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Friday Food Innovation Round-Up – August 8

By Community Manager posted 08-08-2025 12:16

  

Tariffs may be back on the menu, but Canadian food innovators aren’t slowing down. From a first-of-its-kind alt-dairy deal to fresh market entry pathways into Asia, here’s what’s been making headlines over the past two weeks: 

📉 New U.S. tariffs target non-USMCA Canadian goods, raising select food costs 
🌱 APAC market-entry program opens for Canadian plant-based brands 
🥛 First-ever commercial deal for cell-based dairy between Opalia and Hoogwegt 
🏭 Manioba food processors get $6M investment to modernize operations 

Let’s dive in! 

 

Canada–U.S. Trade Brief: Tariffs Hit Home as Food Sector Braces for Fallout 

Breaking down what’s changing in Canada-U.S. relations—and what it means for Canada’s food sector. 

What’s the Latest 

The U.S. has implemented a 35% tariff on Canadian goods outside USMCA coverage, effective Aug 7, following a transition period for in-transit shipments. While the majority of agrifood trade remains tariff-free under USMCA, non-qualifying packaged goods, specialty ingredients, and certain dairy-adjacent products are now in the crosshairs. 

What You Should Know 

  • Most Canadian food exports still avoid tariffs under USMCA, but the affected categories could see higher costs and tighter margins. 

  • Price pressure will be most acute in specialty packaged goods, ingredients, and premium imports where margins are already thin. 

  • Producers and processors should audit HS codes, supplier origin documentation, and rules-of-origin compliance now to confirm tariff-free status. 

Key Takeaway 

Expect targeted disruption rather than a sector-wide freeze. Still, the shift adds friction for some exporters and creates urgency to hedge with new markets and supply chain resilience. 

 

💡 Food Innovation News 

Opalia Announces "First Ever" Commercial Supply Agreement for Cell-Based Dairy 

  • Montréal’s Opalia has signed what is being called the first commercial supply agreement for cell-based dairy ingredients with Dutch giant Hoogwegt. Starting in 2026, cultured milk components from Opalia will be integrated into Hoogwegt’s development pipelines, marking a milestone in bringing alt-dairy from lab to market. 

Protein Industries Canada Initiative to Help Canadian Plant-Based Companies Enter Asia-Pacific 

  • PIC and Singapore’s Nurasa have unveiled a new pathway into Asia-Pacific for Canadian plant-based brands. The program will help companies adapt products for regional tastes, navigate regulations, and connect with Nurasa’s extensive distribution network. Applications for the first cohort are open now. 

Manitoba Food Processors Granted $6M to Modernize Facilities 

  • The governments of Canada and Manitoba are providing over $6 million through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) to modernize food processing facilities across the province. Nineteen approved projects will add new equipment, expand production lines, and adopt technologies that improve efficiency and environmental performance, strengthening jobs and resilience in Canada’s food supply chain. 

 

💰 New Opportunities 

CFIN is currently accepting applications for three different foodtech funding programs: 

 

🛠️ Job Openings 

Here’s a few cool food innovation jobs that popped up recently: 

Have an open position you’re looking to fill? Be sure to post it on the Food Innovator Career Hub! 

 

🌟 Highlights from YODL 

Catch up on this week’s top YODL conversations… 

Do you have something worth including in our next Friday Food Innovation Roundup? Reply to this post to let us know about your news, events, or job openings! 

Thanks for reading! 

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