Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Fresh Red Globe (table) grapes in Canada are sold primarily as an imported fresh fruit item, with domestic table-grape production representing a small share of overall supply. A 2026 assessment prepared for the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Food characterizes Canada as highly import-dependent for table grapes (over 97% imported) and describes near year-round availability supported by staggered supply from the United States, Mexico, Peru, Chile and South Africa. UN Comtrade data (via WITS) shows Canada imported about US$551.7 million of fresh grapes (HS 080610) in 2023, led by the United States and Peru. Market access hinges on meeting CFIA food and plant-health import conditions under the Safe Food for Canadians framework, including importer licensing/DRC membership requirements, labeling/grade rules, and compliance with Canadian pesticide maximum residue limits.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer market with limited domestic table-grape production
Domestic RoleShort domestic season with limited fresh table-grape volumes (notably Ontario and British Columbia); domestic product mainly competes during late-summer/early-fall windows while imports cover most year-round demand.
SeasonalityYear-round availability is primarily import-driven; domestic Canadian fresh-grape availability is concentrated in late summer to early fall (August–October), with British Columbia supply commonly cited from late August to mid-October.
Specification
Primary VarietyRed Globe
Physical Attributes- For Canada No. 1 grade (domestic grading standard), bunches should be free from crushed, split or shattered berries and be free from disease, mould and mildew.
- For Canada No. 1 grade, lots should be of one variety with good colour and good size (as defined in the Canadian Grade Compendium).
- All grades require grapes to be properly packaged, sound, and free from insects and insect larvae.
Grades- Canada No. 1 (domestic grade name)
- Canada Domestic (domestic grade name)
- No. 1 Grade (import grade name for imported product meeting Canadian grade requirements)
- Domestic Grade (import grade name for imported product meeting Canadian grade requirements)
Packaging- Imported prepackaged fresh grapes must show the country of origin on the principal display panel in close proximity to net quantity or the grade name (SFCR labeling rule as summarized by CFIA).
- Where a Canadian grade standard applies and is used for imported grapes, the import grade name (for example, No. 1 Grade or Domestic Grade) is used rather than the Canadian grade name on imported product labeling.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Vineyard harvest → packing/sorting & quality grading → pre-cooling → refrigerated transport (truck and/or reefer container) → Canadian importer/wholesaler distribution → retail
Temperature- Cold storage guidance cited for BC fresh grapes: 0°–2°C (with potential storage up to ~5 weeks from harvest under recommended conditions).
Shelf Life- BC industry guidance cites storage up to ~5 weeks from harvest when stored at 0°–2°C.
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Phytosanitary HighFresh grape shipments can be refused entry, ordered treated, or otherwise disrupted if CFIA plant-health import conditions are not met (for example, missing/incorrect phytosanitary certification where required, or detection of regulated pests for certain origins under CFIA directives such as D-95-08).Validate origin-specific requirements in CFIA AIRS and directive D-95-08 prior to shipping; ensure NPPO-issued phytosanitary certification and any required treatments/systems-approach attestations are complete and match consignment details.
Food Safety MediumPesticide residue non-compliance can trigger increased inspection, detention, or enforcement action; CFIA notes it monitors fresh fruit and vegetables for residues and Health Canada maintains the maximum residue limits (MRLs) database used for compliance assessment.Align spray programs and pre-harvest intervals with Canadian MRLs for grapes; implement pre-export residue testing and maintain documentation for trace-back.
Logistics MediumQuality and shrink risk is sensitive to cold-chain breaks and transit delays; BC industry guidance for fresh grapes highlights near-freezing storage temperatures (0°–2°C) and limited storage window, making temperature excursions a major commercial risk for imported table grapes.Use validated reefer setpoints and continuous temperature logging end-to-end; build schedule buffers around port/terminal congestion and ensure rapid cross-dock into refrigerated distribution on arrival.
Regulatory Compliance MediumLabel/grade non-compliance can lead to border holds, relabeling costs, or enforcement action; CFIA requires country-of-origin labeling for imported prepackaged fresh produce and applies specific import grade-name rules (for example, using 'No. 1 Grade' rather than Canadian grade names for imported product meeting Canadian grade requirements).Run a pre-shipment label and grade-name QA check against CFIA labeling guidance and the Canadian Grade Compendium (Volumes 2 and 9) before dispatch.
FAQ
Is Canada mainly an importer or producer of fresh table grapes like Red Globe?Canada is primarily an import-dependent consumer market for table grapes. A 2026 assessment prepared for the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Food describes Canada as highly import-dependent (over 97% imported), with domestic production representing a small share of overall supply.
Which countries supply most of Canada’s fresh grape imports?UN Comtrade trade data (via WITS) for HS 080610 shows that in 2023 Canada’s largest fresh-grape import sources by value were the United States and Peru, followed by Mexico, Chile and South Africa.
What are the key Canadian compliance items for importing fresh grapes?CFIA states importers of fresh fruits and vegetables must meet Safe Food for Canadians Regulations requirements (including holding an import licence and DRC membership unless exempt). CFIA also notes that some imports may require plant-health documents such as a phytosanitary certificate or an import permit depending on origin and conditions, and imported prepackaged produce must meet country-of-origin labeling and applicable grade-name rules.
Are sulphites allowed on fresh grapes sold in Canada?CFIA notes that imported fresh fruit or vegetables intended to be consumed raw and treated with sulphites are generally not permitted for sale in Canada, and that grapes are the exception.