Canadian Agriculture and Food International Program (CAFI)

The Canadian Agriculture and Food International (CAFI) Program is a key element of Canada's international strategy. It is designed to support Canada's agriculture and food industry by helping to build long-term international strategies that will help ensure the industry is well-positioned to succeed in key markets, and to respond to increasing consumer demands and global competition.

The CAFI Program matches industry funds dollar for dollar to support activities that enhance and promote Canada's reputation as the world leader in supplying safe, high-quality agriculture, agri-food, beverage, and seafood products that meet the changing demands of world markets.

The Canadian agriculture and food industry will thus enjoy improved access to global markets, and will strengthen its ability to increase international sales.

Eligibility Criteria

Broad-based sectoral and commodity-based organizations and associations in the Canadian agriculture, agri-food, and seafood sectors, as well as companies working through their associations, are welcome to submit proposals.

An organization that is an industry association or alliance, or is a technical-marketing support organization, may be eligible for funding.

Only legal entities able to enter into binding contracts in Canada can participate.

Summary

The Program provides matching funding for industry activities that enhance and promote Canada's reputation as the world leader in supplying safe, high-quality agriculture, agri-food, beverage and seafood products that meet the changing demands of world markets.

How Does it Work?

The Program is composed of two elements:

• Long Term International Strategies; long-term international strategies to gain recognition and facilitate long-term sustainable export success. These strategies are generally three-to five year plans.
• Short term projects; typically one-time activities related to new-market constraints or growth opportunities.

New proposal for consideration?

Please contact the CAFI Program representative in your region.

A CAFI project officer will provide more information, and will discuss the plans with the organization. If the proposal appears to meet the eligibility requirements, the project officer will provide a formal application form (an application from may also be downloaded from the CAFI Web site).

Deadlines

The CAFI Program processes requests for funding under the long-term international strategies category once a year (the deadline is usually in January). Short-term projects are considered three times per year, usually in February, June, and September.

Alberta Contact(s):
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Suite 720
Canada Place
9700 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 4G5
Telephone: (780) 495-2119
Fax: (780) 495-3324
E-mail: cafi-picaa@agr.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.agr.gc.ca/index_e.phtml