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By Cam Lee

Trade mission

Ag minister, industry reps wrap up trade trip to East Asia

Aug 8, 2025 | 11:43 AM

Federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald and reps from the agriculture and agri-food sector just wrapped up a seven-day trade mission to Indonesia, Singapore, and the Philippines.

Stakeholder groups that were part of the mission included Cereals Canada, Soy Canada, Protein Industries Canada, Canada Beef, Pulse Canada, the Canadian Pork Council, and the Canadian Cattle Association.

A government news release says the minister convened meetings between industry representatives and local businesses and importers to discuss market trends, regulatory challenges, and opportunities for growth.

“Our farmers and food processors work tirelessly to produce reliable, high-quality and safe food,” said MacDonald. “Because of the reputation they’ve helped build, more countries are choosing our products, and we’re absolutely focused on creating more opportunities for them by increasing and diversifying our exports, moving forward on new free trade agreements, and raising the profile of the Canada Brand worldwide, especially in areas like the Indo-Pacific.”

CEO of Cereals Canada Dean Dias said the Indo-Pacific region is one of Canada’s most significant and fastest-growing markets for cereals.

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“Canada has enjoyed long-standing trade partnerships with the countries in this region, and the Minister’s presence underscores the importance of these relationships,” said Dias. “The Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office provides boots-on-the-ground trade support to regulators and exporters, and helps to uphold Canada’s reputation for clean, consistent cargos which our Indo-Pacific customers expect.”

Soy Canada Executive Director Brian Innes said Minister MacDonald showed customers that in a world of chaos, they can count on Canada.

“Meeting customers and their governments face to face and supporting the Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office delivers what our customers need,” Innes explained. “With over 70% of our soybeans exported, including $1.5 billion to the Indo-Pacific each year, when we deliver value for customers, we deliver value for farmers and the entire soy value chain.”

CEO of Protein Industries Robert Hunter said the trip reaffirmed the importance of building strong, collaborative relationships with countries that share the same commitment to innovation, sustainability, and food security.

“Canada’s plant-based food and ingredient sector offers high-quality, sustainable protein options that meet the growing demand in the Indo-Pacific. By working with partners across the region, including through the Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office, we can build lasting trade and business relationships that benefit both Canadians and Indo-Pacific consumers.”

Eric Bienvenue, Canada Beef President, said the Indo-Pacific region represents a rapidly growing market for Canadian beef with tremendous potential for long-term trade partnerships.

“Minister MacDonald’s trade mission demonstrates Canada’s commitment to advancing Canadian agriculture through active engagement with key partners,” Bienvenue explained. “Canada Beef appreciates the support of the Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office in Manila in building strategic relationships in the region. Reliable and predictable access, along with a level playing field for Canadian beef in global markets, are core to achieving a truly competitive landscape with our major competitors.”

“The Indo-Pacific holds tremendous potential for Canada’s pulse sector, which is why Pulse Canada was a leading advocate for the creation of the Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office,” said Pulse Canada VP of Market Innovation Julianne Curran. “Pulse Canada has been working for years to diversify markets in the Indo-Pacific and unlock new opportunities for Canadian pulse growers, processors, and exporters, and we are pleased to see the federal government placing a stronger focus on this region and aligning with industry efforts to build long-term, sustainable trade relationships.”

Canadian Pork Council Chair René Roy said they were thrilled to join the discussions.

“As a supporter of the Indo-Pacific Agricultural and Agri-Food Office and of diversifying our trading relationships, the Canadian Pork Council appreciated the wonderful conversations we had with local producers and buyers,” Roy said. “We look forward to continuing these relationships as we help bring the world’s best pork, Canadian pork, to markets around the world.”

Tyler Fulton, Canadian Cattle Association President, said the mission provided excellent opportunities to grow relationships in three priority Southeast Asian markets along with the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

“Canadian beef producers appreciate every opportunity to diversify and gain new markets and opportunities for our nutritious and sustainable Canadian beef products. We are excited for the growth potential in the Indo-Pacific region at large, where Canadian beef is valued for our high-quality, safe product.”