Canada is renowned not only for its pristine natural environment and high safety standards in food production, but also for being one of the world’s agricultural giants. With its vast arable land, cutting-edge farming technologies, and rigorous quality assurance systems, Canadian agriculture stands as a global benchmark.
As part of CASEAN Ag mission to bridge Canadian producers with Southeast Asian markets, we are focusing on a strategic selection of high-potential crops. These agricultural exports not only reflect Canada’s core strengths but also align well with the growing demand trends across ASEAN nations.
1. 🌾 Wheat – Canada’s Golden Grain
- Acreage: 24.6 million acres
- Key Strengths: High-protein, hard red spring wheat; durum wheat for pasta and noodles
- ASEAN Relevance: Key ingredient in bakery, noodle, and convenience food industries
Canada is one of the world’s top wheat exporters, especially valued for its consistent quality and traceability. ASEAN countries with growing middle-class populations and booming food processing industries increasingly look to Canadian wheat for premium flour production.
2. 🌻 Canola – The Healthy Oilseed
- Acreage: 21 million acres
- Key Strengths: Heart-healthy oil, sustainable farming, non-GMO options
- ASEAN Relevance: Ideal for cooking oils, food manufacturing, and biodiesel markets
Canola is a signature Canadian crop, and demand in Asia is rising thanks to its versatility and nutritional value. CASEAN Ag will focus on building direct linkages between Canadian canola growers and ASEAN buyers in food and industrial sectors.
3. 🍺 Barley – Brewing and Beyond
- Acreage: 7.4 million acres
- Key Strengths: High-quality malting barley for beer, and feed-grade barley for livestock
- ASEAN Relevance: Used in beer production, animal feed, and snack foods
As beer consumption increases in markets like Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines, Canadian malting barley – known for its superior malting profile – offers immense value for brewers and feed suppliers alike.
4. 🌱 Soybeans – Protein for the Future
- Acreage: 5.7 million acres
- Key Strengths: High-protein content, non-GMO options, sustainability credentials
- ASEAN Relevance: Key raw material for tofu, soymilk, and animal feed
Canadian soybeans are prized for their protein levels and consistent quality. With the plant-based protein trend gaining ground in ASEAN, CASEAN Ag aims to support the export of both food- and feed-grade soybeans to key processing hubs.
5. 🌿 Lentils – The Plant-Based Powerhouse
- Acreage: 3.8 million acres
- Key Strengths: Top global exporter, drought-resilient, rich in protein and fiber
- ASEAN Relevance: Growing interest in vegetarian and health-conscious foods
Canada is the world’s largest exporter of lentils, particularly to South Asia. Now, with a rising appetite for plant-based proteins in ASEAN, lentils are emerging as a sustainable superfood solution.
6. 🌽 Corn for Grain – Feed and Food
- Acreage: 3.7 million acres
- Key Strengths: High-yielding varieties, premium grades for food and feed
- ASEAN Relevance: Used in livestock feed, corn starch, and food ingredients
With livestock and aquaculture booming in ASEAN, Canada’s high-energy corn provides a reliable supply for feed and industrial food uses.
7. 🌾 Oats – From Fields to Functional Foods
- Acreage: 3.6 million acres
- Key Strengths: Clean-label, gluten-free, and heart-healthy grain
- ASEAN Relevance: Rapid rise in healthy cereals, plant-based milks, and wellness products
Oats are gaining popularity among urban consumers in ASEAN for their nutritional value and ease of preparation. Canada’s oats are some of the cleanest and highest-quality globally.
8. 🥔 Potatoes – Premium Processed Products
- Acreage: 349,000 acres
- Key Strengths: Processing-grade varieties for fries and chips
- ASEAN Relevance: Strong demand in food service and retail snack industries
Canadian potatoes are increasingly exported in processed forms – such as frozen fries and chips – that match the growing fast-food and snack markets across ASEAN.
🌐 What’s Next? Connecting Supply with Demand
Through CASEAN Ag, Canadian producers can gain direct access to ASEAN buyers via a secure, data-driven export platform. And for ASEAN importers, the platform ensures quality sourcing from trusted Canadian farms and cooperatives.
