SAINTE-JULIE, QC, April 2, 2026 /CNW/ - Returning to Montreal, the Alizés Awards, presented by Farm Credit Canada (FCC), will recognize ten Canadian food processing companies that stand out in domestic and international markets. Selected for their success across Canada and abroad, the award-winning organizations will be announced on April 29, 2026, during the Alizés Evening, an initiative of Groupe Export Agri-Food, held alongside SIAL Canada trade show.
"This year, to offer a truly Montreal experience, the Alizés Evening will take place at the Belvédère Hall in the Old Port of Montreal, less than ten minutes from the Palais des Congrès. With its expansive glass-walled venue and fully equipped terrace offering 360° views of the city and the St. Lawrence River, the setting promises a memorable evening worthy of our finalists," said Martin Lavoie, President and CEO of Groupe Export Agri-Food.
According to the jury, this year's Alizés Awards finalists distinguished themselves through their success across various markets, as well as the originality of their promotional strategies.
Alizés Awards Finalists
- A Spice Affair
- Rito Mints
- Yourbarfactory
- Bassé Nuts
- Lantic Maple
- O'Sole Mio
- MITO Group
- Les Fromages Latino
- NOA – Monsieur Cocktail
Innovative Export Strategy Inno-centre
- A Spice Affair
- Rustica Foods
- NOA – Monsieur Cocktail
"The applications received this year once again highlight the strength and diversity of Canada's agri-food sector. Many companies stand out for their ambitious export strategies and exceptional expertise--sometimes developed behind the scenes, particularly through private label production. It is a great source of pride to see these companies shine on the international stage," said Louis Turcotte, Chair of the Alizés Awards jury and National Vice-President, Corporate Financing and Large Accounts at FCC.
This year, the jury also introduced a new evaluation criterion. "We placed particular emphasis on companies' ability to manage risks. In an economic environment marked by uncertainty, the jury assigned significant importance to this aspect, in addition to the usual criteria such as export strategy and sales growth," added Éric Waterman, Vice-President, Agri-Food at Inno-centre.
Five other members of the agri-food industry also participated in the jury deliberations: Benoit Tétrault, Director, Private Equity and Impact Investing, Agri-food, Consumer Goods and Health at Fonds de solidarité FTQ, Annie Lévesque, Senior Relationship Manager, at Export Development Canada, Michel Sirois, Vice-President of Agri-Food at National Bank of Canada, Pascale Daigneault, Senior Industry Development Officer, Departmental Regional Office (Quebec and Nunavut) at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Martin Lemire, Vice-President at Edikom.
The Group Export Agri-Food would like to thank FCC, presenter of the Alizés Awards, the ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAC), Inno-centre, Fonds de solidarité FTQ, National Bank, Export Development Canada (EDC), America's Food and Beverage Show, L'actualité ALIMENTAIRE, Agro Québec, Food in Canada, GCIA événements, and SIAL Canada for their support in the success of the Alizés Awards and the Alizés Evening.
Group Export invites all the Canadian agri-food industry members to participate at this event.
- April 29th, 2026
- Belvédère Hall – Old Port of Montréal
- Online Ticketing: lesprixalizesawards.ca
About the Group Export Agri-Food
With over 450 members, the Group Export Agri-Food offers a variety of services to support Quebec-based agri-food export companies and facilitate their access to Canadian and international markets. The initiator of the Alizés Awards and the Agri-Food Export Summit, as well as one of the shareholders of SIAL Canada, the association is a key player in the industry.
SOURCE Group Export Agri-Food
Source and Information: Anne Vaillancourt, Communications Director, Group Export Agri-Food Quebec-Canada, 450 649-6266, ext. 217 | [email protected]
Share this article