By Tony Melis,
CEO, SIAL Canada
Good morning, and welcome to SIAL Canada 2025!
It’s a real pleasure to open the doors of this year’s edition here in Toronto—after a fantastic show in Montreal last year, we’re excited to return to the Enercare Centre for three packed days of innovation, insight, and meaningful connections.
This year also marks a proud milestone: Canada is our Country of Honour. It’s an opportunity to highlight the depth and diversity of the national agri-food industry, from family farms to cutting-edge innovators. In this issue of the magazine, you’ll find exclusive interviews with the Ministers of Agriculture from Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, each offering a unique perspective on their province’s priorities and strengths.
We’ll be kicking things off this afternoon with the Official Opening Ceremony. Join us as we welcome key players from the agri-food sector, government representatives, and international dignitaries for a moment of reflection and celebration. The program will include remarks from leading voices in the sector, followed by a ribbon-cutting and an exclusive guided tour of the show floor.
As always, SIAL Canada is a reflection of the industry itself: a mosaic of voices, cultures, and ideas, all coming together to shape the future of food. Whether you’re an exhibitor, buyer, distributor, or innovator, this is your platform to explore everything from fresh produce and food tech to dairy, packaging, and foodservice.
Among today’s highlights is the announcement of the SIAL Innovation Awards. This year’s winners represent the forefront of agri-food trends in sustainability, health, convenience, and product innovation. Be sure to explore the Innovation Zone and take note of what’s catching the industry’s attention.
We’re also hosting the much-anticipated SIAL Cheese Competition, shining a spotlight on excellence in cheesemaking. From bold artisanal creations to refined classics, this competition is always a crowd favourite.
If you’re looking for the next big idea, don’t miss the SIAL Start-Up Village, where emerging entrepreneurs are presenting forward-thinking solutions to tomorrow’s food challenges. And of course, our conference programme is in full swing, offering expert-led sessions on everything from AI in agri-food to sustainable retail practices and international trade.
At SIAL Canada, our goal is simple: to connect the industry and spark progress. I encourage you all to make the most of the next three days—discover, discuss and get inspired. Here’s to a great show!