TRANSFORM

"TransForm was producing transmission components within ten months of the initial announcement. This could not have been accomplished without the tremendous support that we received from the City of London and the LEDC. They have responded with urgency to our business needs and have proven invaluable in the success of our launch."

Denis Hartman, Operations Manager

Home>INDUSTRY SECTORS>Manufacturing>Agri-food/Food Processing>Sector Profile

Sector Profile

Canada has a 400 year history of agriculture and agri-food processing. Our food products are of high quality and are exported around the world.

The Canadian agri-food industry is the second most important manufacturing sector in Canada representing 8.1 percent of GDP (2012) and employing more than 2 million workers. In 2010, Canada was the fifth-largest exporter and sixth-largest importer of agriculture and agri-food products in the world (if the EU is treated as a bloc), with exports and imports valued at $35.5 billion and $28 billion, respectively.

Food processing in Ontario is a $39-billion industry (2012) and the agricultural industry has grown steadily by 1.7% per year since 1997.

Canada's Five Key Advantages

Canada has many advantages on competing food processing jurisdictions around the world. The five key advantages are the quality of food, location near customers, low business costs, research capabilities, and environmentally responsible practices.

Key Advantage # 1 - Safe, High Quality Food
Key Advantage # 2 - Gateway to the North American Market
Key Advantage # 3 - Low Business Costs
Key Advantage # 4 - Leading Edge Science and Innovation
Key Advantage # 5 - Environmentally Responsible Production

Agri-Food Processing: Ontario

Food processing is the second largest manufacturing industry in Ontario. The combination of high-quality local food ingredients, a skilled and educated workforce, low business costs, central location, world class research facilities and an excellent transportation system give Ontario the advantage over competing jurisdictions.

The food, beverage and tobacco products industries employed 126,000 people in Ontario for 2011 while mixed farming, animal production and crop production employed a further 90,000 people. There are almost 60,000 farms in Ontario covering 13.5 million acres and including over 9 million acres in crops.

Agri-Food Processing: London

When making a decision to invest in London, agri-food processing companies like yours will have a number of criteria which must be satisfied. At the LEDC, we understand your need for accurate and timely information and have prepared detailed material on the following topics for your consideration.