Food Industry Opportunities at SIAL Canada

A Conversation with Tony Melis CEO of SIAL Canada

View this article featured in CANADIAN BUSINESS OWNER Magazine

Innovation and International Expansion at SIAL CANADA

This year's SIAL Canada has shown tremendous growth, with Melis confirming that "2025 was off with big starts. Our numbers are up the previous years." The event has several distinctive elements making it special, including Canada being named country of honour and multiple competitions that attract significant attention.

"We have our SIAL innovation competition and our SIAL international cheese competition. Those are 2 big things that attract a big audience," Melis explained. "We have our SIAL pitch competition and startup competition."

At its core, Melis says SIAL's mission is clear: "to connect people, drive innovation and create opportunities." This mission appears to be resonating throughout the industry as "there is a taste for people to do business, to explore new innovative products, explore new opportunities."​

The international scope of the event is particularly impressive. "We have 44 countries represented on our show floor. Our visitors come from 77 countries," notes Melis. This global representation reinforces what SIAL aims to showcase: "what's new, what's next, and what's possible."

On Global Opportunities in the Food Industry

​Recent global uncertainties have created new dynamics in international trade, according to Melis. "I think it was a wake up call, not only for Canadian companies, but companies around the worlds and countries around the world... to have a look again at our supply chain," he stated.

This reassessment has positioned Canada favorably in the global marketplace. Melis has observed international trade organizations at SIAL saying "We want to explore doing business with Canada more. We've targeted Canada is known for its quality products."

The interest appears mutual, with Canadian businesses increasingly exploring new markets. "I've really noticed that Canada is open for business, you know, whether it's from the East Coast to the West Coast," Melis observed. "A lot of companies are looking to also explore export markets that maybe they have not explored in the past."

Melis believes this shift represents a fundamental change triggered by recent global challenges: "I think it took a crisis as a wake up call for companies to say there are other markets out there and I think let's explore them." Melis sees as an "untapped opportunity" for Canadian businesses to diversify and strengthen their position in the global food industry.