Ottawa-Farm Credit Canada (FCC) will launch a $1 billion Agri-Food Project Finance Fund (AFPP), Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald has announced.

The APFF is a key commitment under the National Food Security Strategy (NFSS) and will help finance mid-market agri‑food infrastructure projects across the country, MacDonald said.

“Our government is focused on strengthening Canada’s food system so Canadians can count on a reliable supply of high-quality, affordable food.”

This fund, combined with a $150 million investment in Velocity Agri-Capital Partners by FCC, will help Canadian agri‑food businesses bring ambitious projects to life, expand processing capacity and grow value in Canada.

“By investing in innovation and infrastructure, we’re supporting producers and ensuring Canada’s food system is resilient for the future,” MacDonald said.

The AFPP will help address financing gaps, support the development of critical infrastructure and technology needed to increase domestic processing capacity.

Canada is charting a new course by building strength at home and diversifying partnerships abroad – creating new opportunities for long-term growth, resilience, and investment.

Velocity Agri-Capital Partners will focus on opportunities in the agri-food and agri-tech sectors across the value chain that are positioned to help strengthen Canada’s food system.

The two programs are intended to accelerate commercialization, expand processing capacity, diversify supply chains and build international pathways that strengthen resilience and competitiveness across Canada’s food system.

By creating good-paying jobs, strengthening local economies, supporting infrastructure, and helping Canadian businesses compete around the world, the government is building a stronger, more resilient food system for Canadians, MacDonald said.

Justine Hendricks, FCC’s President and CEO, said the APFF “is a critical financing tool which will unlock the right projects to help Canada build the infrastructure and processing capacity we need for a stronger, more resilient, and more self-reliant food system.”

“This launch rounds out FCC’s full complement of capital solutions, ensuring Canadian producers and agri-businesses have the financing and investment tools they need to seize this generational opportunity.”

Arlene Dickinson, General Partner, Velocity Agri-Capital Partners, said “Canada's agri-food sector is strategically important to our global brand and our trading relationships.”

“The world needs what we grow and produce and it’s time for us to build on our strength in commodities and into higher-value add products. Velocity Capital is in discussions with Canadian and international investors regarding additional capital commitments of up to $350 million.”

“The fund will help move Canada up the value chain, and into active capital deployment with Canadian companies ready to export to Southeast Asia and attract foreign investment from Southeast Asian companies looking to domicile and build jobs here.”

The AFPP will support capital-intensive, high-potential agri-food projects, with a focus on mid-market infrastructure and help address financing gaps for complex projects, enabling more initiatives to move from concept to construction.

Velocity Capital, a growth equity fund led by Dickinson with teams in Canada and Singapore, backs high‑potential agri‑food and agri‑tech companies to scale across North America and export into Southeast Asia.