Ones to watch: Agriculture and Agri-Food
Fertile Ground for Agribusiness Investors
Coast to coast to coast, Canada has a long, rich tradition in agriculture – from British Columbia wines to prairie pulses and New Brunswick lobsters. The country has also become a global centre for innovation in agritech, agri-food and sustainable agriculture. Combined, this makes Canada a top choice for highly skilled workers and global companies.
Industry Spotlight
Canada’s agriculture and agri-food industry includes crop and animal farming, food ingredients, food and beverage processing, food retailers, wholesalers and foodservice providers.
We feel that Canada will continue to play an important role in diversifying the world’s sources for protein in the decades to come.
8th largest agri-food and seafood exporter Source: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
$85 billion in agri-food exports by 2025 Source: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
$139.3 billion industry in 2020 Source: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
2.1 million jobs in agriculture & agri-food Source: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
58 agribusiness investments announced in 2021
Source: fDi Markets and PitchBook
Retrieved: May 24, 2022
$1.6 billion in announced investments in 2021
Source: fDi Markets and PitchBook
Retrieved: May 24, 2022
WHO’S WHO: 2021 agriculture & agri-food investments in Canada
Together with our partners, Invest in Canada attracted over $2 billion in agriculture and agri-food investments into Canada in 2021.
Bonduelle
Type of investment: Food and beverage processing
Cargill
Type of investment: Canola processing facility
DSM Nutritional Products
Type of investment: Omega-3 facility
InFarm
Type of investment: Indoor farm expansion
Solinftec
Type of investment: Office for agtech operations
SVC Ventures
Type of investment: Canadian headquarters
Viterra
Type of investment: Canola crush facility
What’s Happening: Agriculture & agri-food
Canada’s agriculture industry is ripe with innovation – a big draw for investors – thanks to researchers and thought leaders like these:
- InnoTech Alberta operates research facilities across Alberta and British Columbia to advance technologies and develop innovative solutions in agriculture
- The University of Saskatchewan is a world leader in plant science research
- The Manitoba Grain Innovation Hub promotes technologies that improve crops, manage disease and pests, and increase demand for cereals, oilseeds and pulses
- The Agri-Food Innovation Council fosters collaboration and partnerships between Canadian farmers, producers, entrepreneurs, researchers, governments and consumers
- The Centre de Développement Bioalimentaire du Québec provides specialized resources, facilities and equipment to support agri-food companies
- The Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association supports research and innovation that promote sustainable aquaculture
- British Columbia’s Agritech Concierge Program aims to transform the way food is grown by supporting agtech businesses to grow and enter new markets