Soy Canada Connects with Indo-Pacific and Asian Customers to Promote Canadian Soy

Ottawa, ON – The second annual Canadian Soybean Harvest Update attracted more than 100 virtual attendees from Asia and the Indo-Pacific on December 10, 2024. Hosted by Soy Canada, the live streamed event brought together participants from Canada, China, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan and Vietnam.

“Demand for Canadian soybeans is strong in Asian and Indo-Pacific markets, making events like the 2024 harvest update the ideal opportunity to promote Canadian soy and add value to our industry by showcasing what makes Canadian soybeans the best choice for international buyers,” says Nicole Mackellar, manager of market development for Soy Canada.

The event featured keynote speaker, Ross Prusakowski, deputy chief economist at Export Development Canada, who shared insights on the global economic outlook. Presenters Colin Richardson, a Canadian soybean exporter with Snobelen Farms, Ramzy Yelda, a market analyst with Quebec Grain Growers and Brian Innes, executive director with Soy Canada provided the latest updates on the record-breaking 2024 Canadian soybean crop, along with industry and market overviews. A grower panel discussion featuring Melvin Rattai from Manitoba, Jeff Barlow of Ontario and William Overbeek from Quebec rounded out the speaker lineup. Presenters also answered engaging questions from the international audience who shared their appreciation for consistent high-quality Canadian food-grade soybeans.

“It was great to see the participant engagement and the positive response to the industry presentations,” says Mackellar, noting the value of hosting such events extends far beyond the event itself.

While the 2024 event was the second virtual harvest update, Soy Canada has been hosting multiple online market development events that complement the organization’s in-person outgoing missions to Asian and Indo-Pacific countries. These events provide valuable opportunities to promote Canada’s soy industry by attracting soy buyers and food processors.

Soy Canada is a national value-chain organization for the soybean sector, including seed companies, growers, exporters, and processors. Created in 2014, we provide industry leadership on issues affecting the growth and profitability of the soybean sector, coordinate research efforts across the value chain and across the country, as well as lead on market access and market development efforts. Canada is a global leader in producing high quality, sustainable and trusted soybeans for world markets. Soybeans are among the top three most valuable crops in Canada, with 70 per cent of production exported each year.