NIAGARA GREENHOUSE OPERATIONS - A GROWING SUCCESS

• The largest and fastest growing sector of the regional agricultural economy.

• Over 18.0 Million sq. ft. of growing space under glass or plastic, one of Canada’s most concentrated greenhouse clusters.

• One of the economic engines of Ontario’s $3.9 Billion Cdn greenhouse industry sector.

• Over 265 Niagara greenhouse operations producing fl oral and vegetable products for domestic and export markets.

• A substantial infrastructure of mature secondary agri-businesses that support the larger North American greenhouse industry.

NIAGARA WINERIES- AN UNFORGETTABLE TASTE EXPERIENCE

• Niagara is the heartland of the Canadian grape and wine industry.

• With over 80 percent of the nation’s viticulture acreage, Niagara is Canada’s premier grape-growing area.

• A favourable microclimate enables over 60 varieties of grapes to be grown in distinctive grape-growing appellations.

• A cluster of 70 wineries, Canada’s largest concentration, produce distinctive wines including internationally recognized Icewines.

• The Niagara wine industry has assumed a pre-eminent role in developing new wine products, export markets, and signature festivals and events.

• Many wineries offer up-scale Niagara cuisine for the discriminating diner.

• An ambient Niagara Wine Route guides visitors to the many wineries nestled in the small towns and rural areas of Niagara.

BIO-PRODUCTS THAT TRANSFORM

• New opportunities in niche manufacturing industries are taking root in Niagara, such as bio-products derived from hydrocarbons.

• Niagara’s diverse agricultural base of fruit and vegetable commodities and its extensive greenhouse operations provide exceptional opportunities for bio-product development, processing and manufacturing.

• Bio-product companies are fi nding fertile ground in Niagara for growth and research experimentation.

NIAGARA’S AGRI-BUSINESS SECTORNIAGARA CANADA: An Agricultural Powerhouse!

WHAT’S UNIQUE ABOUT NIAGARA CANADA?

Niagara Canada projects the image of one of the world’s

majestic natural icons, Niagara Falls, and the many

tourist attractions for visitors and families scattered

across the region. For the agricultural community, however,

Niagara Canada is an agri-business powerhouse with lush vine-

yards, specialty food processors, world-renowned wineries and

up-scale regional cuisine. It’s all that and more. Both images

project power and natural advantage.

Niagara agri-business is a dynamic, mature segment of the

Canadian agricultural economy that is exploding with diverse

businesses, innovative products and healthy export markets.

Niagara is located in Southern Ontario and is a dynamic hub

along the ‘Golden Horseshoe’ that connects the Greater Toronto

Area of Ontario and upstate New York. Almost 20 percent of all

bi-national trade in goods between Canada and the United

States passes through Niagara’s six border crossings connecting

bi-national gateways to established north-south trade and trans-

portation corridors. Niagara is an ideal location for accessing

125 million North American consumers who are less than

one day’s drive away.

Niagara has an abundance of primary resources on which to

build new agri-business enterprises and products--fresh water

and energy, and basic agricultural commodities such as tender

fruits, vegetables, grains and carbohydrate feed stock.

Here are some examples of what Niagara Canada’s agri-

business sector has to offer.

SPECIALTY FOODS FOR DISCRIMINATING PALATES

• Clusters of specialty food producers take advantage of the abundant supplies of fruit and vegetable products grown throughout the region.

• Small batch production of award-winning sauces, jams, jellies and condiment products are fi nding their way into niche consumer markets.

• Manufacturers of confectionery products such as chocolates and fruit juices, and commodities like cheeses, bakery products, precooked meals and specialty meat products enjoy domestic and international retail market success.

• Internationally acclaimed Niagara cuisine takes advantage of the abundant supplies of locally-grown fruit and vegetable products.

RESOURCES THAT SUPPORT AGRI-BUSINESS GROWTH

• Specialized educational programs, research facilities and business development support to companies at both Brock University and Niagara College.

• Innovative government programs and entrepreneurial fi nancial institutions help convert promising ideas into valued commercial products.

• Bi-national trade and commerce organizations actively promote industry liaison and partnership development.

• Many agri-business companies are discovering the strategic advantages of locating in Niagara, Canada.

SERVING NORTH AMERICAN MARKETS

Niagara is ideally positioned to serve the North

American marketplace. Major road, rail, air,

and water transportation routes connect

Niagara to more than 125 million consumers.

Visit Niagara. We’re

open for your business!

We’ll arrange personal

familiarization tours for

you and your team. Our

economic development

staff and municipal

offi cials will provide you

with all the information you need to make important

investment decisions.

Give us a call. Visit our Web site. See for yourself!

Niagara Economic Development Corporation2201 St. David’s RoadP.O. Box 1042Thorold, ON CANADA L2V 4T7 www.niagaracanada.com

Business Development Inquiries:e-Mail: info@niagaracanada.comTel.: 905.685.1308 Fax: 905.688.5907