Canada is one of the world’s largest food exporters, exporting to over 200 countries in 2021. Our agriculture and agri-food system employs over 2.1 million people, representing 1 in 9 jobs in Canada.

Despite this, Canada is missing enormous economic opportunities in agriculture and agri-food. Like other sectors, Canada’s global contribution is that of a resource provider - exporting raw materials, in this case, primary agricultural commodities, to countries that add value through processing and innovation. A perfect example is Dijon mustard: 80% of Dijon mustard made in France is made with Canadian-grown mustard seeds.

In the midst of a climate crisis, countries are racing to become food secure, achieve successful technological translation, and stay competitive in a low-carbon economy.

Cellular agriculture utilizes biology and tissue engineering principles to produce agricultural ingredients and products such as meat, seafood, dairy, flavours, coffee, and more through cell culture techniques instead of traditional agricultural practices. By leveraging centuries of knowledge from interdisciplinary sciences, cellular agriculture offers great promise to the next generation of food production systems. As the need for sustainable food production methods increases, cellular agriculture has the potential to be a transformative solution. However, the Canadian cellular agriculture ecosystem is in its infancy. Currently, US$ 91M in private equity and VC funds have been invested in Canadian firms, while the global investment is estimated to be US$ 7B, from 2018 to 2022, in more than 150 companies.

Positive impacts are not innately built into the advancement of this emerging technology. Driven by market forces and private investments, the cellular agriculture industry is undergoing siloing and duplication of efforts. Public research and common infrastructure are needed to unlock the true potential of this transformative technology.

The success of cellular agriculture will rely on a coordinated effort across sectors, disciplines, and stakeholders that goes beyond current individual initiatives in Canada and beyond.

While the field of cellular agriculture is rapidly moving towards scale-up and supply chain development, the fast pace of technology development also represents a unique opportunity for Canada.

Canada can leverage its rich agricultural resources and position as a global food exporter while expanding its leadership as a food and added-value ingredients biomanufacturing innovator in domestic and international markets. Securing investments and public funding for this technology can develop, retain, and attract talent in/to the country, creating job opportunities and increasing economic activity across the country. However, to seize these opportunities, we require a new interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral approach (i.e. pharma meets agriculture) where we bring together industry leaders, nonprofit organizations, academic researchers, government officials and other community groups.

Cellular Agriculture Canada will act as the convener and steer efforts to ensure Canada is part of a net-zero future with cellular agriculture.