Overview

Ontario is the perfect location for a North American manufacturing and distribution hub for your global food and beverage business. If you are considering building a food and beverage business in Ontario, we can help you realize your business plans and goals.

Services for investors

Investment advisors from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness provide you with customized and confidential services, including:

  • business plan information (market data, supplier identification and cost information)
  • connections to food and beverage networks
  • help with navigating funding supports
  • consultant recommendations
  • confidential site selection services
  • help with site evaluation and site visit coordination

We also provide ongoing support related to market development and business expansion.

Contact us by phone or email and speak to the investment services team.

Why invest in Ontario

Easy access to major markets

Ontario has convenient access to millions of North American consumers within a one-day drive from the Greater Toronto Area.

Integrated transportation networks

Ontario’s efficient transportation infrastructure helps move products to markets quickly and conveniently.

High-speed highways, rail and marine crossings, land border crossings and intermodal facilities provide access to US and global markets, in addition to four international and many regional airports across the province.

Local ingredients and supply chain

Many agricultural commodities are grown on Ontario's farms, providing access to locally sourced ingredients.

In addition, a highly integrated network of producers, processes, logistics firms and food and beverage distributors makes ingredients easily accessible.

Competitive and stable marketplace

Ontario has a top-ranked business environment with sustainable and competitive energy prices, streamlined regulations and a low-risk investment climate.

Ontario companies looking to export products and services also benefit from Canada’s participation in key international trade agreements, including:

  • Canada-United States-Mexico-Agreement
  • Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement
  • Comprehensive Progressive Trade Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership

Skilled talent pool

Ontario is home to the second-largest food and beverage cluster in North America. There is a skilled talent pool of college and university graduates each year with degrees in fields key to the sector.

Over 74% of adults have post-secondary education (top in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) and over 200 languages are spoken in Ontario.