RRI.CO.ID, Ottawa - Indonesia’s exports of processed food products to Canada have shown an upward trend in recent years, driven by rising market demand and strengthened trade cooperation between the two countries.

The Indonesian Embassy in Ottawa continues to promote greater market access in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and the Indonesian Export Financing Agency.

Indonesian Ambassador to Canada, Muhsin Syihab, expressed appreciation for this cooperation, noting that institutional collaboration is crucial to strengthening the national export ecosystem.

“The Indonesian Embassy in Ottawa continues to encourage strategic cooperation between Indonesian and Canadian businesses. This step is expected to expand the market for Indonesian processed food products,” Muhsin said in a written statement on Thursday, March 12, 2026.

One of the efforts undertaken was facilitating the signing of virtual trade contracts, connecting Canadian importers with several Indonesian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The importer involved was Exotique Foods, managed by the Indonesian diaspora in Canada. The signing resulted in one memorandum of understanding and five purchase orders.

The total transaction value reached approximately USD 92,000. Products shipped included coconut sugar, palm sugar, ready-to-eat tempeh, fruit chips, fried onions, ginger candy, and gluten-free pasta.

Muhsin said the embassy, together with relevant partners, will continue to expand market access for Indonesian goods, in line with efforts to promote local products in the global market.

Sulaeman, Managing Director of Business II at the Indonesian Export Financing Agency, reiterated the importance of supporting enterprises, emphasizing that export financing is a key component in helping SMEs expand their business capacity.

He added that the Ministry of Trade sees strong prospects for Indonesian products in Canada, with the country’s multicultural market creating opportunities for food and beverage items.

Statistics show that Indonesia’s processed food exports to Canada continue to rise. Export value increased by about 106.8 percent between 2023 and 2025, from USD 56.4 million (around IDR 952 billion) to USD 116.7 million (around IDR 1.97 trillion).

“Over the last two years, this growth has more than doubled. This positive trend is expected to continue as trade cooperation between the two countries strengthens,” he said. (Misni Parjiati/Lasti Martina)