Canadian Plant-Based Companies Gain Market Access to Asia-Pacific Through New Partnership – vegconomist
Protein Industries Canada (PIC) has entered into a strategic partnership with Nurasa, a food innovation company based in Singapore, to help Canadian plant-based food and ingredient businesses expand into the Asia-Pacific market. The partnership, announced today at an event in Singapore, will assist Canadian companies in tapping into one of the world’s fastest-growing markets for plant-based products.
“By partnering with Nurasa, Canadian companies will have a streamlined path into the Asia-Pacific market”
The collaboration, named the Asia-Pacific Market Entry Program, is designed to support Canadian businesses by providing essential market insights, product development, and regulatory navigation. The program aims to help these companies prepare their products for launch in Singapore and throughout the broader Asia-Pacific region.
Strengthening international trade
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, The Honourable Heath MacDonald, noted the importance of this initiative in advancing Canada’s position as a global leader in agricultural innovation. “Canada is a leader in agricultural innovation, and Protein Industries Canada is at its forefront. By partnering with Nurasa, Canadian companies will have a streamlined path into the Asia-Pacific market. This program will help unlock the multi-billion-dollar potential of the sector and foster stronger international trade relationships,” he said.
The Asia-Pacific region, with its growing demand for sustainable and nutritious food, presents a significant opportunity for Canadian companies. The program will provide access to Nurasa’s commercial network across Asia and offer product localization support to help businesses tailor their offerings to regional tastes and preferences. Additionally, the program will assist in overcoming market-entry barriers, particularly in navigating complex regulatory requirements.
Overcoming market entry barriers
Robert Hunter, CEO of Protein Industries Canada, stated, “We are pleased to partner with Nurasa to create a streamlined pathway for Canadian plant-based companies to enter the Asia-Pacific market. This partnership removes key barriers to market entry, diversifies export opportunities, and supports the goal of growing Canada’s plant-based food and ingredient sector into a $25 billion industry by 2035.”
Nurasa’s involvement will include leveraging its regional expertise and state-of-the-art facilities to provide technical and product development support for Canadian companies. The company will also help with product optimization, ensuring that Canadian plant-based offerings are market-ready.
Combining food security and sustainability goals
Xiuling Guo, CEO of Nurasa, commented, “Our mission is to accelerate the adoption of accessible and affordable food innovation across Asia and beyond. By combining Canada’s leadership in sustainable agriculture and plant-based expertise with Singapore’s strategic position, this partnership will help overcome market-entry barriers and contribute to food security and sustainability goals across the region.”
The program, which is open to Canadian companies until October 15, 2025, will run through July 2027. A total investment of $1 million has been allocated to the initiative, aimed at supporting the growth of the plant-based sector in both Canada and the Asia-Pacific region. For more information or to apply, interested parties can visit the Protein Industries Canada website.
link
