Market
Dried strawberry products sold in Canada are supplied through imported dried fruit and domestic processing/repacking, alongside substantial domestic fresh-strawberry production concentrated in Quebec and Ontario. Trade data for HS 081340 ("Other dried fruit, nes"), a category that can include dried strawberries depending on classification, indicates Canada is a net importer. Under Canada’s Customs Tariff Schedule (T2026), tariff item 0813.40.00 has an MFN rate of “Free,” but importers must still meet Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) licensing, preventive control and traceability requirements. Sulphites are a Canadian priority allergen and must be declared on labels when present under applicable rules; Health Canada also specifies permitted preservative use conditions for sulphites in dried fruits and vegetables.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer market (net importer in HS 081340 proxy category) with domestic fresh-strawberry production
Domestic RoleDomestic retail and food-manufacturing ingredient market; domestic fresh-strawberry production provides potential input for local drying, while imports supply a meaningful share of dried fruit availability
SeasonalityYear-round market availability for dried strawberry products; domestic fresh-strawberry output is seasonal and weather-sensitive, particularly in Quebec.
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighMislabeling or failure to declare priority allergens (including sulphites) or failure to meet bilingual mandatory labelling requirements can trigger CFIA enforcement actions, including recalls, and can severely disrupt commercial access to the Canadian market.Run a Canada-specific label compliance review (ingredients/allergen or “Contains” statement rules for sulphites, bilingual mandatory information) and retain supporting formulation/spec evidence before shipment and before retail listing.
Traceability MediumIf SFCR traceability requirements apply, inadequate one-step-back/one-step-forward documentation or inability to produce records to CFIA within required timelines can escalate compliance actions and complicate recalls.Implement lot-level traceability with two-year record retention and ensure records are accessible in Canada and exportable in common electronic formats.
Food Safety MediumImporter preventive controls must address hazards relevant to dried fruit products (for example, allergen control for sulphites where used, and supplier controls); gaps can lead to non-compliance, market complaints, and recalls.Maintain an importer preventive control plan (where required) with foreign supplier approval, verification testing as appropriate, and documented corrective actions.
Logistics MediumQuality degradation risk during transit and warehousing (moisture ingress, package seal failure, or heat exposure) can cause texture loss, clumping, or quality complaints even without cold chain requirements.Specify moisture/oxygen barrier packaging, desiccant use where appropriate, and humidity-controlled storage/transport with seal-integrity checks at receiving.
Labor Social MediumEntities importing goods produced outside Canada may face reporting obligations under S-211, increasing scrutiny of upstream labour practices and requiring documented due diligence for imported agricultural products depending on origin risk.Conduct supplier due diligence (risk mapping, contractual clauses, audits where risk-justified) and prepare S-211-aligned reporting processes if the entity meets applicability thresholds.
Labor & Social- Forced labour and child labour supply-chain due diligence: entities importing goods produced outside Canada may have annual reporting obligations under the Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act (S-211), increasing compliance and reputational risk exposure depending on source country and supplier practices.
FAQ
Do sulphites have to be declared on dried strawberry products sold in Canada?Yes. Health Canada lists sulphites as a priority allergen, and CFIA guidance requires added sulphites to be declared on labels under the applicable rules (including specific requirements around 10 ppm thresholds in certain cases).
Does a business need a federal food licence to import dried strawberry products into Canada?For most foods, yes. CFIA guidance states that importing most foods into Canada requires a Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) licence issued under the SFCR, and importers must ensure the licence is valid for the activity “Importing food” and for the commodities being imported.
What is the MFN tariff rate for dried fruit classified under tariff item 0813.40.00 in Canada?CBSA’s Customs Tariff Schedule (T2026) lists the MFN tariff for 0813.40.00 (“Fruit, dried… – Other fruit”) as “Free,” but the importer must confirm the correct classification for the specific dried strawberry product presentation.