Federal funds announced for Cereals Canada

The federal government has announced $7.3 million for Cereals Canada research and market development.

The funding was announced Oct. 15 by Winnipeg South MP Terry Duguid, on behalf of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Minister Lawrence MacAulay, at the industry group’s pasta lab in Winnipeg.

“Our government is building on our long legacy of support for Cereals Canada,” said Duguid.

The funding falls under two programs within the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (S-CAP).

The larger of the two accounts for $6,660,817 over three years and comes via the AgriMarketing Program. That program aims to increase market access, improve customer support and expand exports through initiatives like technical exchanges, market research and knowledge sharing among stakeholders.

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Duguid said that funding will help further open international markets to Canadian agricultural products. He pointed to the opening of a trade office in Manila in the Philippines earlier this year.

“The funding will help exporters leverage new digital tools, navigate market access barriers and meet the needs of our customers around the world,” he said.

The remaining $674,249 is funded through the AAFC AgriScience Program—Projects Component. That funding is focused on research into how environmental conditions impact cereal crop quality during the growing season.

One program set to benefit from those funds is a four-year research initiative looking at how environmental conditions affect oat quality.

“Our oat research aims to enhance our understanding of Canadian oat quality and how it performs as an ingredient,” said Dean Dias, chief executive officer of Cereals Canada. “This information will strengthen Canada’s position in the global market, potentially increasing the value and demand for Canadian oats as a premium food ingredient and supporting our value chain.”

Dias welcomed the support from the federal government.

“This funding enables us to amplify our resources, maintain and grow markets and foster industry relationships and advocacy, helping to ensure the long-term competitiveness and sustainability of Canada’s cereals industry,” he said.