Product2Market: Value-Added

Applicants must be agriculture value-added processors that operate and file taxes in Saskatchewan. All applicants will be required to demonstrate activities are part of an ongoing, sustainable business plan.

The proposal must:

• Include value-added processing of a Saskatchewan-grown agricultural product; and
• Make a physical transformation or upgrade a raw/primary agricultural product(s) or any agricultural byproduct or waste into a new or upgraded product.

Applicants are encouraged to consult with a Value-added Specialist to discuss the proposed business opportunity and their application.

Prototype and Product Development Stream

Eligible activities must develop and/or commercialize a Saskatchewan agricultural product, process or technology.

Eligible activities include:

• Material costs.
• Processing and manufacturing costs.
• Packaging and labelling development costs.
• Assessment and development of a process/manufacturing technology.
• Equipment rentals.
• Market readiness for a target market where the applicant can demonstrate market opportunity exists (e.g. product modifications or alterations to packaging and labelling).
• Promotional/marketing activities for a new product, including:
  • Paid advertisements in electronic, print, media or event support material. This includes targeted advertisements in social media applications;
  • Design, translation production and shipping of marketing and promotional material designed to generate business for the new product or new market (e.g. brochures, pamphlets, video, web-based items); and
  • Updating/developing website to introduce a new product. This activity has a funding cap of $1,000 per project.

Market Development Stream

Eligible activities must be instrumental to developing export markets.

Eligible activities must be identified in the applicant's work plan. They include:

• Participation in trade shows, food fairs, sales exhibitions, government/industry-led trade missions.
• Pre-arranged meetings with buyers identified as critical to market development initiatives, including:
  • Accommodation and transportation (e.g. flights, rental cars);
  • In-market translation and interpretive services;
  • Contracted services to support/coordinate marketing activities; and
  • Hosting in-market special events. In-market special events require pre-approval by the Ministry of Agriculture.
    • International Markets have a funding cap of $1,500 per approved project.
    • Domestic Markets (outside of Saskatchewan) have a funding cap of $750 per approved project.
• Registration for trade shows, food fairs, sales exhibitions, government/industry-led trade missions, including registration/booth rental and material shipping costs.
• Promotional and marketing activities in new markets, including:
  • Paid advertisements in electronic, print, media or event support material. This includes targeted advertisements in social media applications;
  • Development, production and distribution of marketing and promotional material (e.g. brochures, pamphlets, web-based items, videos and trade show display material designed to generate business for the new product or new market); and
  • Design, translation and production of marketing material (e.g. brochures, video, web-based items).
• Website development or website enhancements to target new market to a maximum of $1,000.
• Capital costs limited to displays purchased for trade show and promotional activities required for the approved project.
• Product brand conceptualization, design or redesign to meet the needs of a new market (e.g. package design or labelling). This activity has a funding cap of $5,000.

All activities are ineligible in markets where there is no current market access or where the regulatory requirements for export have not been met. Marketing activities will be deemed ineligible if they have been conducted within the previous two years.

Ineligible expenses/activities also include:

• Training and wages/salaries for employees.
• Expenses for ongoing activities or other typical operating expenses.
• Per diems and meals.
• Conference registrations or attending trade shows as a non-exhibitor.
• Equipment purchase/other capital expenditures not explicitly identified as eligible.
• Administration costs and other activities not directly related specifically to the project.
• Cost of production for product samples.
• Taxes, legal fees and/or financing fees.
• Membership in trade organizations.
• Costs associated with third party representatives, such as agents or promoters.

Activities/projects cannot be funded by another government or other Government of Saskatchewan programs.

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and will be reviewed monthly. Please allow three to six weeks for a decision.

Completed application packages can be submitted by email to agprograms@gov.sk.ca or mail to:

Ministry of Agriculture, Programs Branch
329 – 3085 Albert Street
Regina SK  S4S 0B1