By Today marked the official opening of the Italian participation at SIAL Canada 2026, one of the most significant events of the year for the global agri-food sector.
With over 800 exhibitors from around the world and more than 25,000 professionals expected — including buyers, importers, distributors and experts from over 70 countries — the event confirms its role as a strategic platform for companies aiming to develop or strengthen their presence in international markets, particularly in North America.
Italy is present with 55 stands for a total of 520 square meters and 56 participating companies.
In this context, the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) organizes an Italian collective participation of 223 square meters, divided into two exhibition islands and dedicated to 27 companies, with the aim of enhancing agri-food excellence, encouraging the entry into the Canadian market of new companies and consolidating the presence of those already active.
ITA Canada’s participation in SIAL Canada 2026 is part of the consolidated collaboration with Universal Marketing, Sial Group’s sole agent for Italy, strengthening the presence and visibility of Made in Italy within the event.
The Italian agri-food sector is in strong dynamism, with significant growth in all categories: on average we are between 7% of wine and 58% of coffee. And in fact, between 2023 and 2025, bakery and bakery products (+57.2%), olive oil (+55.3%) and cheese and dairy products (+50.2%) stand out. Cured meats also recorded a significant increase (+36%). An interesting fact is represented by flours, which mark a slight decline in 2024 of -3.69%), only to reverse course decisively in 2025 recording an astonishing +26.28%).
Very encouraging data at the beginning of the year: flours exploded with +62.7%, becoming the most dynamic category of the period. This is followed by prepared or preserved tomatoes (+37.6%) and cheeses and dairy products (+26.7%), confirming a particularly brilliant start to 2026 for processed products and Italian dairy excellence.
This year at SIAL, Canada we will welcome a record number of Italian exhibitors.
This also clearly reflects the dynamism of trade between our two countries and responds to the growing demand from Canadian buyers for Italian food products, renowned for their quality. I would like to thank our sole agent Universal Marketing, who has been supporting us on the Italian market for many years, and also express sincere thanks to the Italian Trade Agency Canada for the valuable institutional support. – said Stephane Thuillier, General Manager / CEO SIAL Canada.
The Italian system in Canada is committed to strengthening Italy’s presence on the Canadian agri-food market in a stable way. The extremely positive data of recent years confirm the strength of Italian excellence in a context characterized by a growing propensity of Canadian consumers towards European quality, style and consumption models. The significant direct investments made in recent years by Italian companies, with the opening of new production plants in Canada, outline prospects for further growth. – said the Ambassador of Italy to Canada Alessandro Cattaneo
2026 is a very important year for Italy in Canada: the best year ever for our imports of authentic made in Italy products with 13.6 billion CAD (about 9 billion euros), plus 40% post covid and the food sector also contributes to this success with 2.6 billion CAD (= 1.7 billion euros) and plus 40% also post covid. From 2025 Canadians buy much more in Canada, we had 11 companies last year now 27, there is a great deal of appropriation in the market of the strengths of our gastronomy, all food sectors are growing (most in double digits). – said Carlo Bocchi, Italian Trade Commissioner in Canada
We are particularly happy that Italian companies have returned in large numbers, 50% more than last year. It is confirmation of the great market moment for authentic Italian products in Canada but also that SIAL is the main business platform for the dissemination of Made in Italy food in Canada – said Donato Cinelli, President of Universal Marketing, SIAL Group’s sole agent for Italy.
