HARVEST is here! Learn all about our new agri-tech accelerator supporting Canadian companies strengthening the agriculture and food economy.
biomanufacturing A global opportunity to expand and secure food production
Biomanufacturing is a significant opportunity for the world to diversify and secure its food production in a more sustainable way, while still complementing traditional ways of producing food. This new method uses engineering biology as a platform technology to create food ingredients, products and materials for various industries, including the food, cosmetics and textile sectors.
Since 2019, Ontario Genomics has been driving the growth of food innovation in the province and across the country. We’re supporting agri-food companies in our BioCreate accelerator, helping them get their products to market faster. We’re also collaborating with Canadian companies and their partners through our wasteCANcreate program to upcycle organic waste and agricultural byproducts into food ingredients, bioplastics, textiles, and platform chemicals.
As a new way of producing food, these companies present an alternative and sustainable way to produce proteins, ingredients, and other food or cultivated products.
Along with outside experts and economists, Ontario Genomics has produced two nationally focused economic and ecosystem reports (see below) to provide the critical data needed to grow Canada’s food biomanufacturing (also known as cellular agriculture) industry and help the country reach its full economic potential.
There are three critical steps for Canada to capitalize on this rapidly expanding and high-potential global food innovation market:
(March 2025) FOOD INNOVATION IN CANADA REPORT
An $18.8 Billion Opportunity in Precision Fermentation and Cultivated Foods
Microsite Report
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This follow-up report provides an updated global, national, and regional snapshot of the sector’s evolution and Canada’s progress on the initial 2021 recommendations. We reflect on global changes while readjusting our economic analysis and issuing a renewed call to action for advancing Canada’s leadership in this high-potential growth market.
The sector’s projected economic impact in Canada could reach CAD 18.8 billion, creating over 125,000 jobs, assuming optimal conditions and market share growth. However, seizing this opportunity requires urgent action and a nationally coordinated strategy. In addition, we spotlight Ontario as a high-potential province through a detailed case study that estimates Ontario could reach more than $13 billion in economic activity and 91,000 jobs.
(November 2021) CELLULAR AGRICULTURE
Canada’s $12.5 Billion Opportunity in Food Innovation
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In partnership with Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Ontario Genomics the Food and Agriculture Institute at the University of the Fraser Valley, and University of Guelph’s Dr. Michael von Massow, this report gives critical considerations for Canada’s emerging industry through extensive stakeholder input and economic analysis.
Based on consultations and reviews of literature and publicly available information, the report identifies three actionable opportunities for Canada to capitalize on this rapidly expanding and high potential global market expected to reach US$100 billion by 2030.
Along with our economic and ecosystem reports, Ontario Genomics is growing the food innovation industry in Ontario and Canada through various projects and partnerships, including:
