Market
Canada is an import-dependent consumer market for fresh table grapes, with year-round retail availability supported by counter-seasonal imports. UN Comtrade data (via the World Bank WITS interface) reports Canada imported HS 080610 (fresh grapes) valued at about USD 578 million in 2024, led by supply from the United States, Peru, Chile, Mexico and South Africa. Domestic table grape production exists in British Columbia (notably the Thompson–Okanagan) and Ontario (notably Niagara), but local availability is seasonal and small relative to import volumes. Importers must comply with Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) requirements (including a CFIA food import licence and produce-trade obligations such as DRC membership), while plant health admissibility and documentation can vary by origin and intended end-use as shown in CFIA’s AIRS and trial-import notices. Cold-chain discipline around 0°C and high relative humidity is important to protect quality and reduce decay during long-distance distribution.
Market RoleNet importer (import-dependent consumer market)
Domestic RoleDomestic consumption market with limited seasonal domestic production in Ontario and British Columbia; imports supply most year-round demand
Market GrowthGrowing (recent annual trend (2023–2024))moderate increase in import value from 2023 to 2024
SeasonalityYear-round retail availability is supported by imports from multiple origins, while domestic Canadian table grapes are primarily a late-summer to early-fall product.
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighImport admissibility and documentation can vary by origin and end-use under CFIA plant and food frameworks; missing a required phytosanitary document and/or CFIA Permit to Import (including trial-import scenarios) can trigger shipment delay, refusal, or enforcement action at the border.Run an origin- and end-use-specific check in CFIA AIRS before contracting the shipment; confirm any trial-import status and secure any required CFIA Permit to Import prior to departure, then align broker filing and document pack to AIRS conditions.
Logistics MediumCold-chain breaks or transit delays (reefer availability, congestion, winter transport disruption) can accelerate dehydration and decay in table grapes, increasing claims and shrink for importers and retailers.Specify temperature/RH targets in contracts, verify pre-cooling and reefer set-points, and use arrival-quality inspection protocols to manage claims and prioritize high-risk lots.
Food Safety MediumNon-compliance with Health Canada maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticide residues can lead to detention, recall, or importer corrective actions; CFIA conducts residue monitoring on imported fresh fruits and vegetables.Require supplier pesticide-use records and residue testing aligned to Canadian MRLs for grapes; use Health Canada’s MRL database to verify tolerances for relevant actives.
Labor Social MediumSocial compliance risk may arise in domestic seasonal supply chains (harvest, packing) that rely on temporary foreign workers, where policy reviews have reported worker concerns related to housing and working conditions in parts of primary agriculture.Use third-party social audits and worker-grievance channels for domestic suppliers/packers; verify employer compliance posture where temporary foreign labour is used.
Labor & Social- Seasonal horticulture supply chains can involve temporary foreign agricultural workers; Canadian policy consultations have documented concerns raised by workers regarding housing, working conditions, and safe mechanisms to report issues within primary agriculture labour streams.
Standards- CanadaGAP (HACCP-based food safety program for fresh fruits and vegetables)
FAQ
What are common compliance items for importing fresh table grapes into Canada?Importers typically need to follow SFCR requirements (including obtaining a CFIA food import licence) and, for fresh fruits and vegetables, hold DRC membership unless an exception applies. Plant health documentation can be origin- and end-use-specific, so importers are directed to CFIA’s AIRS to confirm whether a phytosanitary certificate or an import permit is required for the shipment.
Which countries are the largest suppliers of fresh grape imports into Canada?UN Comtrade data (via the World Bank WITS interface) shows that in 2024 Canada’s largest fresh grape suppliers by import value included the United States, Peru, Chile, Mexico and South Africa.
What cold-chain conditions are commonly recommended for maintaining table grape quality during distribution?Postharvest guidance commonly recommends keeping table grapes near -1 to 0°C with high relative humidity (around 90–95%) to reduce dehydration and quality loss. Temperature management is emphasized because decay susceptibility and market life are strongly affected by cold-chain performance.