As global food security faces mounting pressure, Canadian agriculture holds an underutilized advantage: food as a strategic asset. In a shifting trade and economic landscape, understanding and leveraging this asset could shape Canada’s future role in global markets—particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
In this one-on-one interview, Lyndsey Smith speaks with Ted Bilyea, distinguished fellow with the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute (CAPI), about his new report, Food: The Undervalued Asset in Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. Drawing on decades of experience in global food trade, Bilyea emphasizes that while Canadian farmers export well in excess of domestic production, the data points to an emerging scarcity: “All the food gets sold. All the food gets eaten. It’s just a question of who gets a better price for it.”
Bilyea says that fewer than a handful of countries control the bulk of net food exports globally, positioning Canada uniquely—if it plays its cards right. He stresses the importance of reframing food not just as a commodity, but as a source of economic strength and diplomatic “soft power,” particularly in food-import-dependent regions such as Japan. “We need to work harder at developing more of our own value-added products and secure strategic relationships, rather than viewing trade solely through an economic lens,” he says.
Looking ahead, Bilyea calls for investment in biosecurity, advanced genetics, and logistics to maintain Canada’s export edge, particularly in animal agriculture where disease risk threatens market access. “Our strength is our brains—let’s use them,” he adds, highlighting Canada’s research capacity in addressing emerging challenges.
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