Governments of Canada and Ontario Positioning Local Tender Fruit and Grape Sector for Growth

October 30, 2023

Beamsville – The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $8 million through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership to help local apple, tender fruit and grape growers produce new innovative varieties of fruit.

The initial apple and tender fruit intake of the Growing Future Opportunities Initiative will provide eligible growers with cost-shared funding to purchase new tree stock that will create new opportunities for their business. The wine grape intake will provide growers with access to the same cost-share funding. The replanted stock will yield varieties of produce that better meet market demand, increase yield hardiness and improve resistance against pests and diseases.

“This is great news for our local growers,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.

“In a region that produces over ninety-three percent of Ontario’s grape-growing volume and ninety percent of Ontario’s tender fruit crop, home to leading research institutions like the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre and grower networks like Vineland Growers Co-operative, this new funding will ensure Niagara remains an agricultural market leader in Ontario and beyond.”

“We are making sure the agri-food sector in Ontario realizes its incredible potential by ensuring product supply aligns with consumer demand,” said Hon. Lisa Thompson, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

“This initiative will support our fruit growers as they produce more grape, apple and tender fruit varieties that are widely sought after both domestically and internationally.”

“Tender fruit, apple and wine grape producers are a vital part of Canada’s agricultural industry,” said Hon. Lawrence MacAulay, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

“This funding will help the sector stay competitive while providing Canadians with access to locally grown, healthy and delicious fruit.”

Under the Growing Future Opportunities Initiative, eligible producers can apply to receive seventy-five percent of cost-share funding for new stock, with plantings to be completed by the end of 2026. The apple and tender fruit intake of the initiative will open on November 20, 2023. Approved projects are to be completed by December 31, 2026. The wine grape intake is anticipated in the winter of 2024.

The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year (2023-2028), $3.5-billion investment by federal-provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the competitiveness and resiliency of the agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5 billion commitment that is cost-shared sixty percent federally and forty percent provincially/territorially for programs designed and delivered by the provinces and territories.