Anita Laryea, Market Research and Project Coordinator Specialist, Regina
May 2026
With growing global demand for safe, sustainable food, Saskatchewan is well positioned to help meet this demand. Saskatchewan’s Growth Plan set a target of $20 billion in agri-food exports by 2030. The Government of Saskatchewan has established strong export support programs and services to help meet these goals by helping producers and companies to innovate, scale production and expand into new international markets.
Several programs are delivered in partnership with the federal government through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. The federal AgriMarketing Program supports export promotion and market diversification. Applicants can access non-repayable contributions of up to $100,000 per project, cost-shared at 70 per cent federal and 30 per cent applicant. The program prioritizes sectors responding to trade disruptions and those entering high-growth markets such as Africa, the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific. Applications remain open until September 30, 2030, or until funding is fully allocated. In addition, the federal Canada Pavilion Program helps companies participate in leading global food and beverage trade shows, making it easier for businesses to connect with international buyers.
Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP) delivers targeted programs to help Saskatchewan exporters access new markets. The Market Diversification Program supports companies pursuing markets where they have had little or no sales in the past 24 months. For the United States market, a separate U.S. Market Funding Program offers similar support for companies expanding south of the border. STEP also offers a Product Modification/Certification Support Program which assists with adapting products or obtaining certifications required for new market entry. Additional support includes trade show participation funding, pre-market exploration assistance, incoming buyer missions through the Premium Member Incoming Buyer Funding and the Business Advisory Services Funding Program which helps exporters access professional consulting expertise. Many of the STEP programs run until March 31, 2028.
Complementing STEP’s market access programs, the Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre delivers the Product Development Program, funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. This program offers value-added agri-food processing companies up to $20,000 in cost-shared funding for prototype development, product formulation or reformulations to enter new markets.
The Government of Saskatchewan also maintains nine international trade offices across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas, providing market intelligence, buyer connections and on-the-ground support for Saskatchewan exporters. Together, these programs and services position Saskatchewan agribusinesses to expand globally, grow revenues, and help the province achieve its 2030 Growth Plan targets. For a full overview of available funding, visit Funding Programs for Saskatchewan Agri-food Exporters.
“Saskatchewan is ready to meet rising global demand for safe, sustainable food – but market access takes investment, insight and the right support,” says Chris Lane, STEP President and CEO. “These programs help exporters move from opportunity to action, whether that’s adapting products, entering new markets or building relationships with international buyers.”