Oregon and Washington
Food + Wine Expedition

The expansion of Oregon’s export business is important to raising awareness of the state’s growing reputation as a region producing exceptional and delicious food and beverage products while increasing our market opportunities.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) develops and supports programs that assist producers and businesses in gaining access to key markets around the world. Broad market trade shows, buyer meetings, industry specific tastings, market briefings, and retail tours provide the foundation of our trade mission efforts.

Over a week in early June 2022, fifteen food and beverage companies from the Pacific Northwest flew to Toronto, Canada to begin a two-stop WUSATA trade mission led by Erick Garman with the Oregon Department of Agriculture and Elisa Daun with the Washington Department of Agriculture in collaboration with the NW Wine Coalition. Businesses ranged from established to those looking to expand, and included fresh fruit and nut products, beverage mixers, hot sauces, snack foods, pickled products, and spices, sauces, and spreads. Thirty-five wineries from Oregon and Washington also participated in the trade show.

Tours to local retail stores in Toronto kicked off the trade mission, allowing business owners to look at market shelves, learn about their competition, and meet store owners who may be interested in carrying their products.

A market briefing with representatives from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service in Toronto explored the similarities and differences between the U.S. and Canadian markets.

Canada is the third largest agricultural export market for the U.S. thanks to the reputation of American products and the unparalleled cooperation between the U.S. and Canada to ensure ongoing trade. Canadians are both price- and value-conscious shoppers who appreciate a sophisticated selection of products. With the rise of the ethical shopper, customers also expect integrity, compassion, and transparency from the products they buy.

Businesses from the U.S. that are introducing products into Canada generally have the benefit of being trusted because our reputation for food safety standards, quality, and packaging is very positive. However, an overview by USDA of Canadian food labeling requirements, including the need for bilingual labeling, helped businesses understand the preparations they need to make to legally sell their products to our neighbors to the north.

Day two of the trade mission began with brief presentations to potential buyers before the doors opened for the trade and media tasting. Company representatives gave a brief overview of their history and their business and invited buyers to taste their products at their table. Relationship-building is highly valuable in Canada and businesses and their representatives were working hard to make new connections.

The beauty of the Food + Wine Expedition series was the opportunity to showcase both food and wine from the Pacific Northwest. Introducing Canadians to how easily food and wine that is grown together, goes together, was a new endeavor being accomplished through these events.

Nearly 350 people in trade, media, or as consumers joined the Oregon and Washington Food + Wine Expedition in Toronto. Attendees had the opportunity to try a huge variety of wine from 35 different wineries from the Pacific Northwest as well as taste delicious bites made with products from the show.