Asian food importer grows with private label deals in Latin America

What started as a small family-owned sushi restaurant in Ottawa has evolved into Ran Foods, a premier Canadian importer and distributor of Asian food products. Today, the Mississauga-based company supplies major retailers, like Costco and Walmart, with its popular HOYA brand of noodles and sauces, introducing convenient, high-quality Asian flavours to Canadian consumers.

But the company’s growth didn’t stop at Canada’s borders. With an eye on international expansion, Ran Foods turned its attention to Latin America (LATAM)—a region offering significant export opportunities for Canadian businesses due to its rapid middle-class growth, dynamic market sectors and favourable trade agreements.

On a recent episode of Export Development Canada’s (EDC) Export Impact Podcast, Daniel Kim, director of operations at Ran Foods, and Jorge Rave, EDC's regional vice-president for Latin America and the Caribbean (LATAC), shared their insights on breaking into this dynamic market. They discussed the importance of market selection, understanding sector growth and adapting to strategies to overcome challenges such as tariffs, supply chain pressures and regulatory compliance.

Tune in to the Export Impact Podcast and find out how Ran Foods overcame challenges to scale globally. Follow us on your favourite streaming platforms, so you never miss an episode. New episodes are released on the last Thursday of each month.

Ran Foods’ journey began with Daniel Kim’s parents and their passion for authentic Asian flavours, opening one of Ottawa’s first sushi restaurants. Their commitment to quality quickly built a loyal following and led to wholesale partnerships, supplying sushi to local Metro grocery stores.

The company's breakthrough came with Costco, marking a pivotal moment in their market selection strategy. However, as Kim notes, “sushi is not the greatest business model at Costco because no one’s going to buy a 48-pack of California rolls on a Wednesday.”

Costco, pleased with the partnership, asked what else the family could offer. This question sparked the idea to import packaged Asian foods from overseas.

Ran Foods now curates and distributes high-quality, convenient Asian food products—such as instant noodles and sauces—across Canada under their own private label brands. By leveraging private label market entry, the company delivers entry-level Asian flavours to major retailers, encouraging Canadian consumers to explore the cuisine further.

While importing Asian food products has fuelled Ran Foods’ growth, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the risks of relying on foreign manufacturers. Supply chain disruptions and prioritization of larger markets, like the United States, meant Canadian companies often faced shortages.

“During COVID-19, one thing we found was that we were one of the few Canadian companies that were really prioritizing Canada,” Kim explains. “That’s really how we expanded our market share because there is a gap there.”

This experience prompted Ran Foods to consider onshoring—moving production to Canada—to gain greater control over quality, supply and profit margins. With raw materials, like wheat, readily available domestically, onshoring became a logical next step for the company.

EDC’s support has been instrumental in accelerating Ran Foods’ onshoring plans. Kim credits EDC for helping the company become more resilient and self-sufficient. This strategic move not only strengthens their supply chain, but also contributes to local job creation and economic growth in Canada.

For Canadian exporters, LATAC presents a natural and exciting opportunity. Jorge Rave points out four factors that make the region highly attractive for market entry and export growth:

1. Proximity and population

LATAC shares time zones with Canada, facilitating business operations and communication. The region is home to 656 million people—representing 8% of the global population—offering a vast consumer base for Canadian products.

2. Growing middle class

A rapidly expanding middle class has increased spending power and demand for quality goods. From 2000 to 2025, the middle class grew from 15% to 41% of the population, creating new export opportunities for Canadian businesses.

3. Youthful demographics

With 33% of the population under 25, LATAC boasts a dynamic and youthful consumer market, driving demand for innovative products and new brands.

4. Trade agreements

There are nine Canadian free trade agreements with countries in the region, simplifying market entry and reducing trade barriers for Canadian exporters.

With these advantages in mind, they explored where Canadian exporters can find the most promising opportunities—and which sectors are driving growth in LATAM.

Which LATAM countries offer the greatest export opportunities for Canadian businesses?

According to Rave, several countries stand out for Canadian exporters. “Places, like Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, of course Peru, offer really great opportunities for Canadian companies,” he says.

What are the fastest-growing sectors in LATAM countries?

Rave says the fastest-growing sectors in LATAM export markets include agriculture, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and technology.

Exporting to international markets presents unique challenges for Canadian businesses, including global economic uncertainty, supply chain disruptions and fluctuating consumer demand. Kim highlights the importance of agility and adaptability in navigating these obstacles: "My five-year plan last year was extremely different from my five-year plan now."

Initially focused on the U.S. market, Ran Foods pivoted to pursue export opportunities in LATAM, Europe and Australia. This market diversification strategy helps mitigate risks associated with relying on a single market.

A key factor in their success has been leveraging partner support, like EDC. Kim emphasizes the value of EDC’s financial solutions, particularly the trade credit insurance (accounts receivable insurance): “Without that, there’s no way we would’ve entered into a market, like Soriana (in Mexico), just because the amount of capital that we would’ve had to put in—it's just not there. So, tools like that have really allowed us to grow rapidly while at a safe pace,” he says.

EDC’s Business Connections Program was also crucial, facilitating introductions to major international buyers such as Soriana. These connections, often made at international trade shows, opened doors that would have been difficult to access otherwise.

Ready to protect your cash flow and expand confidently into new markets?

Discover how EDC’s trade credit insurance can help Canadian exporters manage risk and grow safely.

Drawing from their experiences in international trade, Daniel Kim and Jorge Rave share six essential export tips for Canadian entrepreneurs seeking opportunities in LATAM:

1. Build relationships

Don’t underestimate the power of in-person connections. Attending trade shows and meeting potential partners face-to-face can be a game-changer for market selection and entry points in new regions.

2. Leverage your partners

Organizations, like EDC, offer invaluable market intelligence, financial solutions—such as trade credit insurance—and networking opportunities. Use these resources to navigate regulatory and trade environments and overcome export challenges.

3. Be adaptable

The global business landscape is constantly changing. Stay open-minded and be prepared to pivot your strategy in response to supply chain disruptions, fluctuating consumer demand and regulatory changes.

4. Innovate for new markets

Entering a new region often requires adapting your products. This could mean developing new flavours, redesigning packaging, or adjusting your branding to meet local regulatory requirements and consumer preferences.

5. Consider diversification

Exploring multiple export markets can help protect your business from volatility and financial risks in any single region.

6. Explore onshoring

For greater control over your supply chain to mitigate risks, evaluate the potential for producing your goods in Canada.

From a local sushi restaurant to a global food importer and distributor, Ran Foods’ story is a testament to the power of passion, adaptability and strategic partnerships. By leveraging the support of organizations, like EDC, and remaining agile in a changing world, they’ve successfully expanded their reach into new and exciting markets.

Ready to learn more? Listen to the Export Impact Podcast on edc.ca, or subscribe on Spotify, Apple or Amazon Music, and start turning your international business goals into reality.

This content was created in part using generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI).