Staying Competitive in Uncertain Times: Productivity as a Competitive Advantage

How Can You Remain Competitive Internationally in an Uncertain Environment?

In a context marked by trade tensions, tariffs, inflation and increasing cost pressures, agri-food companies must continually find new ways to remain competitive in international markets.

For exporting companies, productivity is now much more than an operational concern: it is a strategic lever for protecting margins, increasing execution capacity and supporting international growth.

In collaboration with KPMG, Groupe Export invites you to an executive workshop bringing together agri-food industry leaders to engage in practical discussions on best practices in productivity, operational excellence and business transformation.

Through leadership testimonials and peer-to-peer discussions, this event will explore practical solutions to improve performance and strengthen the competitiveness of Québec companies in international markets.

DATE: October 8, 2026

LOCATION: KPMG (3400 de l’Éclipse Rd., Suite 510, Brossard, QC J4Z 0P5, Canada)

TARGET AUDIENCE: Agri-food companies

PREREQUISITES: None

FEE: Free

SPEAKERS: KPMG experts and leaders from exporting agri-food companies

Discover:

• How to improve productivity to remain competitive in international markets;
• How to protect margins despite tariffs and inflation;
• Which investments can truly support export growth;
• Where to prioritize investments in artificial intelligence, automation and operational excellence;
• How to increase the organization’s execution capacity;
• How to engage teams in transformation initiatives;
• Real-world examples from companies that have strengthened their competitiveness through productivity initiatives.

5 Trends That Will Transform Agri-Food Exporters

KPMG will also provide an overview of the key trends that will impact the competitiveness of exporting companies:

• Cost pressures;
• Trade tensions;
• Artificial intelligence and automation;
• Supply chain resilience;
• Productivity as a driver of growth.

PROGRAM:

8:30 a.m. – Welcome and breakfast

9:00 a.m. – Welcome remarks

9:10–10:10 a.m. – Panel discussion*

10:10–10:30 a.m. – Q&A and networking

*Panel Discussion – Leaders Sharing Their Experience

Hear from agri-food industry leaders who have implemented concrete initiatives to improve productivity, optimize operations and strengthen their competitiveness in international markets. Through a peer-to-peer discussion, explore the challenges they faced, the solutions they implemented and the key lessons learned.

Speakers

• Violaine Paquette, Partner – KPMG Canada

As a Partner at KPMG Canada, she brings over 20 years of experience in strategy and organizational transformation. She supports organizations in addressing growth, performance, and transformation challenges, particularly in AI governance and the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence.

• Aurélia Le Tareau, Executive Director – KPMG Canada

An Executive Director at KPMG Canada, she has worked in strategy since 2007. She supports organizations in addressing growth, competitiveness, and productivity challenges, particularly through organizational transformation and the integration of artificial intelligence.

Panelists

• Karine Pomerleau, President – Trans-Herb International
• Ayman Saifi, Founder and President – A Spice Affair