SIAL Canada 2026: A 23rd edition set to be vibrant and inspiring
SIAL Canada, the largest trade show dedicated to the agri-food industry in North America, taking place from April 29 to May 1, 2026 at the Palais des congrès de Montréal, is preparing its visitors by unveiling its rich programming, highlighted by a variety of meaningful key moments. This year, the show expects more than 800 exhibitors and 20,000 professionals from all Canadian provinces and from around the world.
“This edition will be even bigger than the one in 2024 or in Toronto in 2025. Expectations are very high because SIAL Canada remains an essential meeting place for buyers, who find privileged access to innovations, trends, and products that allow them to differentiate themselves and meet their customers’ expectations,” explains Stéphane Thuillier, General Manager of SIAL Canada.
A schedule adorned with key activities
DAY 1 – APRIL 29
The 2026 edition of SIAL Canada will open with a series of flagship moments, starting at 10:00 a.m. with the Canadian Best Cheesemonger Competition. This will be followed by the SIAL Innovation Awards ceremony, then the official opening ceremony of the show. Throughout the day, four thematic forums will shape the program, offering an overview of economic and regulatory outlooks, consumer insights, foodservice, and responsible growth.
DAY 2 – APRIL 30
The following day, the momentum continues with the Start-up Pitch Competition, kicking off at 9:30 a.m. and followed by an awards ceremony at 12:30 p.m. In parallel, Dairy Discovery workshops will offer educational activities focused on tasting and product pairings. As on the previous day, four thematic forums will structure the program, this time centered on global trade opportunities, food system resilience, retail transformation, and health. The day will conclude with the International Networking Cocktail presented by Lantic Maple, an exclusive invitation-only reception held on the rooftop of the Palais des congrès.
DAY 3 – MAY 1
Finally, to close the show, a series of Dairy Talks will highlight current trends and issues in the sector, while simultaneously two forums dedicated to brand strategy and packaging will take place.
To view the full program: https://sialcanada.com/en/program-2026/
An experience tailored to visitors
The show will highlight a Buyers Program designed to foster strategic business meetings between SIAL Canada exhibitors and high-level buyers from the agri-food industry in Canada, the United States, and internationally. Based on targeted matchmaking aligned with each participant’s interests, this program enables the organization of effective meetings before and during the event.
Once again this year, the SIAL Expert Hub will allow participants to meet 12 leading specialists from the Canadian agri-food sector, in an interactive format where visitors can ask questions and receive tailored advice as well as concrete answers to the industry’s challenges.
The official mobile app, powered by Farm Credit Canada (FCC), the show’s connectivity partner, will offer all participants a truly immersive experience. It will provide access to an interactive site map, the full list of exhibitors, a comprehensive product catalogue, and the complete program.
About SIAL Canada
SIAL Canada is an integral part of the SIAL network, the world’s leading network of trade shows dedicated to the food industry, welcoming thousands of companies across 12 events and bringing together a dynamic community of more than 700,000 local and international visitors.
Created in 2001, SIAL Canada is the result of the work of three major shareholders: ADAQ (Association des détaillants en alimentation du Québec), the Groupe Export agroalimentaire Québec-Canada, and Comexposium. The show is supported by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), the Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ), and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA).
