Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Fresh tomatoes in Canada are supplied by significant domestic greenhouse production—concentrated in Ontario, British Columbia and Québec—and by substantial imports, with Mexico and the United States the principal external suppliers (UN Comtrade). Statistics Canada’s 2024 greenhouse survey indicates tomatoes are a major greenhouse fruit/vegetable crop by cultivation area, underlining the importance of controlled-environment supply. Canada is a net importer for fresh tomatoes, but also exports meaningful volumes to the United States, largely linked to greenhouse production. Importers and domestic shippers must comply with CFIA requirements under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (licensing, preventive controls and traceability) and may face additional plant-protection requirements depending on origin and pathway. A key disruption risk is Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV), which can sharply reduce marketability and drive containment measures in greenhouse systems.
Market RoleNet importer with significant domestic greenhouse production and exports (notably to the United States)
Domestic RoleYear-round retail staple supported by controlled-environment greenhouse production alongside seasonal supply and imports
Market GrowthMixed (recent years to medium-term outlook)controlled-environment capacity expansion alongside persistent import dependence
SeasonalityGreenhouse production supports year-round availability; import reliance increases during periods of tighter domestic supply and for year-round program continuity.
Specification
Secondary Variety- Tomatoes-on-the-vine / cluster
- Beefsteak / slicer
- Roma / plum
- Cherry
- Grape
- Cocktail
- Heirloom / specialty varieties
Physical Attributes- Maturity/color stage and firmness targets are central to acceptance for retail and foodservice
- Freedom from decay and major defects is a core trade-quality expectation
- On-the-vine product requires intact truss/calyx and careful handling to reduce shatter and bruising
Grades- Under SFCR, grades may be mandatory for some commodities and voluntary for others; when a grade name is used it must meet the grade requirements, and imported produce without an established Canadian grade may use the country-of-origin grade designation if conditions are met
Packaging- Bulk cartons or reusable plastic containers (RPCs) for wholesale distribution
- Consumer clamshells for cherry/grape tomatoes
- Tray or top-seal packs commonly used for on-the-vine/cluster tomatoes in modern retail
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Domestic greenhouse: harvest → grading/sorting → packing → refrigerated trucking → distribution centres → retail/foodservice
- Imports (notably Mexico/U.S.): origin packing → refrigerated trucking → Canadian border clearance (CFIA/CBSA) → importer distribution → retail/foodservice
Temperature- Temperature management prioritizes quality preservation and minimizing chilling injury risk; stable handling conditions and avoiding extreme cold exposure are important during transport and distribution
- Border and cross-dock dwell time can be a critical weak point for quality loss if temperature control is not maintained
Atmosphere Control- Ventilation and ripening-gas (ethylene) exposure management can affect uniform ripening and shelf appearance during distribution
Shelf Life- Shelf life is highly sensitive to maturity at packout, handling damage (bruising) and temperature breaks during trucking and distribution
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeLand
Risks
Plant Health HighTomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) is a highly disruptive greenhouse tomato pathogen that can significantly reduce crop marketability and trigger stringent containment and biosecurity measures, disrupting supply programs in Canada; CFIA notes it is not a food safety risk but has major production and marketability impacts.Require documented greenhouse biosecurity protocols, prioritize tested seed/seedlings from trusted sources, enforce sanitation and controlled access, and establish an escalation plan for rapid testing/containment if symptoms are suspected.
Regulatory Compliance MediumFailure to meet SFCR requirements (for example, importer licensing and traceability obligations) can result in border delays or refusal of entry; CBSA has warned that shipments without required SFC licence information may be rejected and delayed.Maintain an active SFC licence where required, validate import transaction data prior to shipping, and implement SFCR-aligned traceability documentation and preventive controls for fresh produce handling.
Logistics MediumCanada’s year-round fresh tomato supply is sensitive to refrigerated trucking capacity, winter weather, and border congestion; delays and temperature breaks can rapidly degrade quality and increase shrink.Use qualified reefer carriers with continuous temperature monitoring, build buffer lead-time during winter lanes, and pre-clear documentation to reduce dwell time at border and distribution nodes.
Food Safety MediumPesticide residue non-compliance against Health Canada MRLs can trigger enforcement actions and program disruption; CFIA monitors fresh fruits and vegetables for residues.Implement supplier residue-control programs (GAP/HACCP-based), require residue test documentation where risk-based, and verify alignment with Health Canada MRLs for the Canada market.
Sustainability- Energy and emissions footprint management in heated/lit greenhouse tomato production systems
- Water stewardship via recirculation and nutrient/runoff management in soilless greenhouse systems
- Packaging waste reduction for high-velocity retail formats (clamshells, films, top-seal materials)
Labor & Social- Labour shortages and reliance on temporary foreign workers in Canadian agriculture/greenhouse-adjacent labour markets increase exposure to worker welfare, housing, and compliance risks
- Buyer audits and documented grievance/worker-protection mechanisms may be expected for large greenhouse supply programs
Standards- CanadaGAP (including a greenhouse-focused manual and certification options used by fresh produce suppliers)
FAQ
Do Canadian importers need a Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) licence to import fresh tomatoes?Commercial importers generally need an SFC licence to import fresh fruits or vegetables into Canada. CBSA guidance notes this requirement has been in effect since March 15, 2021, and that shipments without required licence information may face delays or refusal of entry; importers should verify tomato-specific requirements in CFIA’s Automated Import Reference System (AIRS).
Is Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) a food safety risk for consumers in Canada?CFIA states ToBRFV is not a food safety risk. The main issue is commercial and supply disruption: it can significantly reduce tomato crop production and the marketability of fruit, especially in greenhouse systems.
Can a phytosanitary certificate be required for imported fresh tomatoes entering Canada?Yes, depending on the commodity, origin and pathway, CFIA notes that some imported fresh fruits or vegetables can have additional plant-protection requirements where a phytosanitary certificate or an import permit may be required. Importers should confirm requirements for the specific tomato shipment in CFIA’s Automated Import Reference System (AIRS).