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Source verified August 12, 2026
AgriMarketing Program: Market Diversification for SMEs
Supports small and medium-sized enterprises entering new markets
Latest source updateLast Update: June 16, 2026Latest change: The eligibility page now shows detailed applicant rules, eligible activities, and project requirements for the market diversification support.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: June 16, 2026
Latest change: The eligibility page now shows detailed applicant rules, eligible activities, and project requirements for the market diversification support.
AgriMarketing eligibility content updated
The AgriMarketing eligibility page now shows full program guidance instead of an error-only page, including who may apply, the required legal status, and the expected national or sector-wide project focus. It also adds the eligible activities and cost guidance for the market diversification support, along with navigation and contact links to the application steps. This change materially affects eligibility, scope, application instructions, and related contact routing, so the grant details should now be treated as available for applicant review.
Funding available
$ 14,000 - $ 100,000
Deadline
September 30, 2030
Opened February 13, 2026
Location
Canada
Who can apply
For-profit organizations, including partnerships, corporations, co-operatives, and communes
See full eligibility
Overview
The AgriMarketing Program: Market Diversification for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises offers normally less than $100,000 per project to for-profit and Indigenous applicants to open new, non-traditional markets and expand export activities. It supports market research, trade missions and trade shows, and in-market promotion or social media campaigns.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Conduct research and development activities
- Reduce environmental footprint
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Minimum amount : 14,000 $
- Up to 70% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Non-financial cooperative
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Immediate financial and technical support to address impacts of trade disruptions and assist with response measures
- Market research, trade strategies, branding strategies, and marketing plans for new markets based on market research and consumer needs
- Incoming, outgoing and exploratory missions to advance market development and trade, including trade shows
- Technical training for buyers and channel intermediaries, and in-market promotion and social media campaigns
- Translation, localization or interpretation services, legal advisory services associated with a commercial distribution or representation agreement, and protection of intellectual property rights in target markets
Documents Needed
- Detailed project budget
- Capital asset pre-approval for grants and contributions programs, if applicable
- A copy of the organization's certificate or articles of incorporation; documentation is not required for First Nations, Band Councils and Tribal Councils, and other Indigenous applicants may provide a director's resolution, self-government agreement or modern treaty agreement, or a legal document stating they are a legal entity
- A copy of the last 2 years' financial statements, including the most recent interim financial statement
- Project endorsement letters or letters of support, if available
Official resources
Official page
Program guide
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- For-profit organizations, including partnerships, corporations, co-operatives, and communes
- Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, Métis) individuals or organizations, including communities or governments, associations, individuals, and for-profit organizations
Who is not eligible
- Applicants whose core business activity is not primary agriculture, agri-food production or agri-products and who operate in agricultural technology (AgTech) and agrotechnology, food technology (post-harvest), agricultural machinery and equipment, life sciences, or projects involving medical cannabis (subject to eligibility limitations)
Eligible expenses
- Salaries and benefits paid to or on behalf of staff to execute activities outlined in the project work plan
- Contracted professional or specialized services, such as consultant or expert services, research, interpretation and translation services, and project management
- Travel costs directly related to the project, such as per diems, accommodations, transportation, hospitality, and eligible carbon offset credits
- Capital assets limited to displays purchased exclusively for trade show and promotional purposes
- Other direct project costs for project-related deliverables, such as shipping, conference or registration fees, licensing fees, translation, printing, marketing material production, and meeting room rentals
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Product development or promotion of technologies
- Generic product promotions that do not target specific markets, such as websites or promotional materials that are not tailored to specific markets
- Activities aimed at established and traditional markets where the sector has been active for at least 5 years, subject to discussion with the program and assessed on a case-by-base basis
- Attending specific trade events that are part of the Canada Pavilion Program, although exhibiting within a sector hall may be considered
- Costs not specifically required for the project; costs of entertainment, gifts, prizes and giveaways; normal costs of establishing a commercial operation; refundable GST, HST, or other refundable taxes; banking charges and fees; memberships; retail listing fees and slotting charges; costs reimbursed under another government program; ongoing or regular communication with members; and the purchase of land, buildings, or equipment
Selection criteria
- Projects with the greatest potential for benefits will be given priority for funding.
- The applicant's capacity to deliver the project is assessed, taking into consideration resources, timelines, and previous history with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada programming.
- The proposed activities and costs are assessed to determine whether they are eligible, reasonable, and required to meet objectives.
- The appropriate level of funding is determined based on factors such as project scope and duration, impact of tariffs on the sector, reasonableness and fair market value of proposed eligible costs, expected sector impact, other sources of funding, and due diligence to get and provide performance reports.
How to apply
- Access your program information, select the Grants and contributions button, choose a secure sign-in method, and sign in or sign up.
- Start a new application process and complete the Market Diversification for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Application Form.
- Download the Detailed project budget and, if applicable, the Capital asset pre-approval form for grants and contributions programs.
- Complete and save the forms on your computer.
- Upload the completed forms and supporting documents, including incorporation documents and the last 2 years' financial statements.
- Complete the application details and submit your complete application.
Processing and Agreement
- An acknowledgement notice is sent by email after submission, and the application is considered submitted once it is received.
- AAFC verifies that the application is complete and detailed enough for a full assessment; if it is incomplete, AAFC will contact the applicant for the required information.
- Complete applications are reviewed and assessed against the principles and criteria of the program, while incomplete applications are placed on hold and a notice is sent to request more detailed information.
- If approved, the applicant receives a written decision letter, reviews activities, funding levels, and project dates with a program officer, and must negotiate and sign a contribution agreement to receive funding.
- Approved recipients must report on finances, performance and results, and AAFC aims to acknowledge receipt within 1 business day and issue an approval or rejection notification letter within 75 business days of receiving a complete application package.
Additional information
- Applicants should be a member of the Canada Brand.
- Applicants should consult trade commissioners located in each country or region where proposed activities will take place.
- For Quebec-based organizations, the Act Respecting the Ministère du Conseil exécutif (R.S.Q., c. M-30) may apply and compliance must be demonstrated during the application assessment process and before entering into a contribution agreement.
- If approved, the contribution agreement will include an intellectual property clause under which title to materials created under the agreement remains with the recipient or a third party, while AAFC receives the right to use produced materials or information for Government of Canada purposes.
Contacts
Availability timeline
2026
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Frequently Asked Questions about the AgriMarketing Program: Market Diversification for SMEs Program
What is the AgriMarketing Program: Market Diversification for SMEs?
The AgriMarketing Program: Market Diversification for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises offers normally less than $100,000 per project to for-profit and Indigenous applicants to open new, non-traditional markets and expand export activities. It supports market research, trade missions and trade shows, and in-market promotion or social media campaigns.
How much funding can be received?
AgriMarketing Program: Market Diversification for SMEs Funds up to 70% of admissible expenses, capped at $100,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The program is accepting continuous intake
Who is eligible for the AgriMarketing Program: Market Diversification for SMEs program?
To be eligible for the AgriMarketing Program: Market Diversification for SMEs program, you must:
The applicant must be either a for-profit organization or an Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, Métis) individual or organization.
What expenses are eligible under AgriMarketing Program: Market Diversification for SMEs?
Immediate financial and technical support to address impacts of trade disruptions and assist with response measures
Market research, trade strategies, branding strategies, and marketing plans for new markets based on market research and consumer needs
Incoming, outgoing and exploratory missions to advance market development and trade, including trade shows
Technical training for buyers and channel intermediaries, and in-market promotion and social media campaigns
Translation, localization or interpretation services, legal advisory services associated with a commercial distribution or representation agreement, and protection of intellectual property rights in target markets
Who can I contact for more information about the AgriMarketing Program: Market Diversification for SMEs?
You can contact Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) by email at aafc.agrimarketingagri-marketing.aac@agr.gc.ca or by phone at 1-877-246-4682.
Where is the AgriMarketing Program: Market Diversification for SMEs available?
The AgriMarketing Program: Market Diversification for SMEs program is available across Canada.