Quality, Sustainability and Trust – Canada Soy Advantage
On January 15, 2026, the “Quality, Sustainability and Trust: Canada Soy Advantage” Seminar & Business Matchmaking Event, hosted by the Canada Soybean Council and co-organized by the Guangdong Imported Food Association, was successfully held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Guangzhou. The event brought together more than 30 core institutions and enterprises from across the entire soy industry chain in China and Canada, covering agricultural research, production and processing, trade and distribution, and logistics services. It served as an efficient platform for deepening mutual understanding and fostering practical cooperation between the two sides.
Multiple Stakeholders Gather to Build Industrial Bridges
The event attracted key representatives from every segment of the industry chain. Participants included South China Agricultural University; food processing and manufacturing companies such as Haitian Flavouring and Food Co., Ming Lee Food Factory, Anhui Jinlongyuan Food, Guangzhou Dingsheng Food Technology, Hunan Guangyue Agricultural Products, and Shenzhen Chaoyue Food; as well as trading and supply chain firms including Guangdong Yueliang International Supply Chain, Guangdong GDRC Agriculture, Shenzhen Yihe Food Supply Chain, and Weirui International Supply Chain. Also present were agri-tech companies such as Zhongyi Agricultural Technology, Huashu Biotechnology, and Guangdong Huadou Technology, along with logistics service providers like Yantian International, Hutchison Ports, and COSCO SHIPPING Logistics (Guangzhou). This diverse lineup ensured both depth and breadth in discussions and laid a solid foundation for future collaboration.
Authoritative Insights Highlight Canada’s Soy Advantages
During the keynote seminar session, Brian Innes, Executive Director of the Canada Soybean Council, provided a systematic overview of Canada’s industry structure, sustainable farming practices, and vision for cooperation with China. Following this, Dr. Ning Wang, Lead Researcher of the Soy Quality Program at the Canadian Grain Commission, presented detailed data on Canada’s authoritative quality assurance system. He highlighted that mainstream food-grade soybean varieties in Canada generally contain over 40% protein, with some high-protein types reaching over 41% on a dry basis, while impurity levels are strictly controlled below 0.5%. These figures, along with the low beany flavor and high tofu yield associated with these soybeans, align closely with the Chinese market’s growing need for high-quality, specialized food ingredients, drawing strong interest from local processors.
In terms of market analysis, Ramzy Yelda, Senior Market Analyst with the Canada Soybean Council and the Quebec Grain Producers Association, offered an in-depth look at global soybean supply-demand dynamics and trade trends. Garth Baxter, representing Canadian exporters, shared insights into current market conditions and future outlook based on frontline experience.
Dr. Ning Wang, Lead Researcher of the Soy Quality Program at the Canadian Grain Commission
Spotlight on the Field: A Vision for Sustainable Soy Protein
During the roundtable forum titled “From the Field: Future Outlook for Soy Protein,” Brian Innes joined Jeff Barlow, Chair of the Ontario Soybean Association and Canadian soybean grower, and Frank Prince, a grower from Manitoba, to discuss topics such as high-protein variety development, sustainable cultivation models, and supply chain coordination. Their discussion underscored how Canada’s highly intensive production model and widespread adoption of contract farming offer systemic advantages in ensuring consistent quality, controlling costs, and managing price risks—providing reliable supply assurance for Chinese importers.
Roundtable Forum: "From the Field: Future Outlook for Soy Protein"
Following the seminars, participants engaged in initial exchanges during a networking luncheon. The afternoon business matchmaking session featured dynamic interactions, as Chinese companies held multiple rounds of one-on-one meetings with leading Canadian exporters including DG Global Inc., BroadGrain Commodities Inc., AgriBax Global Inc., Snobelen Farms Ltd., Sevita International, and Agrimagic. Discussions focused on specific areas such as soybean procurement, technical collaboration, and market development.
The next day, building on the outcomes of the previous events, the Consulate General of Canada in Guangzhou organized a field visit for the Canadian delegation to the factory of Haitian Flavouring. This tour allowed Canadian representatives to observe firsthand Haitian’s smart manufacturing processes and stringent quality control systems, laying a stronger foundation for potential future cooperation in technology and supply chains.
Canadian delegates toured Haitian’s “Lighthouse Factory.”
This event was not only a commercial exchange but also a meaningful dialogue on sustainable agriculture. Canada’s longstanding practices in sustainable farming and reliability provide valuable references for China’s industry. According to the Canada Soybean Council, Canada is expected to export 5.45 million metric tons of soybeans in the 2025/26 marketing year, with the proportion of food-grade soybeans continuing to rise.
As Chinese consumers increasingly seek high-quality, traceable food products, Canadian soybeans—with their excellent quality and sustainability credentials—hold promising prospects in China’s premium food ingredient markets. The success of this event marks a new phase in China–Canada soybean trade and industrial cooperation, one defined by a stronger focus on quality, technology, and sustainable development.