A delegation of Canada’s soy industry just returned from promoting Canadian soybeans in Japan and Indonesia. The delegation met with current and potential customers to share how Canada is a high-quality, reliable source of soybeans that can support the growing demands of soy food markets.
“With unprecedented uncertainty facing agri-food exports, connecting with our customers to better understand their needs is more important than ever,” says Brian Innes, Soy Canada executive director. “This year’s mission saw more than 20 exporters and growers come together to share what Canada offers, advancing their own businesses and growing the value of our exports.”
The outgoing mission was led by Soy Canada, and from February 24 to March 4, 2025 Canadian delegates met with customers in Jakarta, Tokyo and Osaka about their needs and priorities. Innes describes the annual event as an opportunity to add value to Canada’s industry, especially given the unpredictability of the current global trade environment. “Our approach this year was to share with soy food manufacturers the quality they can get from Canadian soybeans, gain a better understanding of evolving market needs, and strengthen our industry’s competitiveness,” he says.
Over the course of the mission the delegation connected with more than 220 customers in three cities, including four facility visits to tempeh and tofu manufacturers. The Indonesian and Japanese demand for soybeans to make food products is approximately four million tonnes annually, with a significant quality range from commodity soybeans to specialty identified preserved varieties for tofu manufacturing. With 70% of Canada’s production exported each year, the demand growth and value added opportunities across these two markets represent significant growth and value potential for Canadian soybeans.