Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormGround (dry, shelf-stable)
Industry PositionRoasted Coffee Consumer Product
Market
Decaffeinated ground coffee in Canada is a processed retail and foodservice product supplied through imported coffee and domestic roasting/grinding/packaging, alongside imports of roasted decaffeinated coffee (HS 0901.22). Canada has local green-coffee decaffeination capacity (for example, Swiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee Inc. in Delta, British Columbia), and multiple Canadian-market brands sell Swiss Water–decaffeinated ground coffee. For imports, CFIA’s Safe Food for Canadians framework generally requires a valid Safe Food for Canadians licence for the importing activity (and correct commodity declarations), and consumer prepackaged labels typically require mandatory information in English and French. Under Canada’s Customs Tariff, roasted decaffeinated coffee under HS 0901.22.00.00 is listed with an MFN rate of “Free,” supporting broad market availability.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer market with significant domestic roasting/grinding/packaging; importer of roasted decaffeinated coffee and net importer of coffee inputs.
Domestic RoleMainstream packaged coffee category in grocery and at-home brewing, with decaf positioned for caffeine-sensitive consumers and off-peak consumption occasions.
Risks
Climate HighCanada cannot grow coffee commercially; decaffeinated ground coffee supply and pricing depend on imported coffee and global processing capacity. Climate variability and disease pressure (including coffee leaf rust risk in origin regions) can constrain supply, degrade quality, and drive sudden cost increases for Canadian importers and roasters—especially for decaffeinated inputs where specialized processing capacity is more limited than conventional green coffee trade.Diversify origin sourcing and decaffeination pathways (multiple approved suppliers/methods), use forward contracts where feasible, and maintain safety stock for core decaf SKUs during high-risk crop periods.
Regulatory Compliance MediumCFIA indicates that to import most foods into Canada an SFC licence is required and the licence number must be correctly declared on the import declaration; errors can trigger automated rejection and shipment denial until corrected.Confirm SFC licence scope (activity and commodity/sub-commodity) and validate IID data elements with the broker before shipment; maintain an importer compliance checklist tied to product and label versions.
Labor And Human Rights MediumCoffee appears on ILAB’s List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor for multiple origin countries, creating reputational and customer-audit risk for Canadian decaf ground coffee supply chains when origin due diligence and traceability are insufficient.Implement origin-level supplier due diligence (risk screening, audits where appropriate), require credible sustainability/labor assurance where relevant, and maintain traceability documentation to farm/coop/exporter as available.
Food Safety LowStorage-related mould risks (for example, mycotoxins such as ochratoxin A) can lead to quality claims, customer rejections, or enforcement actions if poor moisture control occurs in the supply chain; Health Canada’s updated assessment characterizes dietary exposure as low concern but continues monitoring and surveillance.Enforce moisture control and warehouse hygiene, use supplier COAs/specs where appropriate, and apply inventory rotation to limit prolonged storage of green and roasted coffee.
Logistics MediumMultimodal import logistics (ocean freight to Canada and inland distribution) are exposed to freight-rate volatility, port congestion, and cross-border trucking delays, which can disrupt on-shelf availability for decaf ground coffee and raise landed costs.Qualify multiple routings/ports, build lead-time buffers for core SKUs, and leverage domestic roasting/packaging where possible to reduce dependence on shipping finished ground coffee.
Sustainability- Deforestation and land conversion risk in some coffee origin regions supplying the Canadian market
- Water-intensive coffee processing and wastewater management impacts in origin countries
- Climate-change exposure (heat, drought, extreme rainfall) affecting coffee yields and quality in origin countries
Labor & Social- Documented child labor and forced labor risks in coffee production in specific origin countries; Canadian buyers face reputational and procurement risk if due diligence is weak
- Migrant and informal labor vulnerability in agricultural origin regions
FAQ
Do importers need a CFIA Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) licence to bring decaffeinated ground coffee into Canada?CFIA states that to import most foods into Canada, the Safe Food for Canadians framework requires the importer to hold a valid SFC licence for the activity “Importing Food” and for the relevant commodities, and the licence number must be declared correctly on the import declaration to avoid rejection or denial of entry.
What is the Canadian MFN tariff rate for roasted decaffeinated coffee (HS 0901.22.00.00)?In the CBSA Customs Tariff (T2026), HS 0901.22.00.00 (coffee, roasted, decaffeinated) is listed with an MFN tariff of “Free.”
What does “Swiss Water® Process” indicate for Canadian decaf ground coffee products?Swiss Water describes its process as a chemical-free decaffeination method and identifies its Canadian operation in Delta, British Columbia. Canadian-market brands such as Tim Hortons, Kicking Horse Coffee, and Nabob have retail decaf ground coffee SKUs that reference Swiss Water® Process decaffeination.
Are bilingual (English/French) labels required for consumer prepackaged decaf ground coffee in Canada?CFIA guidance indicates that mandatory information on consumer prepackaged food must be shown in both official languages (English and French), with defined exceptions depending on the product and selling context.