Fruits & Vegetables Production

• Blueberries
• Potatoes (fresh and processed)
• Greenhouse tomatoes and peppers
• Apples
• Mushrooms
• Frozen vegetables

1. 1

   Expand greenhouse production capacity and controlled-environment agriculture

2. 2

   Develop cold-climate fruit and vegetable varietals suited to Canadian conditions

3. 3

   Invest in post-harvest storage and processing to extend seasonal availability

4. 4

   Diversify import sources beyond US and Mexico for food security resilience

5. 5

   Pursue organic and premium certification for export market differentiation

CUSMA maintains duty-free treatment for most fresh and processed fruits and vegetables. However, seasonal tariff provisions and anti-dumping investigations on specific commodities (notably greenhouse tomatoes) create periodic market access disruptions. SPS standards and pesticide maximum residue limit (MRL) divergence between Canada and the US complicate cross-border trade in fresh produce.

Canada imports over 80% of its fresh fruit and approximately 50% of its vegetables, predominantly from the US and Mexico. Any trade disruption during winter months would create immediate food security concerns. Canadian greenhouse production in Ontario and BC is growing but cannot replace continental supply chain volumes.

Canadian greenhouse production, particularly in Leamington, Ontario, competes directly with Mexican and US greenhouse operations. Blueberry production in BC and potato processing in PEI and New Brunswick hold strong export positions. Climate change is extending growing seasons in some regions while introducing new pest and disease pressures.