Grocery Innovations Canada 2025

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of Quebec (MAPAQ), in collaboration with the Quebec Office in Toronto and the Groupe Export, invites you to join a trade mission to the Grocery Innovations Canada 2025 show — one of the largest food industry events in the country.

This trade show also serves as a strategic platform for suppliers, wholesalers, service providers, and tech companies looking to showcase their offerings to major national and independent retailers and buyers.

Why participate?

This must-attend event attracts over 5,600 visitors, 600 exhibitors, and 1,500 businesses from the agri-food sector. It offers a unique opportunity to:

• Meet potential buyers and partners,
• Discover the latest market trends,
• Position your products across the Canadian market.

The show features product showcases, educational sessions, live demonstrations, and many networking opportunities, offering valuable insights into market innovations and trends.

Two participation options for 2025

Shared 400 sq. ft. booth – Quebec Pavilion includes:

• 1 counter with your company logo (file to be provided): limited space per company,
• B2B meeting opportunities organized by the show, MAPAQ, and the Quebec Office in Toronto (subject to approval),
• 2 exhibitor badges,
• Event coordination and on-site support provided by a Groupe Export representative.

8 spots available.
Participation cost: $1,900

Individual booth – 100 sq. ft. (10’ x 10’)

• 1 booth with pipe and drape structure and carpet,
• 1 customized counter (logo to be provided),
• 1 stool with backrest,
• 1 trash bin,
• B2B meeting opportunities organized by MAPAQ and the Quebec Office in Toronto (subject to approval),
• 5 exhibitor badges,
• Event coordination and on-site support provided by a Groupe Export representative.

4 spots available.
Participation cost: $3,300

Limited space – Registration deadline: August 19, 2025

Market Data

According to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Canadian grocery market experienced sustained growth, reaching an estimated total revenue of CAD $192 billion in 2023. Supermarkets and hypermarkets remain dominant distribution channels, accounting for 46.5% and 20.9% respectively of essential food retail sales. This growth is largely driven by the rise in online sales, which reached CAD $1.2 billion in 2023 — a significant increase from CAD $42.6 million in 2018.

Financial Assistance for Exhibitors

• $1,000 flat travel allowance per person (maximum of two per company).
• To be eligible, you must provide:
  • Proof of travel (e.g.: invoice for plane, train, or bus ticket, itinerary, fuel receipt near the destination).
  • AND proof of accommodation (official hotel, Airbnb invoice, etc.).
• For two reimbursements: this documentation must be provided for each individual.
• If transportation is shared: two separate accommodation proofs are required, in the name of the company or traveler.
• If accommodation is shared: two separate travel proofs are required.
• You will be entitled to an extra $500 per lump sum if your company is located in one of the following regions and that the departure also takes place from one of the following regions : Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Côte-Nord, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Nord-du-Québec.
• 50% subsidy on booth setup and sample shipping costs (via consolidation with Groupe Export), up to $6,000 in eligible expenses.
• Groupe Export reserves the right to request any additional supporting documentation.

Commitment: By registering, you agree to submit an activity report within 60 days following the event. Failure to meet this deadline may result in repayment of the subsidies received. This data is used to measure the economic impact of the activity.

Cancellation Policy

Groupe Export Agri-Food is a non-profit organization (NPO) that manages export assistance programs from the Quebec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

As a manager of government programs, Groupe Export has established a general policy to be followed when participating in a trade show. Details are as follows:

• When a company representative completes the participation/registration form for a trade show, this document automatically constitutes a contract between Groupe Export and the company.
• Within five days of registration, the company must pay 50% of the participation fees. These fees can be paid by cheque, bank transfer, or credit card by contacting Groupe Export’s accounting department at 450‑649‑6266. Direct deposits are preferred.
• The remaining 50% of the participation fees is due 60 days prior to the event date.
• Failure to comply with this policy may result in Groupe Export cancelling the company’s participation.

In case of cancellation by the company:

• If the company or Groupe Export finds a replacement, the company will be reimbursed 100% minus an administration fee of $200, once the replacement has paid the required amount.
• If no replacement is found, the company must assume the full amount it committed to by contract.
• All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing to the person responsible for the trade show, whose name appears on the participation form.

This policy was approved by the Board of Directors of Groupe Export Agri-Food on February 14, 2008.

Eligibility for Exhibitors

To qualify as an exhibitor or visitor, the company must:

• Meet all provincial subsidy eligibility criteria applicable to this activity;
• Hold a licence number from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) or demonstrate that such a licence is not required for their type of business.

Groupe Export reserves the right to refuse any registration for this activity.