British Columbia berries receive funding boost for innovation and market growth

Victoria, British Columbia – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture - The governments of Canada and British Columbia (B.C.) are investing in the B.C. strawberry, blueberry and raspberry industries to help market competitiveness in berry production through innovative genetics and practices in the province.

 

The Lower Mainland Horticulture Improvement Association is set to receive $200,000 in annual funding a year for the next five years to improve berry genetics. Results from the research will support a plant breeding program that produces superior berry varieties that are suited to the local climate. The program is expected to lead to improved crops, higher fruit quality and increased pest and disease resistance.

 

The berry plant breeding program is supported by the Canadian Agricultural Partnership. The Partnership is a five-year, $3 billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the agriculture and agri-food sector.

Video: How to Capture the $80 Million Ground Pork Opportunity | 2026 Retail Trends

Meat is having a moment, and ground pork is perfectly positioned to help you capture new category growth.

In this business intelligence deep-dive, National Pork Board experts Bailey Morrell and Rick Smith break down the latest consumer behaviors, retail trends, and an $80 million incremental retail opportunity in ground pork.

Watch to learn how expanding your ground pork offerings, utilizing proper fat-lean ratio labeling, and building a dedicated "grinds set" can attract Gen Z and Millennial shoppers while driving "center of the plate" profitability.

we cover:

• Insights from the 2026 Power of Meat presentation.

• Why ground pork is the "gateway meat" for younger, high-value shoppers.

• How adding just two new ground pork SKUs can drive incremental sales.

• Actionable merchandising strategies, including the right fat-lean ratios for specific recipes.