2025
CAPI’s Agri-Food Risk Report calls for a shift from optimism to realism in Canadian agri-food policy
In an increasingly complex and changing world, the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector needs a plan to mitigate risks. Maintaining the status quo may seem like a reasonable option, but the sector can no longer rely on dated policy frameworks that leave it unprepared in the face of challenges. It’s time to move from optimism to realism.
Phase 2 of the Agri-Food Risk Report, developed by The Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute (CAPI) with support from the Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) at the University of Saskatchewan, provides a comprehensive analysis of the opportunities and challenges facing the sector. While it has long been characterized by resilience and optimism, the report underscores an urgent need for realism and strategic action to secure the sector’s future.
“As a sustainable producer of safe and nutritious food, there are a lot of reasons to be optimistic about Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector. However, to ensure ongoing success and resiliency, we need to modernize our regulatory framework and revise our innovation ecosystem – to address structural deficiencies and investments into research and development portfolios. This will enable us create market impact and value, be more competitive and drive productivity for the sector,” says Steve Webb, chief executive officer at GIFS. “Phase 2 of the Agri-Food Risk Report is taking an important next step of this initiative by providing recommendations to develop innovative solutions for managing risks and seizing available opportunities to grow and thrive.”
A thriving agri-food sector requires more than just optimism—it demands a clear, strategic plan. The current policy framework, developed 25 years ago, has not evolved with the sector’s growing complexities, leading to missed opportunities and increased vulnerabilities. The absence of a long-term vision and coordinated risk management strategy threatens the sector’s ability to maintain its global competitiveness and economic resilience.
“One of the greatest barriers to better outcomes in agriculture and agri-food is a lack of action on solutions that are broadly agreed to. There is too much comfort with the status quo,” says Tyler McCann, managing director at CAPI. “While optimism has driven the sector forward, we need to recognize that optimism alone won’t mitigate growing challenges. The Agri-Food Risk Report Phase 2 highlights the need to think differently about agriculture policy and implement a forward-looking strategy that balances opportunity with risk mitigation.”
Analysis of the inaugural Agri-Food Risk Report Survey results was largely completed before the U.S. federal election, but since then, new risks including supply chain disruptions, higher Canada-U.S. border costs and global market instability, have emerged. The second annual Agri-Food Risk Report initiative will provide insights into how the sector is addressing these challenges.