Growth opportunities for Canadian agri-food in the ASEAN market

Dec 18, 2024

As Canada looks to further diversify export markets and reduce the marketing risk that comes from an overreliance on the U.S., Asia looms large. China and India are Asian markets that have not been fully tapped yet but ongoing geopolitical tensions are making it difficult to develop more significant trade relations. Another option for Canadian exporters is Southeast Asia, a key area within the larger Indo-Pacific region. Canada’s exports there have grown across the three major categories of agriculture, food and fertiliser, but there’s even more growth that’s possible.

In this post, we identify some food products and ag commodities highlighted in recent research that are currently not reaching their export potential.

The ASEAN market is one of the world’s largest

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional intergovernmental organization with 10 member states: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Click here to see more...

Video: Independent Seed, National Impact | On The Brink: Episode 9

A survey of 200 independent seed businesses reveals what Canada's seed sector actually contributes — and what it stands to lose.

On the Brink, Justin Funk, a third-generation agri-marketer, shares the findings of a national survey conducted in early 2026. The numbers reframe the conversation: independent seed companies in Canada represent upwards of $1.7 billion in dedicated seed infrastructure, approximately 3,000 full-time equivalent jobs in rural communities, and an estimated $20 million in annual community contributions. And roughly 90% of Canada's cereals, pulses, and other small pollinated crops flow through them.

The survey also asked how dependent these businesses are on public plant breeding to survive. The answer was unambiguous. For policymakers evaluating the future of publicly funded breeding programs, Funk argues the economic case for this sector and the case for public plant breeding are the same argument.

On the Brink is a cross-country video series exploring the future of plant breeding in Canada. Each episode features voices from across the industry in an open, ongoing conversation about innovation and long-term investment in Canadian agriculture.