For three days this spring, from April 29 to May 1, the heart of the global agrifood industry beat in Toronto as the city hosted SIAL Canada 2025, North America’s largest trade show dedicated to food innovation and sustainability. Held at the Enercare Centre, the event welcomed more than 1,000 exhibitors from 44 countries and attracted more than 23,000 professionals from 77 nations, reaffirming Toronto’s position as a nexus for agri-food innovation and global trade dialogue.
Greece’s presence was both dynamic and strategically calibrated. Twenty-five leading Greek companies participated in the exhibition, showcasing premium products that reflected Greece’s dual commitment to heritage and innovation. The range included everything from extra virgin olive oils and olives to traditional sweets, stuffed peppers, savory pies, baked goods and dried fruits, emblematic of a Mediterranean diet that continues to captivate global markets.
One of the highlights of the delegation was the promotion of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) products in partnership with the Latvian delegations. Eight thematic dinners and promotional events highlighted emblematic regional specialties, such as Stylida and Rovies green olives, Vostizza currants, Kozani saffron and Graviera cheese from Crete and Kalavryta. As well as celebrating Greece’s unique culinary geography, the events also promoted European cooperation, with Latvian dairy products and confectionery also featured, underlining the pan-European scope of the initiative.
These efforts were part of a wider European program entitled ‘Information provision and promotion measures on value added agricultural products in Canada, South Korea and Malaysia’, operating under the Premium European Products brand. The program was led by the National Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Greece (NUACG), which represents more than 300 cooperatives. NUACG promoted eleven PDO products, including Kolymvari olive oil from Crete, Corinthian raisins and the emblematic Kozani saffron.
The Premium European Products initiative attracted considerable attention from North American buyers and industry stakeholders, reinforcing the global value of certified European quality.
The Greek delegation’s presence reflected a broader strategic ambition to reaffirm Greece’s position as a leading agri-food exporter committed to sustainability, authenticity and innovation.
Senior Trade Commissioner Dionysis Protopapas and Commercial Attaché Michalis Mavroukakis organized Greece’s presence at SIAL Canada 2025, but also the participation of most of the Greek delegations.
Dimitris Vohaitis is a journalist based in Toronto.
