Updated August 2026 · Verified against Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada guidelines
✨ New Program ✓ First-Timer Friendly Reimbursement Est. 2026
Grant Federal Active

AgriMarketing Market Diversification — SME Stream

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Maximum Funding
Up to $100,000
Applications open February 13, 2026 through September 30, 2030 (may close ear...
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Difficulty
Moderate
Payment
Reimbursement
Trend
New Program
First-Timers
Friendly ✓
Co-Funding
70%
AgriMarketing Market Diversification — SME Stream provides Up to $100,000 per project (70% of eligible costs; minimum $14,000 AAFC contribution). Direct export market development funding for for-profit agriculture and agri-food SMEs. The program covers up to 70% of eligible costs. Applications open February 13, 2026 through September 30, 2030 (may close earlier).
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Eligibility & Details

What this program funds and who can apply

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Program Description

Direct export market development funding for for-profit agriculture and agri-food SMEs. Covers market research, trade strategies, branding, and new market entry. Replaces CanExport SMEs for agri-food companies (excluded from CanExport as of 2026-27). Priority given to sectors impacted by trade barriers: canola, pulses, pork, fish/seafood.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a for-profit SME in the agriculture, agri-food, fish, or seafood sector
  • Fewer than 500 full-time equivalent employees
  • Must be directly involved in growing, harvesting, processing, or otherwise transforming or consolidating your own products (brokers, marketers and pure distributors do not qualify)
  • Must be a legal entity capable of entering into legally binding agreements
  • Project must relate to export market development (market research, branding, trade strategy, or new market entry)
  • Note: agri-food companies are excluded from CanExport SMEs as of 2026–27 — this is the replacement program
  • Priority given to sectors affected by trade barriers: canola, pulses, pork, fish/seafood
Provinces
All Provinces
Industries
Agriculture Fisheries Food Beverage
Business Stage
Growth Expansion

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Moderate
Competition
Low
First-Timer
Friendly

Funding Details

Amount
Up to $100,000 per project (70% of eligible costs; minimum $14,000 AAFC contribution)
Type
Grant
Level
Federal
Co-Funding
Up to 70% of eligible costs
Deadline
Applications open February 13, 2026 through September 30, 2030 (may close earlier)

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Competition
Low
Deadline
Sep 30, 2030
Approval
Good
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
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What's in this Playbook

Everything you need to win AgriMarketing Market Diversification — SME...

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How to Win

Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like

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Insider Tip

This stream opened February 13, 2026 — it replaces CanExport SMEs for agriculture/agri-food/fish/seafood companies, which were excluded from CanExport as of 2026-27.

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Rejection Pitfalls 6

  • Organization has 500 or more full-time equivalent employees
+5 more pitfalls
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Success Profile

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Evaluation Criteria

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Application Playbook

Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses

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Application Steps

1 Access the portal Visit the AAFC program page and select 'Grants and contributions' to access the online application system.

Required Documents 5

✓ AAFC application form (downloadable PDF)
✓ Proof of legal entity status (incorporation documents)

Eligible Expenses 9

Ineligible Expenses 7

Intake Periods

Deadline Notes

Ineligible Organizations

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Funding Stack Strategy

Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential

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Compatible Programs

CanExport SMEs Export Development Canada (EDC) Provincial agricultural marketing programs Trade Commissioner Service
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential

Clawback Risk

Medium Risk
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How AgriMarketing Market Diversification — SME... Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

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Program Amount Difficulty Payment Deadline
AgriMarketing Market Diversification ... Up to $100,000 Moderate Reimbursement Applications open...
Export Development Canada (EDC) Finan... Varies Easy Equity Ongoing
Trade Commissioner Service – Export S... Advisory services (non-financial) Easy Not Applicable Ongoing
CanExport SMEs Up to $50,000 Moderate Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) Applications accepted...
Farm Credit Canada (FCC) Financing Varies Easy Loan Ongoing

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about AgriMarketing Market Diversification — SME...

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Can sole proprietors apply?
Yes, sole proprietors qualify if they are a legal entity capable of entering into legally binding agreements, have fewer than 500 full-time equivalent employees, and are directly involved in growing, harvesting, processing or transforming their own products. Must provide business registration proof.
What's the typical award amount?
Most projects receive $14,000–$70,000. The $100,000 max is rare; typical projects cost $20,000–$100,000 with 70% coverage (AAFC pays 70%).
When are decisions made?
AAFC publishes no service standard for this stream. Plan on roughly 3–6 months from submission to decision. Applications accepted February 13, 2026–September 30, 2030 (may close earlier if funding exhausted).
Why do applications fail?
Most fail by exceeding the 500-FTE size threshold, not being directly involved in growing/harvesting/processing their own products, not meeting sector priority (canola/pulses/pork/fish), or failing to prove 30% cost-share capacity.
Do I need matching funds upfront?
No, but you must demonstrate financial capacity to cover 30% of costs before reimbursement. AAFC reimburses after project completion with receipts.

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