Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Fresh strawberry in Canada is a strongly seasonal domestic fresh-fruit market with meaningful local production and large import volumes to supply year-round retail demand. Statistics Canada reported 25,907 tonnes of fresh strawberry production in 2024, rebounding from weather-impacted 2023. Import supply is concentrated in the United States and Mexico (HS 081010) based on UN Comtrade-derived WITS data for 2024. Quebec is Canada’s leading producing province, and Quebec’s strawberry season spans early availability in May with later varieties offered into mid-October, while greenhouse production is developing.
Market RoleDomestic producer with significant seasonal imports
Domestic RolePrimarily fresh-market consumption with seasonal direct-to-consumer sales (including pick-your-own) and retail distribution; limited export volume relative to imports.
Market GrowthMixed (recent seasons (2023–2024))weather-driven year-to-year swings alongside gradual expansion of greenhouse/controlled-environment production
SeasonalityDomestic field supply is concentrated in late spring through early fall; in Quebec, first fruit can be available in May and later varieties are available into mid-October, with greenhouse production beginning to develop.
Specification
Secondary Variety- Jewel
- Seascape
- Kent
- Honeoye
- Albion
Physical Attributes- Canada No. 1 grade requirements emphasize berries that are fairly clean, firm and sound, well formed with calyx attached, of mature characteristic colour, and free from mould and surface moisture.
- Minimum diameter for Canada No. 1 grade is 16 mm.
Grades- Canada No. 1 (fresh strawberries grade name in the Canadian Grade Compendium)
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Harvest (field/greenhouse) → rapid cooling and sorting → packing → refrigerated distribution to retail/direct sales
- Imports: exporter packing and cold chain → border/entry compliance checks → importer distribution to retail
Temperature- Quality preservation requires rapid cooling and sustained near-0°C cold chain; postharvest guidance commonly cites ~0°C with high relative humidity for optimum storage.
Atmosphere Control- Modified/controlled atmosphere approaches (e.g., elevated CO2) are used in some supply chains to slow decay, but do not replace strict temperature management.
Shelf Life- Shelf life is short and highly sensitive to bruising and temperature breaks; decay pressure remains a primary postharvest loss driver.
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeLand
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighNon-compliance with CFIA plant health requirements (e.g., detection of quarantine pests, soil/plant debris contamination, or missing origin-specific phytosanitary documentation where required) can result in refusal of entry, removal, treatment, or destruction at the Canadian border.Confirm origin-specific Fragaria spp. requirements in CFIA D-95-08 Appendix 1 before contracting; implement pre-shipment pest/cleanliness checks and document reviews aligned to CFIA requirements.
Climate MediumCanadian strawberry production is weather-sensitive; Statistics Canada documented soggy soils in Quebec contributing to a national production low in 2023, indicating material year-to-year supply volatility.Use multi-origin sourcing across provinces and imports; maintain contingency plans for wet-weather yield losses during the domestic season.
Food Safety MediumPesticide residue compliance is enforced via Health Canada MRLs and CFIA monitoring; exceedances can trigger enforcement actions including rejection of imports or market removal.Require residue management programs and testing aligned with Canadian MRLs for the crop–pesticide combinations used; audit spray records and supplier preventive controls.
Logistics MediumFresh strawberries have very short shelf life and high decay sensitivity; temperature breaks or transit delays can cause rapid quality loss and high shrink, especially in long-distance or peak-demand periods.Contract refrigerated capacity with temperature monitoring, use rapid precooling, and align harvest-to-delivery schedules tightly to retail specifications.
Sustainability- Plasticulture and packaging waste management (field production and retail pack formats)
- Water and drainage management risk in humid/rainfall events (flooding/waterlogged soils affecting yields)
Labor & Social- Seasonal agricultural labor reliance and associated compliance scrutiny for working and housing conditions under temporary foreign worker programs (including SAWP).
Standards- CanadaGAP (GFSI-recognized food safety program widely used in Canadian fresh produce supply chains)
FAQ
When is the Canadian strawberry season, and what drives off-season imports?Domestic supply is concentrated in late spring through early fall; Quebec reports first strawberries available from May and later varieties offered into mid-October. Canada imports large volumes outside the domestic season, with 2024 imports dominated by the United States and Mexico (HS 081010) according to UN Comtrade-derived WITS data.
What are the key compliance requirements for importing fresh strawberries into Canada?Importers are responsible for meeting food safety and consumer protection requirements under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations and the Food and Drug Regulations. Fresh strawberries are also subject to CFIA plant health rules under D-95-08, including being free from soil/plant debris and quarantine pests, and origin-specific phytosanitary requirements (some origins require phytosanitary certificates and some trial origins require permits to import).
What is the Canadian grade name for fresh strawberries?The Canadian Grade Compendium lists the grade name for fresh strawberries as Canada No. 1, with requirements covering firmness/soundness, calyx attachment, maturity colour, freedom from mould/surface moisture, and a minimum diameter of 16 mm.