SIAL Canada confirms Brazil’s growing presence in the North American market and expands the CCBC’s role in commercial connections between the two countries
By Pedro Augusto
Amid the reorganization of international trade, SIAL Canada 2026 highlighted the growing presence of Brazilian companies in the North American market and marked a new phase in trade relations between Brazil and Canada. The combination of trade disputes, changes in global logistics routes, and Canada’s need to reduce its dependence on the United States has led the country to seek new suppliers — a scenario that has created opportunities for Brazilian products.
Brazil’s participation in the 2026 edition was organized by the Chamber of Commerce Brazil-Canada (CCBC), in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA), Invest Paraná, Brazilian Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock (CNA), and the Organization of Brazilian Cooperatives (OCB). Over the course of the three-day event, the Brazilian delegation held 215 business meetings and projected US$4.6 million in deals over the coming months. Beyond the numbers, the event revealed a shift in the profile of negotiations and in the interest shown by Canadian buyers.
According to Beatriz Calegare, Executive Manager of Business Development and Market Intelligence at the Chamber of Commerce Brazil-Canada, Canada is currently undergoing a process of trade diversification, and Brazil has increasingly been seen as a strategic partner in this transition. “Canadians realized they cannot depend solely on the United States and need to diversify,” she stated. “Brazil is gaining ground because of this.”
The assessment is that Brazilian companies arrived better prepared to discuss regulatory requirements, logistics, distribution, and product adaptation for the Canadian market. The current landscape has also benefited small and medium-sized exporters, especially in the food and beverage sectors and in products linked to biodiversity.
The growth of Brazil’s presence at SIAL reinforces this transformation. In 2022, the Brazilian pavilion occupied 18 square meters and hosted around five companies. In 2026, the space expanded to 100 square meters, bringing together more than 50 companies. Highlights included brands such as Natural One and Forno de Minas, in addition to cooperatives and producers of coffee, fruits, nuts, and processed foods.
The CCBC executive also noted that the current international scenario has reignited discussions surrounding the Mercosur-Canada agreement, a topic that has regained momentum in this year’s trade negotiations.
“The agreement had been stalled for a long time. Now there is a real expectation of progress, and that directly impacts the business environment.”
Beyond agribusiness, Brazilian industrial sectors also expanded their presence in agendas promoted by the CCBC alongside the event. Machinery, equipment, metalworking, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals were among the segments participating in business matchmaking sessions and institutional meetings held during the fair.
CCBC in the FIEMG Mission
The strengthening of relations between Brazil and Canada was also reinforced through the Canada Mission 2026, organized by the Federation of Industries of the State of Minas Gerais (FIEMG), in partnership with the National Confederation of Industry (CNI) and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil).
The CCBC acted as a strategic partner for the mission, supporting the organization of agendas, connecting with Canadian companies, and coordinating business matchmaking sessions in Toronto and Montreal.
The initiative brought together business leaders from sectors such as food and beverages, automotive, metalworking, machinery and equipment, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and furniture. Throughout the program, B2B meetings, business forums, and technical visits were organized, reinforcing the CCBC’s role as a facilitator of connections between Brazilian companies and the Canadian market.
