A departmental plan describes a department's priorities, plans, and associated costs for the upcoming three fiscal years.
Key priorities
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's top priorities for 2025–26 are as follows:
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) will continue to create the conditions for the long-term profitability, sustainability and adaptability of the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector, by responding to evolving stakeholder needs and working in close collaboration with key partners. Efforts in 2025–26 will align with broader government priorities — including with respect to economic growth, climate resiliency, and supporting diversity. The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) marks an ambitious path forward and positions Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector for continued success as a world leader in economically, environmentally and socially sustainable agriculture and will advance the following priority areas identified in the policy framework (2023–28):
- Building sector capacity, growth and competitiveness
- Climate change and the environment
- Market development and trade
- Resiliency and public trust
- Science, research and innovation
Highlights
In 2025–26, total planned spending (including internal services) for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is $3,935,670,445 and total planned full-time equivalent staff (including internal services) is 5,149. For complete information on AAFC's total planned spending and human resources, read the Planned spending and human resources section of the full plan.
The following provides a summary of the Department's planned achievements for 2025–26 according to its approved Departmental Results Framework. The Departmental Results Framework consists of a department's core responsibilities, the results it plans to achieve and the performance indicators that measure progress toward these results.
In 2025–26, across its core responsibilities, AAFC will continue to help the agriculture and agri-food sector drive economic growth and competitiveness, capture new market opportunities, combat climate change, strengthen its resilience in the face of challenges and remain a reliable partner in global food security.
Core responsibility 1: Domestic and International Markets
Planned spending: $808,901,900
Planned human resources: 589
Departmental results
- The Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector contributes to growing the economy.
- Access to international markets is increased by resolving or mitigating market barriers and advancing trade positions.
In 2025–26, AAFC will continue to advocate for Canada's agricultural trade policy interests, building an open, predictable, rules-based trading system, including by negotiating and supporting the implementation of trade agreements. Aligned with broader government objectives to increase and diversify Canadian exports, the department will continue to support sustainable economic growth in the sector by creating the conditions for Canadian businesses to meet the evolving challenges of the interconnected domestic and global marketplace, including through the Sustainable CAP. Efforts in 2025–26 will include delivering market development activities to promote Canadian agricultural, agri-food, fish and seafood products at home and abroad by promoting Canada's competitive advantages to attract foreign direct investments into Canada; addressing tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade; and facilitating sector growth within key export markets. Other areas of work will continue to be done through: market development services; industry engagement and partnerships through AAFC's Regional Offices and Sector Engagement Tables; the ongoing work of the Agriculture and Food Trade Commissioner Service; and departmental programs, such as AgriMarketing and AgriCompetitiveness.
More information about Domestic and International Markets can be found in the full plan.
Core responsibility 2: Science and Innovation
Planned spending: $911,749,091
Planned human resources: 2,625
Departmental results
- The Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector knowledge base is increased through AAFC supported scientific and innovative research.
- The Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector is effective in transforming ideas into new products, processes, or practices.
In response to pressing global issues such as climate change, the AAFC Strategic Plan for Science will continue to better position the department to tackle the grand challenges that affect agriculture and to advance efforts to ensure a sustainable, resilient and profitable sector for the future. AAFC will continue to fund research and development that accelerates the pace of innovation, further enhances the economic growth, productivity, adaptability and sustainability of the Canadian agri-food and agri-based products sector. Further, climate change mitigation and adaptation are focuses of existing and planned departmental programming and initiatives, including under the Sustainable CAP, the Agricultural Climate Solutions Program, the Agricultural Clean Technology Program, and the Agricultural Methane Reduction Challenge as well as priority areas under the Sustainable Agriculture Strategy.
More information about Science and Innovation can be found in the full plan.
Core responsibility 3: Sector Risk
Planned spending: $2,035,048,761
Planned human resources: 405
Departmental results
- The agricultural sector is financially resilient.
- The agriculture and agri-food sector is equipped with assurance systems and supporting tools.
Recognizing the dynamic landscape of the agriculture sector, AAFC is dedicated to proactively identifying and addressing the emerging environmental risks, market volatility and geopolitical uncertainties that could impact the industry. In 2025–26, the department will continue to support producers and processors to maintain the resilience and sustainability of their operations in the face of challenging or unpredictable circumstances through a number of programs including AgriInvest, AgriInsurance, AgriStability and the Advance Payments Program. The department will also continue working with the sector to strengthen its assurance systems and uphold stringent food safety standards, enhance traceability measures, and promote best practices in agricultural production, processing and distribution to ensure the safety, quality and sustainability of Canadian food products. This includes through the AgriAssurance Program, as well as through collaborations with other industry stakeholders, including provincial and territorial governments and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
More information about Sector Risk can be found in the full plan.