The Quebec Delegation in Miami and 13 Quebec companies attended the 2026 Americas Food & Beverage Show & Conference, which took place September 14–16 at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami Beach. More than 120 countries were represented at this international trade show and conference, with over 1,000 exhibitors, including five Quebec companies that showcased their products at booths in the Canada section: Aliments ATG (Drummond Export)—meat and fish; Turkey Hill Sugarbush – maple products; Oriental Pastry Products – products for filo pastries; Rito Mints – mint candies; and Groupe OMC – premium ready-to-eat solutions.
The eight other participating Quebec companies were: Miel Labonté Inc. – honey and maple products; Concept Chocolat – custom chocolate; Zinda Products – couscous; Yumi Organics – oat-based health products; Andalos Bakery – Lebanese baked goods; Boulangerie-Pâtisserie Dumas Inc. – oven-baked and frozen pastries; Les Aliments 2000 – pasta manufacturer; and Fumoir Grizzly – smoked fish, tartares, and prepared dishes.
Conference
On Wednesday, September 16, the delegation and three panelists from Quebec presented “Growing Together – Building Strategic Supplier-Buyer Relationships Across the Border,” Discover What Quebec Brings to the Table. Le Soleil de la Floride was on site to attend the conference, which brought together agri-food sector experts and successful exporters to discuss cross-border trade opportunities, innovation, and partnerships between suppliers and buyers. The presentation aimed to highlight why Quebec is a trusted strategic partner in sourcing for U.S. companies—especially since it is Canada’s leading agri-food production hub—and to encourage other international companies, such as those from Latin America, to do business with Quebec companies.
Catherine Cano, Quebec’s delegate in Miami, delivered an introductory remarks, noting that this marks the seventh year that Quebec companies have participated in this trade show, and highlighting just how innovative they are and how delicious their products are. She stated: “Not only the production presented here is extraordinary, but it is high quality, and we are also a reliable partner. We are friends, but we are really a business partner, not only to the U.S., but to Latin America.” Ms. Cano added two messages she wished to convey: “To our U.S. friends – Our trade relationship is very important for both, and we want to continue and grow that business, and we are totally sure that it will continue to grow.” After saying a few words in Spanish to warmly invite South American countries to engage in international trade with Quebec companies, she continued with her second message: “To our friends in Latin America—Not only we are nice people, but we are also very good at what we do.”
The presentation was moderated by Mory Keita, trade attaché for the Quebec Delegation in Atlanta. Questions for the panelists focused on why to choose Quebec as a supplier, and why international buyers and distributors should take an interest in Quebec’s agri-food sector; what international buyers are looking for beyond the speed of getting products to market, and how Quebec agri-food companies are adapting to new trends that will influence buyers’ purchasing decisions in 2026. Another topic discussed was how to build lasting relationships between Quebec and buyers and distributors, based on the panelists’ experience in the U.S. market or other markets, in relation to their companies’ success.
Kaite Vinet, Market Development Advisor – US – for the Quebec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food, stated that buyers choose Quebec agri-food companies because they are highly reliable, care about buyers, are consistent, offer quality, and deliver on their promises: “As a result, buyers can feel truly confident when doing business with Quebec companies, because they’ll always be there for them, and the quality of the products is consistently high. That really makes a difference.”
Connie Kirchberger, Director of Business Development at Turkey Hill Sugarbush Ltd. in Granby, Quebec, points out that in addition to the trust and reliability Quebec companies offer, they are also committed to sustainability and are attentive to—and adapt quickly to—market needs.
For Sonia Guerra, Senior International Sales Representative at Drummond Export, it is in the area of safety that Quebec stands out, with safe products that comply with the strict regulations of Canadian agencies governing agri-food products.
On this point, Mr. Keita added: “Our food products are made with the highest standard. The quality is great—it’s unmatched. So, if you’re a buyer looking for something that will truly meet your customers’ needs, look more for Quebec.”
The moderator concluded the discussion by thanking the panelists and assuring suppliers, distributors, retailers, and entrepreneurs that Quebec and all of Canada are open for business.
Mory Keita, Sonia Guerra, Connie Kirchberger, Kaite Vinet, Catherine Cano.
Sonia Guerra, Connie Kirchberger, Kaite Vinet, Mory Keita.
Catherine Cano, Mory Keita, Kaite Vinet.
Article translated by DeepL.
