The Canadian wine industry has more than 800 winery establishments nationwide. While the wine industry continues to grow across the country, it is not immune to challenges, including climate change, labour shortages and supply chain issues. That’s why Agriculture and Agri-Food has approved $990,866 to Wine Growers Canada to help increase domestic and export sales of Canadian-made wine through targeted awareness and training initiatives.

 The funds are earmarked to further develop markets in North America, Europe and Asia, and increase awareness of and trust in Canadian-made wine to protect, maintain and enhance market access for Canadian wine producers.

To help licensed Canadian wineries as they adapt to ongoing and emerging challenges,  the Government of Canada also launched the two-year, up to $166-million Wine Sector Support Program to provide wineries with short-term financial support.

“Grape wine is Canada’s highest value-added agricultural product contributing more than $11.5 billion dollars annually to the Canadian economy,” says Dan Paszkowski, president, Wine Growers Canada. “Canadian wines account for 1 per cent of global production and face fierce competition here in Canada and abroad from major wine producing countries that heavily subsidize their industries. The federal AgriMarketing Program is very helpful in strengthening our fight for market share here in Canada and in developing new markets for Canada’s exceptional, and award-winning wines.”

-  In 2021, Canadian wine exports rebounded after declining in 2020, and were valued at a record $92M, representing a 15% increase in the last five years, and an increase of 29% over 2020. 

-  The U.S. represents Canada’s biggest export market with $73 million in exports, followed by China with $9 million.

Source: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada November 10, 2022 news release