PH agri-food products showcased at SIAL exhibition in Canada

Filipino agricultural and food products took center stage in Canada as the Philippines opened its country space at the 2026 Salon International de l'Alimentation (SIAL) in Montreal.

This marked the Philippines' return to one of North America’s major agri-food exhibitions after seven years.

In a statement, the Philippine Embassy in Canada said the opening of the Philippine Country Space on April 29 signaled the country’s renewed push to promote export-ready Filipino products in the global market, from tropical fruits and coconut-based goods to marine ingredients and other value-added food items.

Philippine Ambassador to Canada Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga said the country’s participation in SIAL was more than just a comeback, but a statement that the Philippines is ready to be “an active and reliable partner in the global agri-food sector.”

“But more than Canada being a market, we also look at this country as a partner towards addressing food insecurity and ensuring that we are able to work with each other towards more efficiency, security and collaboration in the food sector,” Chan-Gonzaga said in a statement from the embassy.

The ambassador also cited the Philippines’ efforts to strengthen its halal industry through improved production capacity, certification systems, logistics, value chains, and international partnerships.

The embassy said these efforts are aimed at ensuring that Philippine products meet global standards for quality, safety, and integrity, especially as demand grows in Canada for halal, sustainable, and responsibly sourced food.

Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce Mayor Stephanie Valenzuela, for her part, highlighted the potential of Philippine food products in the global market and the growing opportunities for stronger Philippines-Canada cooperation in trade, investment, and cultural exchange.

Visitors to the Philippine Country Space may sample and discover a distinctly Filipino showcase of flavors and products that reflect the country’s rich agricultural resources, food traditions, and growing innovation in the food sector.

“I hope that the Philippine country space in SIAL can be more than just an exhibit or a market place. Let it be a platform for connection and a gateway for partnerships. For after all, food is a great connector in that it allows us to better understand each other. Our food products will always embody the history, culture, heritage and the narrative of the people that produce them,” Chan-Gonzaga said. —KG, GMA News