FCC to support National Food Security Strategy

Statement from Farm Credit Canada (FCC) regarding the Agri-food Project Finance Fund:

FCC will support the Government of Canada’s National Food Security Strategy through a new $1 billion Agri-food Project Finance Fund, aimed at kickstarting agri-food infrastructure across the country.

The new fund will help finance initiatives that expand domestic processing capacity, strengthen supply chains, support farmers and contribute to economic growth and long-term food security for all Canadians. It will mean more affordable food that is more reliably available in Canada.

FCC is currently developing the program, engaging industry stakeholders and assessing market needs. Additional information regarding eligibility, proposal processes and timelines will be announced in the coming weeks.

Much of Canada’s agricultural product is exported for processing into the food that hits grocery store shelves in Canada and around the world. Limited processing capacity is a widely acknowledged gap in the country’s agriculture and agri-food sector.

At the same time, projects to build the infrastructure that would further processing in Canada are often considered unsuitable for traditional lenders and investors.

Through the Agri-food Project Finance Fund, FCC will help address the clear market gap for small to medium size, strategic agri-food projects that are often deemed too complex or difficult to finance via conventional lending alone.

As the needs of the Canadian agriculture and food industry change, FCC continues to adapt its support, creating more solutions that limit roadblocks that can stand in the way of progress.

The Agri-food Project Finance Fund is a separate $1 billion fund that complements FCC’s existing commitment to invest $2 billion into Canadian food and agriculture innovation by 2030 through its investment arm, FCC Capital. That commitment was further strengthened by an additional $5 billion pledged by a coalition of private sector investors. FCC is also a founding partner of the Agriculture Innovation, Validation, and Adoption Network (AIVA), helping accelerate the adoption of new technologies and solutions that support long-term success. Together, these commitments are a direct response to market needs and contribute to building a more resilient Canadian agriculture and food industry, creating more opportunities for producers and a more resilient supply chain, increasing productivity and making food more affordable for Canadians.

About FCC

FCC is the leading lender in Canadian agriculture and food. We are investing in industry success through innovation, productivity and sustainability. Our customers rely on us for financing, capital, AgExpert management software, knowledge and industry connections. As a trusted partner and commercial Crown corporation that reinvests profits into ag and food, FCC is essential in building a stronger, more prosperous food industry for all Canadians. fcc.ca.

For more information or interviews, please contact:

Nipun Taneja
Media Relations
306-526-9067
nipun.taneja@fcc.ca