Ontario food exports jump Thursday, April 19, 2012 by DAVE PINKOntario’s food exports surged by 5.4 per cent through 2011, reports the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs — a $10 billion increase in sales over the previous year bringing the total to nearly $10 billion.Sales increases were registered across the food spectrum, but were particularly strong in value-added goods, such as bakery products and processed meats.“We’ve had continued growth over the last 10 years due to our value- added products,” says Dean Post, spokesperson for the Ontario Food Exports Program. “While commodity sales are still very important, our true strength is taking a commodity and adding value to it.”As well, Ontario food products gained greater penetration into new markets in Asia, notably Japan, Hong Kong and China, as well as in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Mexico. With 77 per cent of the province’s food products going to the United States, the American market remains the primary destination for Ontario-grown exports, but Post points out that year by year more private brands are making gains in other export markets.About 100,000 people work in Ontario’s food production sector. BF Ministers meeting to focus on national ag policy Ontario ministries consider water regulation changes
Ontario Farm Leaders Drew and Heather Spoelstra Named 2026 Outstanding Young Farmers Friday, April 10, 2026 Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers (COYF) Program has announced Drew and Heather Spoelstra of Binbrook, Ontario, as the Ontario regional winners for 2026. The announcement was made following the Ontario regional competition held April 7 through 9 in St. Jacobs, Ontario. As provincial... Read this article online
Ontario Agri-Food Discovery Centre designs revealed Thursday, April 9, 2026 Attendees of the Ontario Agri-Food Discovery Centre’s (OAFDC) AGM last month received a first look at building design concepts. The planned 34,000-square-foot science centre in Listowel, Ont., designed by Moriyama Teshima Architects, the same firm responsible for the looks of buildings... Read this article online
Proposed USDA budget cuts could shift the North American ag landscape Thursday, April 9, 2026 Image by Konyvesotto from Pixabay The US administration’s latest budget proposal includes a significant reduction to the US Department of Agriculture’s discretionary spending, a move that could have ripple effects across North American agriculture. According to Farms.com reporting... Read this article online
Corn and Soy Products Cleared for Global Market Access Thursday, April 9, 2026 The Market Access Committee for corn and soybeans has completed its 2026 review of new crop protection products, confirming no export concerns for four corn products and six soybean products. Approved corn products includeCovintroCorn,TelaroneDC,ZiduaSC Herbicide, and Storen Herbicide.... Read this article online
What Distributed Energy Resources Mean for Canadian Producers Tuesday, April 7, 2026 As energy costs rise, many Canadian farms are looking for ways to take greater control of their electricity use. One term that farmers are hearing more often is distributed energy resources, often shortened to DERs. While the phrase may sound technical, the concept is highly practical, and... Read this article online