Japanese and Southeast Asian food companies, buyers and importers of soybeans learned about Canada’s soybean value chain in a series of two virtual seminars held earlier this month. Hosted by Soy Canada, these virtual trade missions were live-streamed on March 1 and 4, 2022.

“We’re always looking for opportunities to share the work the Canadian soybean industry is doing to deliver high quality, safe and sustainable products,” says Brian Innes, Executive Director, Soy Canada. “These virtual seminars provided a good alternative to in-person trade missions and made it possible to reach a larger audience. They also offer a new opportunity to make connections and share timely information that buyers are looking for, like addressing transportation challenges and soybean acre forecasts for the upcoming growing season.”

Nearly 300 people participated in the events from China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. Following the theme of the events – Delivering Excellence Today and Tomorrow – participants learned about every aspect of the Canadian soybean value chain, from seed research and development, right through to final product delivery. Two feature key-note speakers presented market and commodity outlooks and freight and logistics updates, both popular topics with buyers of Canadian soybeans.

The seminars also included presentations that highlighted the advantages of sourcing Canadian soybeans – including growing conditions, Canada’s traceability program and food safety processes and standards.

“We look forward to connecting our members with customers again in-person, but for now, we are thrilled with the strong interest we had in our virtual seminars and the connections we have developed,” added Innes.