop and expand international and domestic markets for their agriculture products.

The Market Development Program builds on the previous Saskatchewan International Market Development Program and is designed to increase Saskatchewan's market presence; increase the number and value of incoming trade missions; open, protect and expand market access for Saskatchewan products; and build capacity in the industry to help broaden Saskatchewan's marketing reach.

Eligible applicants include Saskatchewan agribusinesses, organizations and producer groups involved in the production, processing or marketing of agriculture products. Eligible costs include trade shows, trade missions, promotional materials, incoming buyer missions, training costs and exhibits. Approved applicants can access funding for 50 per cent of eligible costs to a maximum of $50,000 per project and $100,000 per applicant per year.

For the first time ever, Saskatchewan exported more than $11 billion in agri-food products in 2012, and remains the nation's top agri-food exporter, accounting for 23 per cent of Canada's agri-food exports. In 2012, 18 countries each purchased more than $100 million in Saskatchewan agri-food products, making Saskatchewan agriculture one of the most significant providers of food in the world.

April 23, 2013  By AAFC