Canada Food Expo (September 2024)

September 22-October 1, 2024 (deadline to register is May 29, 2024)

South Korea, Japan & Taiwan

The Canadian Food Exporters Association in partnership with the Trade Commissioner Service, provincial governments and the Quebec Agri-Food Export Group are inviting Canadian companies to apply for the 2024 Canada Food Expo (CFE), taking place in Seoul, Tokyo, Osaka, and Taipei from September 22 to October 1.

All three markets are dynamic economies, net food importers and among the largest export destinations for Canada’s agriculture and seafood sectors. Japan is Canada’s third largest export destination for agriculture and seafood products, with exports valued at $4.4 billion in 2023. South Korea is Canada’s eighth largest destination for agriculture and seafood products, with exports valued at $980 million in 2023. In 2023, Canada’s exports of agriculture and seafood products to Taiwan increased by 20% to $404 million.

WHAT IS CFE?

CFE is an in-market mission to Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan that allows Canadian exporters to meet potential buyers and test their products in multiple markets at once.

Eligible products: The 2024 program seeks to promote innovative products that are geared towards a health-conscious consumer. Specifically, we are looking for processed food and beverage products that: 1) are fortified; 2) have functional or nutritional benefits; 3) are plant-based, natural, low additive or no additive; and/or 4) organic. This does not include nutritional supplements or nutraceuticals. While the preference is for retail or consumer-packaged products, we can also accommodate bulk ingredients.

Given capacity restrictions, we are only able to include 5 companies through our association and companies will be reviewed by the Trade Commissioner Service and approved based on the following criteria:

  • Product eligibility
  • Export readiness
  • Export experience, including to Asian markets
  • Feedback from local buyers; and
  • Market access considerations

Preference will be given to small and medium-sized enterprises and companies that have experience selling to large retailers such as Costco or by e-commerce.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT DURING CFE

  • Market preparation meetings with Trade Commissioners
  • Sector briefings
  • Meetings with local importers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers
  • Site visits

TENTATIVE ITINERARY

Seoul, South Korea (September 22-24)

  • Arrive from Canada by September 22 evening.
  • September 23: Customized business meetings, lunch networking reception, and table-top event.
  • September 24: Site visits. End at 2 p.m.
  • Afternoon flight to Tokyo at your own expense (3 hours)

Tokyo, Japan (September 24-26)

  • Arrive from Seoul by September 24 evening.
  • September 25: Customized business meetings, lunch networking reception, and table-top event.
  • September 26: Customized business meeting and site visits. End at 4 p.m.
  • Evening bullet train to Osaka at your own expense (2.5 hours)

Osaka, Japan (September 26-27)

  • Arrive from Tokyo by September 26 evening.
  • September 27: Customized business meetings, lunch networking reception, and table-top event.

Free time on Saturday, September 28 and Sunday, September 29.

Taipei, Taiwan (September 29-October 1)

  • Please arrive to Taipei from Japan by Sunday, September 29 evening. The flight to Taipei (3 hours) is at your own expense.
  • September 30: Customized business meetings, lunch networking reception, and table-top event.
  • October 1: Site visits.
  • End of program.

COSTS

Once approved you will be invoiced a participation fee of CDN $2,300.00 which covers the cost of conference rooms & bus rentals, carbon offset fee for air travel, as well as interpreter services.

You will also be responsible for the cost of shipping product samples to all three markets, flights (to/from Canada and within the three markets), local transportation (train, metro, taxis), accommodation, meals, and incidentals.

REGISTRATION

Registration for this event is available online at https://www.cfea.com/canada-food-expo-2024-registration.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Funding for this program is provided by:
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s /Agriculture et Agroalimentaire Canada
AgriMarketing Program / Programme Agri-marketing

Cancellation Policy:  No cancellation once your company is approved to participate.

Travel Funding (for CFEA members only):

After the event, CFEA members will receive a claim form to apply for the travel reimbursement consisting of:

Airfare: 50% reimbursement of premium economy airline ticket to and from Canada, 50% reimbursement of economy airline ticket from Seoul to Tokyo, 50% reimbursement of economy ticket from Osaka to Taipei (maximum one per company)

Train: 50% reimbursement of train ticket from Tokyo to Osaka (maximum one per company)

Per Diems: a per diem of $287.50 per day up to 10 days (weekend time off not included) (maximum one people per company)

We reserve the right to limit the maximum reimbursement if the airline tickets exceed our budget.

You are not obligated to be a member to participate with us. If you are a not a member and would like access to the travel funding you can become member by registering at https://www.cfea.com/application.