Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver Conducts Online Seminar on Importing Philippine Food and Agriculture Products to Canada

A photo opportunity during the Online Seminar on Importing Philippine Food and Agriculture Products to Canada with the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver, Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Toronto and Resource Persons from the PH Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, Philippine-based logistics and food export-companies, Canada-based Distributors and Retailers, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the participants from PH and Canada. (Photos by Vancouver PCG)

Vancouver, BC, 22 January 2026 – The Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver, in partnership with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Toronto, conducted an Online Seminar on Importing Philippine Food and Agriculture Products to Canada on 21 January 2026 (Vancouver Time) / 22 January 2026 (Manila Time).

The online seminar was an offshoot of the whole-day Business Session for Filipino-Canadian Entrepreneurs in Vancouver which was held at the Canadian College of Technology and Business (CCTB), 101 Smithe St., Vancouver, BC on 14 August 2025. It aimed to motivate Canada-based businessmen to explore, develop, and scale opportunities for Philippine food and agricultural products in the Canadian market.  The event also provided a timely platform to promote the International Food Exhibition (IFEX), the Philippines’ flagship international food trade show, which will be held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City from 21 to 23 May 2026.

Philippine Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin in Vancouver opened the session and underscored that the Philippines continues to strengthen its agri-food sector through quality upgrading, value addition, and adherence to international standards. At the same time, Canada offers a sophisticated and diverse consumer market with growing demand for high-quality, differentiated food products. Filipino-Canadian entrepreneurs are well-positioned to serve as strategic partners in bridging these two markets.

The online seminar guided participants through the key stages of trading Philippine food food/agri products to Canada. From Pre-shipment of PH products to Canada (PH export rules and procedures and PH-based exporters of food/agri products to Canada’s (their experience and best practices); Arrival of PH Products in Canada (Canada’s import rules and procedures); and  Distribution, Marketing, and Selling of PH products within Canada (Canada-based Distributors of PH products  (experiences and best practices) and Canada-based Retailers/Sellers of PH food/agri products (experiences and best practices).

The online seminar guided participants through the key stages of trading PH food and agricultural products to Canada, to wit:

1.  Session 1: Export Opportunities of Food Products from the Philippines to Canada

Ms. Heizle Trasmanas, Division Chief, Market Division of the DTI-EMB discusses Session 1: Export Opportunities of Food Products from the Philippines to Canada. (Photo by Vancouver PCG)

2.  Session 2: Presentation of PH Export Rules and Procedures 

Ms. Mariz Regis, President & CEO, Airspeed International Corporation delivers her presentation for Session 2: Presentation of PH Export Rules and Procedures. (Photo by Vancouver PCG)

3.  Session 3: Sharing of Experiences and Best Practices by PH-based Exporters

DA Undersecretary Philip C. Young delivers his presentation during Session 3: Session 3: Sharing of Experiences and Best Practices by PH-based Exporters of food/agri products to Canada. (Photo by Vancouver PCG)

Ms. Millet Celones-Dimalanta Export Sales Manager, Mega Prime Foods Inc./Mega Sardines discusses Session 3: Sharing of Experiences and Best Practices by PH-based Exporters of food/agri products to Canada. (Photo by Vancouver PCG)

4.  Session 4: Invitation to International Food Exhibition (IFEX), 21-23 May 2026, Pasay City

Ms. Katrina Pineda, Chief Trade Industry Development Specialist, DTI-CITEM promotes the invitation for the International Food Exhibition (IFEX), 21-23 May 2026, Pasay City. (Photo by Vancouver PCG)

5.  Session 5: Presentation of Canada’s Import Rules and Procedures

Ms. Alia Blais, National Manager, Food Imports, Food Imports/Export Division, International Programs Directorate, Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) presents the Overview of Canada’s Food Import Program under Session 5: Presentation of Canada’s Import Rules and Procedures. (Photo by Vancouver PCG)

Mr. Leo Tian, Business Manager, Chemlinked delivers his presentation for Session 5: Presentation of Canada’s Import Rules and Procedures. (Photo by Vancouver PCG)

6.  Session 6: Presentation of Canada-based Distributors of PH products

Mr. Vincent Uy, President and Co-founder, Corinthian Distributors Ltd. and Mr. Christian Chan, President, New Almanic International Ltd. deliver their presentations for Session 6: Presentation of Canada-based Distributors of PH. (Photos by Vancouver PCG)

7.  Session 7: Sharing of Experiences by Canada-based Retailers/Sellers

Mr. Dunn Plaza, Assistant Store Manager, Lucky Supermarket Winnipeg and Ms. Rowena Pineda, Proprietor, Pinoy Cravings speak for Session 7: Sharing of Experiences by Canada-based Retailers/Sellers of PH food/agri products. (Photos by Vancouver PCG)

Vice Consul Marco Frederick Harder served as moderator and managed the Q&A session. The online seminar was well attended by a diverse group of participants from both Canada and the Philippines. 108 attendees represented a wide range of sectors, including:

• food (cacao, baked goods, snacks, condiments, fresh produce, and other specialty food items and beverage (coffee);
• manufacturing, distribution, and retail;
• trade facilitation and logistics;
• cooperatives,chambers of commerce, and business councils;
• marketing and consulting firms;
• service providers;
• government-related offices
• academic institutions;
• individual entrepreneurs; and
• students and early-stage entrepreneurs.

Deputy Consul General Paul Vincent L. Uy summarized the discussions in his closing remarks. He also reassured the Consulate’s readiness to support the business community in pursuit of economic diplomacy as a pillar of the Philippine foreign service. The event fostered active and engaging interaction between the speakers and participants, underscoring strong interest in the topics discussed and the relevance of the seminar to stakeholders in both Philippine and Canadian markets.  END

A screen capture showing Consul Gina A. Jamoralin delivers her opening remarks before the participants. (Photos by Vancouver PCG)

     A screen capture shows organizers, speakers, guests, and participants during the online seminar.  (Photos by Vancouver PCG)