Plant Forward in Saskatoon

Plant Forward on the Prairies: the stage for plant proteins

From 21 to 23 September 2026, “Plant Forward on the Prairies” will take place for the first time in Saskatoon. A well-known annual conference of Protein Industries Canada, Pulse Canada and Plant-Based Foods of Canada. With participants from the Netherlands and abroad, the event brings together companies, investors, researchers and policy makers around the Canadian plant-based protein transition. That this time it is in Saskatoon (Saskatchewan), the heart of the Canadian prairies, is no coincidence: here crop diversity, processing capacity and research come together into one strong ecosystem.

Why this is relevant to the Netherlands

For the Dutch agri-food sector, it is important to stay informed of these developments. Canada is investing heavily in the shift from bulk producer to supplier of high-quality protein ingredients. This offers interesting opportunities for Dutch knowledge and technology in the field of processing, fractionation and product development. The visit to Plant Forward is therefore aimed at retrieving the latest state of affairs and identifying concrete starting points for cooperation to increase the Dutch self-sufficiency of new and plant-based proteins.

University of Saskatchewan and Global Institute for Food Security

Prior to the conference, a visit will be made to the University of Saskatchewan and the Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS), two players who are at the root of Canadian protein research: from crop breeding to applied food technology. These visits will provide insight into the research infrastructure that fuels the Canadian protein sector and provide possible starting points to connect Dutch companies and knowledge institutions with their Canadian counterparts.

An invitation to Dutch companies

For more information about Plant Forward see:
Plant Forward on the Prairies | September 21-23, 2026 | Saskatoon

Are you active as a Dutch company or knowledge institution in the field of plant protein and are you also going to Plant Forward, or do you want to get in touch with the Canadian protein innovation ecosystem? Please contact the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature via VAN-LVVN@minbuza.nl