Updated March 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...
Visit Official Program →
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). (As of March 2026, verified against Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada program guidelines)

Eligibility & Details

What this program funds and who can apply

Free

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 250 employees
  • Annual sales must not exceed $50 million
  • 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
Est. Hours
20h
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

Hybrid
Competition
Low
Effort
~20 hours
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... — $19

Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.

Consultants charge $2,000–$5,000 per program. This Playbook is $19. Yours forever.
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Applying for AgriMarketing Market Diversification — SME Stream? Our Grant Proposal Template ($19) mirrors the section structure Canadian reviewers actually score on. Or get all 4 templates in the Founder Pack ($59 · saves $27) →

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. The 70:30 cost-share (AAFC pays 70%) is significantly more favorable than the core AgriMarketing program's 50:50. Early applicants face minimal competition.

Premium See what trips up most applicants for this program — and how to avoid it.

Rejection Pitfalls 5

  • Organization exceeds 250 employees or $50M annual sales SME threshold
  • Business is not in the agriculture, agri-food, fish, or seafood sector
  • Total project cost below $20,000 minimum
+2 more pitfalls
Premium See the most common reasons applications get rejected — before you submit yours.

Success Profile

For-profit agriculture or agri-food SME with fewer than 250 employees and under $50M annual revenue, currently exporting or export-ready, in a sector affected by trade disruptions (canola, pulses, pork, fish/seafood).

Premium See what successful applicants for this program actually look like.

Evaluation Criteria

AAFC assesses eligibility of activities/costs, alignment with market diversification objectives, organizational capacity to deliver, clarity of planning with defined milestones and performance measures, budget reasonableness, demonstrated need addressing trade gaps, and projected impact on Canadian exports. Priority given to sectors impacted by tariffs/trade disruptions. No published scoring weights.

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Don’t waste 20 hours on a preventable rejection
5 reasons applications get rejected, what winners look like, and exactly what reviewers score on
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Application Playbook

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

Premium 8 steps 5 docs

Application Steps

1 Access the portal Visit the AAFC program page and select 'Grants and contributions' to access the online application system.
2 Create account and sign in Create a secure account or log in with existing credentials.
3 Start application Initiate a new application for Market Diversification SME stream.
4 Complete project information Fill out project title, objectives, market analysis, target markets, employee count, and prior AAFC funding history.
5 Complete organization details Enter legal name, CRA business number, organization type, address, ownership composition, and DEI commitments.
6 Detail activities and budget Describe planned activities with start/end dates, milestones, performance measures, and fiscal year funding breakdown using AAFC's budget Excel template.
7 Upload supporting documents Attach incorporation documents, 2 years of financial statements, detailed project budget, and optional endorsement letters.
8 Review and submit Review all sections, run validation, and submit the completed application.

Required Documents 5

✓ AAFC application form (downloadable PDF)
✓ Proof of legal entity status (incorporation documents)
✓ Proof of SME status: fewer than 250 employees and under $50M annual sales
✓ Project plan with budget breakdown by activity
✓ Financial statements

Eligible Expenses 8

  • Market research and competitive analysis for new markets
  • Incoming/outgoing/exploratory trade missions and trade shows
  • In-market promotion and social media campaigns
  • Trade and branding strategies for new markets
  • Translation and localization services
  • Technical training for buyers and intermediaries
  • Legal advisory for distribution agreements and IP protection
  • Trade show displays and promotional materials (capital assets, pre-approval required over $10K)

Ineligible Expenses 6

  • Product development or technology promotion
  • Generic promotions not tailored to specific markets
  • Activities in established markets where sector has operated 5+ years
  • Entertainment, gifts, and memberships
  • In-kind contributions (cost-share must be cash)
  • GST/HST refundable portions

Intake Periods

Continuous intake from February 13, 2026 through September 30, 2030. May close earlier if funding is fully committed. Project costs only eligible as of April 1, 2026.

Deadline Notes

Applications accepted February 13, 2026 through September 30, 2030 — may close earlier if funding is fully committed. Project costs only eligible as of April 1, 2026.

Open Application Portal →

Ineligible Organizations

  • AgTech and agrotechnology companies (directed to CanExport SMEs)
  • Food technology (post-harvest) companies
  • Agricultural machinery and equipment manufacturers
  • Life sciences companies
  • Medical cannabis projects
  • Not-for-profit organizations (directed to NIA stream)
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Funding Stack Strategy

Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential

Premium 4 partners

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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Stacking amounts, clawback details, government stacking limits, and tax implications
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How AgriMarketing Market Diversification — SME... Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

Free
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.) Next deadline: May 29,...
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...

Free
Can sole proprietors apply?
Yes, sole proprietors qualify if they meet SME thresholds (under 250 employees, <$50M revenue) and operate in eligible sectors like canola or seafood. 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?
Decisions are made within 60 days of application submission. Applications accepted February 13, 2026–September 30, 2030 (may close earlier if funding exhausted).
Why do applications fail?
Most fail due to exceeding SME thresholds (250 employees/$50M revenue), 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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