Ontario boosts craft cider industry

ONTARIO – The Ontario government is spending up to $6 million in the Ontario Craft Cider Marketing Fund over the next six years to help provincial craft cideries market their products to more consumers and stimulate growth across the sector.

“Our government is supporting Ontario cideries in reaching more local consumers with their incredible, world-renowned products,” said Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness Rob Flack.

The Small Cidery program offers grants of up to $220,000 to hire more staff and purchase new state-of-the-art equipment.

The Ontario Craft Cider Association is also receiving up to $89,200 to expand the DrinkON Apples Certification, which will help more consumers identify apple cider products entirely made with Ontario apples.

“Ontario’s cider is world-class, and I am so pleased to support this,” said minister of finance Peter Bethlenfalvy.