New funding to support potato growers in New Brunswick, for harvest and storage issues in previous cropyear

New Brunswick potato producers who endured extraordinary costs resulting from excessive moisture during last year's growing season will have access to financial assistance starting this November. 

The 2023 Canada-New Brunswick Potato AgriRecovery Initiative will compensate eligible potato producers for the extraordinary costs incurred to grow, harvest, store or dispose of last year's potato crop. 

AgriRecovery is a disaster relief framework to help agricultural producers with the extraordinary costs associated with recovering from disasters. Its initiatives are cost-shared – 60% federally and 40% provincially/territorially – as outlined under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. 

The program will offer up to CAD 25 million (USD 18.7 million) in funding provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries through the AgriRecovery Framework.

Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food:

"Potato farmers in New Brunswick work tirelessly to produce their crops, but excessive moisture last year had a direct impact on their operations. This joint AgriRecovery initiative will provide targeted support to the sector, helping farmers get back on their feet so they can keep producing the top-quality products they're known for."

Margaret Johnson, Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister:

"The summer of 2023 was one of the wettest summers on recent record and the financial impact on New Brunswick potato growers was significant. The new AgriRecovery initiative for potato growers will provide much-needed help. This is an important response to what the industry has asked for and a critical step in ensuring the sector is able to remain resilient."