AgriMarketing for SMEs: Up to 70% of Costs to Open New Export Markets
Selling into a new market takes work before the first order arrives: market research, trade shows, buyer missions and promotion. Market Diversification for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, the for-profit stream of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s AgriMarketing Program, helps agriculture, agri-food and agri-products businesses pay for that work.
It gives non-repayable contributions, normally less than $100,000 per project, toward projects that open new, non-traditional markets. The stream is open, and applications are being accepted until September 30, 2030.
What is AgriMarketing for SMEs?
Market Diversification for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises was launched on February 13, 2026 as the for-profit stream of the AgriMarketing Program, run by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). It funds agriculture, agri-food and agri-products businesses, including fish and seafood, that want to open new, non-traditional markets and expand their export activities, diversifying and increasing the volume and value of Canadian exports and interprovincial trade.
The stream shares a combined $75 million in contribution funding with a stream for national industry associations. The AgriMarketing Program’s main stream is open only to not-for-profit and Indigenous organizations, so for a for-profit business this stream is the way in.
All sectors are eligible. Sectors directly impacted by tariffs and trade disruptions in the past 12 months, and projects targeting new markets such as Africa, the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific, are assessed as a priority.
AgriMarketing for SMEs at a glance
| Detail | AgriMarketing Program — Market Diversification for SMEs |
|---|---|
| Funding amount | $14K – $100K |
| Program type | Grant |
| Level | Federal |
| Where it applies | Canada-wide |
| Status | Open |
| Deadline | September 30, 2030 — Open: applications are accepted from February 13, 2026 until September 30, 2030, or until funding is fully committed. The stream ends March 31, 2031. AAFC aims to approve or reject an application within 75 business days of receiving it complete. |
| What it funds | Export / International Markets, Commercialization / Market Launch |
| Industries | Food & Beverages, Biotech & Agriculture |
| Company stage | Growth, Expansion, Established |
| Payment model | Reimbursement |
| Matching funds required | Yes |
| Competition level | Moderate |
How much funding is available?
The AAFC contribution is non-repayable and will normally be less than $100,000 per project, for projects of up to 18 months. Each project must have a minimum total cost of $20,000, for a minimum AAFC contribution of $14,000.
AAFC pays a maximum of 70% of eligible costs, and your share of at least 30% must be cash. Funding is paid as a reimbursement of eligible costs.
- AAFC contribution: normally less than $100,000 per project
- Minimum project size: a total cost of $20,000, for a minimum AAFC contribution of $14,000
- Cost share: AAFC a maximum of 70%; you at least 30%, in cash
- Project length: up to 18 months
Who is eligible?
Your business
- Your business must be a for-profit organization (a partnership, corporation, co-operative or commune) or an Indigenous individual or organization, and a legal entity capable of entering into legally binding agreements.
- You operate in the agriculture, agri-food or agri-products industry, including fish and seafood, and are directly involved in growing, harvesting, processing, or otherwise transforming or consolidating your products.
- You have fewer than 500 full-time equivalent employees.
- Companies whose core business is AgTech, post-harvest food technology, agricultural machinery and equipment, or life sciences, rather than primary agriculture, agri-food production or agri-products, are not eligible here and may fit CanExport SMEs instead.
The project
- The project must target new opportunities in high-growth and non-traditional markets to increase and diversify exports and strengthen interprovincial trade. Activities aimed at established markets where the sector has been active for at least 5 years are assessed case by case.
- Eligible activities include market research, trade and branding strategies and marketing plans for new markets, missions and trade shows, technical training for buyers, in-market promotion and social media campaigns, translation and localization, legal advice on distribution agreements, and protecting intellectual property in target markets.
- Not eligible: product development or promotion of technologies, and generic promotion that does not target specific markets.
The costs
- Your share of at least 30% must be cash; in-kind contributions are ineligible.
- Eligible costs are salaries and benefits (normally no more than 25% of total project costs), contracted services, travel, trade show displays and other direct project costs. Costs are eligible from April 1, 2026, but not before your application is deemed complete.
When and how to apply
The stream is open: applications are accepted from February 13, 2026 until September 30, 2030, or until funding is fully committed. The stream ends March 31, 2031.
You apply online with a detailed project budget, your articles of incorporation and the last 2 years’ financial statements. Costs count only once your application is deemed complete, so apply before you spend. AAFC aims to approve or reject an application within 75 business days of receiving it complete.
The status of AgriMarketing Program — Market Diversification for SMEs in EVAMAX Grant AI™ is currently Open. Grant AI™ re-checks it against the official program page, so look there for the latest before you start an application.
Is AgriMarketing for SMEs right for you?
This stream suits growing and established for-profit producers and processors in agriculture, agri-food and fish and seafood, with fewer than 500 full-time equivalent employees, that are ready to sell into markets they have not reached before. Watch the limits: companies whose core business is AgTech, food technology or agricultural machinery belong in CanExport SMEs instead, generic promotion is not funded, and your share must be cash.
Next steps: look up AgriMarketing Program — Market Diversification for SMEs in EVAMAX Grant AI™ to see its live status and other programs that fit your company, or talk to EVAMAX about building your application.
Program details are from the EVAMAX Grant AI™ record as of October 29, 2026. Programs change — confirm current terms on the official program page before you apply.