Saskatchewan hosts first commodity showcase to connect producers with global buyers

Saskatchewan is actively seeking to expand its global export market through its first-ever agricultural commodity showcase, hosted by the Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP). The event brings together international buyers and local producers, fostering opportunities for new business relationships and increased trade.

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We are looking for raw materials for our production facilities as well as retail products for our chain of supermarkets in Panama.

Buyers like Gretha Rodriguez from Panama City are attending to source raw materials and retail products for their companies. Rodriguez expressed interest in products such as camelina oil, noting its potential appeal to Panamanian consumers. Officials from 14 countries, including Argentina, Colombia, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, are present, looking for a wide range of commodities like grains, pulses, oilseeds, and animal feed.

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There are a lot of ways to measure success here, really. Even if a deal isn’t signed in the room, the relationship that works towards a deal is a success, because we are in this for the long game.

Chris Lane, president and CEO of STEP, highlighted the event's focus on creating long-term business connections, even if immediate deals are not finalized. He emphasized that the showcase involves a targeted global recruitment effort to match international buyers' specific needs with Saskatchewan suppliers. Buyers will engage in meetings, facility tours, and farm visits over three days.

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Yesterday we met a company that produced camelina oil, and it’s a very interesting product for us. It’s a different product for our customers in Panama.

Mansoor Ali, CEO of Pakistani edible oil company Dalda, sees value in direct communication with producers to streamline the importing process for products like canola. He believes understanding producers' methods can lead to more efficient supply chains and better product availability for consumers. The showcase aims to build confidence by allowing buyers to directly understand the origin and production of Saskatchewan's agricultural goods.

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This is unique in that it was a concerted global recruitment effort to make sure that the work was done to really qualify the kind of buyers from wherever they are in the world and match them very specifically with Saskatchewan suppliers that meet their needs.