Carman, MB (September 15, 2011) – Representatives from the Asian soyfood processing sector are spending six days in Canada to learn more about the quality of Canadian food‐grade soybeans and the industry that is committed to delivering a safe, high quality product to meet their needs.
The 2nd CSC Asia‐Canada Soybean Program runs from September 18 to 23, 2011. The program is sponsored by the Canadian Soybean Council (CSC) and coordinated by the Canadian International Grains Institute (CIGI). The fourteen participants attending the program represent key soybean processing companies located in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Taiwan.
“This is an excellent opportunity for Canada’s soybean industry to demonstrate to these companies Canada’s capabilities to produce quality soybeans that offer unique processing
characteristics for food uses,” says Dr. Linda Malcolmson, CIGI’s Manager of Special Crops, Oilseeds and Pulses. “This program is designed to showcase how the Canadian industry works
together throughout the value chain to provide a high‐quality product to the customer.”
The program begins in Winnipeg on September 18 with a visit to a soybean farm. This will be followed by presentations from the Canadian Grain Commission on the Canadian Identity
Preserved Recognition System (CIPRS) and inspection and grading of Canadian soybeans. The group will then depart for Eastern Canada. While in Quebec and Ontario the group will visit
farms, soybean handling and processing facilities, the Montreal Port Authority, and Agriculture and Agri‐Food Canada’s Harrow Research Centre. The group will also meet with representatives from the government and from grower and industry organizations.
The program is part of the Canadian soybean industry’s efforts to strengthen relationships with buyers of food‐grade soybeans. “Over the past few years the CSC, in partnership with CIGI, has led a number of initiatives including outgoing missions to Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Japan as well as incoming programs like this one to allow for the exchange of technical information and to discuss future requirements,” says Malcolmson. “Everyone involved benefits from these opportunities.”
Established in 2005, the CSC is a national organization representing soybean growers in Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba. Its members include the Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO), the Manitoba Pulse Growers Association (MPGA) and the Fédération des Producteurs de Cultures Commerciales du Quebec (FPCCQ). CSC’s role is to identify and develop new markets for Canadian soybeans through collaborative market development initiatives.
Since 1972 more than 34,000 people representing grain, oilseed, pulse and special crops industries from 115 countries have participated in CIGI programs and seminars. CIGI is a non‐
profit market development organization whose role is to create market opportunities for Canadian field crops. Core funding is provided by Agriculture and Agri‐Food Canada and the Canadian Wheat Board. Additional funds and support are provided by other sectors of the agriculture industry.
For more information contact:
Linda Malcolmson, PhD
Canadian International Grains Institute
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Cell: (204) 223‐7524
Nicole Mackellar
Market Development Coordinator
Grain Farmers of Ontario
Guelph, Ontario
Cell: (226)‐979‐5591