Processed food businesses have a wide open path to exporting to Canada.

According to the Vietnam Trade Office in Canada, opportunities for cooperation in the processed food sector between Vietnamese and Canadian businesses will expand significantly in 2025.

Potential for cooperation in energy and nuclear power.

Statistics from the General Department of Customs show that in 2024, the value of goods exported from Vietnam to Canada reached over US$6.37 billion, an increase of 13.4% compared to 2023. This is an impressive growth rate since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ms. Tran Thu Quynh, Commercial Counselor of the Vietnam Trade Office in Canada, stated that with an export growth rate of 13.4% in 2024, Vietnam has become Canada's leading trading partner in the ASEAN region and its sixth largest trading partner among the 40 countries in the Indo- Pacific region.

Among Vietnamese goods exported to Canada, textiles and garments accounted for the largest export value, reaching US$1.2 billion, a 10.4% increase compared to the same period last year and representing 19% of total exports. Along with textiles and garments, the export value of machinery, equipment, tools, and spare parts also saw significant growth, accounting for a substantial proportion of goods exported to this market.

In 2024, Vietnam's merchandise exports to Canada reached over US$6.37 billion, a 13.4% increase compared to 2023. Photo: Duong Huong

Notably, Mr. Ta Hoang Linh, Director of the European and American Market Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade), stated that trade between Vietnam and Canada is receiving strong impetus from the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans- Pacific Partnership Agreement (CPTPP).

After six years of implementing the CPTPP, bilateral trade between Vietnam and Canada has grown remarkably, with trade turnover nearly doubling from US$3.8 billion in 2018 to US$6.2 billion in 2023, affirming the agreement's important role in promoting bilateral economic cooperation.

Through the CPTPP, Vietnam is currently focusing on increasing the added value of its exports and overcoming technical barriers to better utilize the advantages of the Agreement. Participating in the commitments of the CPTPP Agreement also helps Vietnam promote institutional reforms, improve its legal system towards greater transparency, and open up significant opportunities for investment and business cooperation for enterprises of both countries.

Energy, or nuclear power, is a potential area for cooperation between Vietnam and Canada.

Notably, according to experts, energy and nuclear power are potential areas of cooperation between the two countries. This is because Canada is currently a major energy exporter globally. Oil and gas products account for up to 20% of Canada's export value, equivalent to approximately US$120 billion per year.

Furthermore, Canada is the world's fourth-largest producer of crude oil and the fifth-largest producer of natural gas. Canada also possesses the world's third-largest oil reserves, accounting for 11% of the world's total reserves.

In the field of nuclear power, Canada is technologically self-sufficient in nuclear reactor technology (CANDU), with a long history and reputation (dating back to the 1960s). Furthermore, in addition to mastering the technology, Canada is the world's second-largest producer of uranium, accounting for 15% of the global supply.

“Canada’s energy strengths stem from its efforts to build a visionary energy strategy and its significant investment in technological development. In addition, Canada has the capacity to provide financial support and effective safety management expertise in various energy sectors, including nuclear power, wind power, and biomass power…” – Ms. Tran Thu Quynh stated.

Another "door" for exporting processed food.

Along with energy, processed food is also one of the potential areas for domestic businesses when cooperating with Canada. In 2025, opportunities for cooperation in this field will expand further as, for the first time, Vietnamese businesses will have the chance to participate in a trade promotion delegation in the processed food sector on both the East Coast (Toronto) and West Coast of Canada (Vancouver) from April 28th to May 4th.

The Vietnam Trade Office in Canada believes this is a rare opportunity for Vietnamese processed food businesses to explore the market and introduce high-quality, innovative products to Canadian consumers; and to meet and connect with partner businesses in Canada.

Processed food is also one of the potential areas for domestic businesses when cooperating with Canada. Photo: Hai Minh

As part of the program, businesses will participate in SIAL Canada 2025, North America's largest food trade show, at the Enercare Centre (Toronto). This is the largest annual trade event in the food industry in the region, long considered a gateway to connecting with the North American and global markets. Previous editions of SIAL have attracted thousands of international businesses and brands from around the world to showcase their products.

By participating in SIAL 2025, in addition to exhibiting, businesses also have the opportunity to attend seminars and workshops within the framework of the Fair and network with customers at the Vietnamese pavilion at the event.

As one of many successful agricultural export businesses, Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong - Business Director of Golden Cashew Company Limited - said that in order to export, before the Agreement was implemented, Golden Cashew had focused on quality and emphasized building product brands.

At the same time, through trade promotion activities and business networking from ministries and agencies, Golden Cashew has connected and participated, thereby promoting its products to consumers in Canada and other CPTPP member countries.

“ To successfully penetrate and compete with major partners in the global market, Golden Cashew not only focuses on product quality but also on understanding the market. These are all high-end markets with strict standards regarding quality and food safety and hygiene…” – Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong informed, adding that the Japanese and Canadian markets… prefer organic cashew products, but the area for growing this product domestically is still limited, and the procedures for certifying organic cashew products are still restrictive. Therefore, in recent times, Golden Cashew has been striving to expand its organic growing area and complete the procedures to meet the standards of the export market.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong, participating in the trade promotion delegation in the processed food sector in Canada will be a tremendous opportunity for domestic businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, to promote their products and seek opportunities for trade cooperation.

According to Ms. Tran Thu Quynh, in addition to supporting businesses in participating in trade promotion activities and business networking, in 2025, the Vietnam Trade Office in Canada will also coordinate with relevant partners to organize purchasing delegations including supermarkets, distribution systems, and Canadian buyers to Vietnam to find suppliers and attend major international trade fairs and exhibitions in the country.

The Commercial Counselor of the Vietnam Trade Office in Canada affirmed that throughout 2025, the Trade Office will continuously update information on important programs, trade fairs, and events, and implement activities to provide information and support to Vietnamese businesses in showcasing and promoting their products and accessing the Canadian market to boost bilateral trade cooperation and expand markets for goods.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/doanh-nghiep-thuc-pham-che-bien-rong-duong-xuat-khau-sang-canada-374425.html