TORONTO - The Governments of Canada and Ontario are investing in the future of Ontario's craft cider production as Craft Cider Month celebrations begin.
Through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the federal and provincial governments are providing support for technology solutions that will help cideries to expand markets and increase their productivity. Investments include:
$130,175 for Sunnybrook Farm Estate Winery to purchase and install an advanced glycol chilling and piping system for cider production to help reduce energy usage costs by 50 per cent, and a new wetland biofilter wastewater treatment system to help reduce disposal costs and eliminate wastewater.
$70,661 for Fielding Estate Winery to purchase a new robotic press to establish three new product lines, which will help to increase capacity when processing apples for cider.
"Ontario plays a significant role in Canada's growing craft cider industry," said Marie-Claude Bibeau, Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. "As Ontarians enjoy this year's Craft Cider Month celebrations, our Government is pleased to support the province's cider industry through investments to increase efficiencies, reduce impacts on the environment and offer exciting new products to consumers."
"Our province is open for business and open for jobs, and we recognize the many opportunities for Ontario's fast-growing craft cider industry," said Ernie Hardeman, Ontario's Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. "Our government is pleased to support the growth and success of our cideries and their great products made with local apples and pears from Ontario farmers. I invite everyone to celebrate Cider Month by attending one of the events being held across the province and enjoying this unique Ontario craft."
"Ontario Craft Cider Month offers a taste of the region's crop to glass experience," said Richard Liu, Chair of the Ontario Craft Cider Association. "It's an opportunity for all to discover the bounty of Ontario's diverse apple growing regions through an array of extraordinary ciders; cider country tours along the Apple Trail; exciting cider events and delicious restaurant collaborations celebrating Ontario's finest."
More than 200 apple growers across the province produce a variety of apples, including those used in the production of cider. Ontario's craft cider industry contributes $12.7 million to the provincial GDP.
There are now approximately 70 businesses that produce cider in Ontario. Food and beverage manufacturing businesses, including cideries, employed 96,370 people across the province in 2017.
The Ontario government is committed to supporting Ontario's beverage alcohol sector, including the fast-growing craft distillery and cider industries, improving customer convenience and choice, and creating more retail sales opportunities for businesses.
Source: https://news.ontario.ca/
