Alberta’s food and beverage processors are facing growing pressure from rising tariffs, shifting trade conditions, supply chain disruptions, and increasing production costs. At the same time, demand for high-quality Alberta-made products continues to grow across Canada and internationally.
To help processors adapt and compete, the Government of Canada is investing nearly $1.5 million in the Alberta Food Processors Association (AFPA) through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI).
This funding will provide Alberta food and beverage businesses with:
Tailored advisory services to improve productivity and operational efficiency
Support to adopt new technologies and automation
Assistance to scale production and strengthen domestic supply chains
Guidance to diversify into new national and international markets
Enhanced access to market intelligence through an upgraded, AI-powered AB Food Connect platform
The investment is part of a broader federal commitment to help Alberta businesses strengthen resilience in response to global tariff pressures and trade uncertainty.
Supporting Alberta’s Value-Added Food Sector
Alberta grows some of the world’s highest-quality agricultural products. Strengthening processing capacity within the province ensures more value is added locally — protecting jobs, supporting rural communities, and keeping Alberta-made food products on shelves across Canada.
By equipping processors with the tools to modernize operations and expand into new markets, this funding aims to help Alberta companies remain competitive in an increasingly complex global trade environment.
“This investment comes at a critical time for Alberta’s food and beverage industry. Rising tariffs, global uncertainty, and increasing production costs are putting pressure on the very businesses that turn Alberta’s world-class agriculture into the food Canadians enjoy every day. This $1.4 million dollar investment gives our processors the tools to adapt and compete—through expert trade and productivity support, direct funding for tariff-impacted businesses, and smarter technology through an upgraded, AI-powered AB Food Connect platform. Alberta grows some of the best ingredients in the world. This funding helps ensure we also process, innovate, and create value here at home—protecting jobs, strengthening our supply chain, and keeping Alberta-made products on shelves across Canada.”
— Bianca Parsons, Executive Director, Alberta Food Processors Association
About the Regional Tariff Response Initiative
The Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) is a $1-billion national program designed to help Canadian businesses respond to global tariff disruptions, strengthen domestic production, and expand export opportunities.
Applications remain open to eligible businesses and organizations across the Prairie provinces.
