Ontario. Indonesia’s Ambassador to Canada, Muhsin Syihab, inaugurated a new office and warehouse of Exotique Foods Inc. in Mississauga, Ontario, on March 3, 2026, marking an expansion of distribution networks for Indonesian SME products in Canada.

The inauguration reflects growing collaboration between the Indonesian Embassy in Ottawa, the Indonesian diaspora, and Canadian business partners to expand market access for Indonesian products.

Speaking at the event, Muhsin said economic diplomacy should deliver concrete outcomes for Indonesian businesses. He noted that successful market penetration depends not only on promotion but also on consistent distribution networks, product quality, and reliable supply.

Distribution of Indonesian products through Exotique Foods has expanded significantly over the past two years. In 2024, the company distributed Indonesian products to more than 60 stores in Ontario. By 2026, the network had grown to more than 380 stores across Canada, representing an increase of roughly 600%.

Founder and CEO of Exotique Foods, David Gunawan, said the expansion was driven by stronger partnerships with Indonesian producers and facilitation support from the Indonesian Embassy in Ottawa.

“At the early stage, the company’s products were available in about 60 stores, but improvements in supply chains, adjustments to Canadian standards, and networking support from the embassy helped expand distribution to more than 380 stores nationwide,” David said. The collaboration has also helped build confidence among major retailers to carry Indonesian SME products.

Founded in 2023 by members of the Indonesian diaspora, Exotique Foods partners with small and medium-sized enterprises in Indonesia to market value-added products such as tempe-based snacks, processed tropical fruits, healthy chips, and ginger candy.

The company plans to expand its portfolio to include ready-to-eat tempe, Cilembu sweet potatoes, palm sugar, and coconut-based products.

These products have already entered several Canadian retail chains, including Bulk Barn and Longo’s. To enter such mainstream retail networks, Indonesian producers must meet Canadian market requirements, including food safety standards, bilingual labeling, ingredient composition rules, and consistent quality and supply.

Indonesia’s export performance to Canada has also shown positive momentum. Exports of processed food and beverages (HS 16–22) increased from $56.4 million in 2023 to $116.7 million in 2025, representing growth of 106.8%.

Mahdewi Silky, trade attaché at the Indonesian Embassy in Ottawa, said the increase reflects stronger competitiveness of Indonesian products in the Canadian market.

The 106.8% growth in exports over the past three years shows Indonesia’s products are gaining a stronger foothold in Canada, she said, adding that the momentum is particularly important ahead of the expected implementation of the Indonesia–Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (ICA-CEPA), targeted to take effect by the end of 2026.

Looking ahead, the Indonesian government through the embassy in Ottawa and the Trade Ministry plans to further promote Indonesian processed food and beverage products in Canada. One key initiative will be Indonesia’s participation in the SIAL Canada international trade fair in Montréal from April 29 to May 1, 2026.

During the same visit to Mississauga, Muhsin also toured Petra International, another company owned by the Indonesian diaspora. The firm was founded by Ham Go in 1997 and supplies cake decorations in the form of gumpaste flowers imported directly from Indonesia.

Based in Mississauga, Petra International is known as one of the world’s largest suppliers of gumpaste flower decorations and is considered the only specialist in the product category in the Toronto area.

The expansion of Exotique Foods, from distributing Indonesian SME products in more than 60 stores in 2024 to over 380 stores in 2026, along with Petra International’s nearly three decades of operations in Canada, highlights how diaspora-led initiatives, supported by the Indonesian government and Canadian business partnerships, are helping strengthen the presence and reputation of Indonesian products in the Canadian market.