How agri-food exporters grow in the Indo-Pacific

Why prioritize agri-food exports to the Indo-Pacific

The Indo-Pacific is one of the fastest-growing regions in the world and a priority market for Canadian exporters looking to diversify. Demand for safe, high‑quality food aligns with Canada’s strengths, creating long-term opportunities for food and beverage companies.

Yet, the market can feel large, fragmented and difficult to enter, leaving exporters wondering if the opportunity is worth the investment.

Join award-winning entrepreneur, investor and trusted business advisor, Arlene Dickinson, as she shares her insights and experiences from speaking with exporters successfully growing in the region.

What it really takes to succeed in Indo-Pacific export markets

Succeeding in the Indo-Pacific requires a long-term export strategy that accounts for regulatory challenges, cultural nuances and diverse consumer preferences.

For Canadian food and beverage exporters, this means going beyond initial market entry to build sustainable relationships.

Managing Indo-Pacific market risks and opportunities

This webinar bridges the gap between planning and reality when exporting to the Indo-Pacific. Dickinson shares lessons learned from her recent experiences across the region, highlighting where exporters underestimate risk, move too quickly, or struggle to adapt to local business customs.

You’ll also hear firsthand experiences from the president of Naturally Homegrown Foods, maker of Hardbite root vegetable chips, along with practical advice from EDC and Farm Credit Canada (FCC) on overcoming trade barriers and logistics challenges.

What you’ll learn

By attending this webinar, you’ll gain:

• Insights on trade barriers for food and beverage exporters in the Indo‑Pacific and how free trade agreements can help
• Market observations from Dickinson’s recent Indo-Pac visits, highlighting challenges and opportunities
• Real‑world lessons from Naturally Homegrown Foods, which successfully grew Hardbite chips in the region
• Team Canada support from EDC and FCC to help you access financing, make connections and overcome logistical hurdles

Looking for more details? Explore our frequently asked questions (FAQs) for common financing questions.

Our panel

Moderator

Speakers

Expert insights from our panel

You’ll hear from Arlene Dickinson, alongside firsthand perspectives from Canadian food and beverage exporters and trade experts.

• Arlene Dickinson is a leading Canadian entrepreneur and investor with a proven track record of success. Best known for her role on the TV series Dragons’ Den, she shares learnings from speaking with food and beverage companies scaling in complex, competitive markets. As the founder and general partner of District Ventures Capital, she brings valuable insights from supporting Canadian businesses and engaging with exporters exploring Indo-Pacific opportunities.
• Kirk Homenick, president of Naturally Homegrown Foods, grew Hardbite chips into a Canada-wide brand before exporting to several Indo-Pacific markets, including Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. He’ll share how he overcame trade barriers to successfully grow his business into competitive international markets.
• André Surprenant, senior vice‑president of Western and Prairie Ag Production at FCC, has nearly 25 years’ experience helping agri-food companies access financing. He’s served on the boards of the Agri‑Food Export Group and SIAL Canada. He offers practical insight into the challenges and opportunities for Canadian food and beverage companies entering new markets.

Our moderator is Ashley Kanary, Export Development Canada’s director of Global Agri-food. He brings 40 years’ experience in the grocery retail sector, where he’s held executive leadership roles at major Canadian food companies. Certified in strategy development at Harvard Business School, the seasoned executive specializes in global trade, strategy execution and sustainable business.