Market
Fresh (dry/bulb) onions are a significant Canadian field vegetable crop, with Statistics Canada reporting record production of 298,564 tonnes in 2024 and a farm-gate value of CAD 181.1 million. Production is concentrated primarily in Ontario and Quebec, supported by storage infrastructure that enables year-round availability. Canada is a net importer in fresh onions and shallots (HS 070310), with 2024 imports substantially exceeding exports; the United States and Mexico are the dominant import suppliers. Exports are comparatively smaller and are overwhelmingly shipped to the United States.
Market RoleNet importer with meaningful domestic production (primarily Ontario and Quebec)
Domestic RoleStaple household and foodservice vegetable with substantial domestic production and storage supply, supplemented by imports
SeasonalityYear-round retail availability is supported by storage onions harvested in mid-to-late summer through early fall in key producing regions, with domestic storage drawdown through winter/spring and imports used to bridge supply gaps.
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighBorder clearance can be blocked or severely delayed if importers do not hold the required Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) licence for fresh fruits or vegetables and correctly provide it in the Integrated Import Declaration (IID); CFIA also specifies commodity-specific import certification requirements for onions (for example, inspection certificates confirming Canadian import requirements for quality, labelling and packaging).Confirm admissibility and certification in CFIA AIRS; ensure an active SFC import licence where required; pre-validate IID data fields; obtain the required onion inspection certificate for the origin/shipment before arrival.
Food Safety HighOnions have a demonstrated food-safety disruption risk from Salmonella contamination events leading to Class 1 recalls in Canada (including recalls of imported onions), which can trigger rapid product withdrawal, buyer blocks and reputational damage.Strengthen supplier preventive controls (GAP/HACCP), require robust lot coding and traceability, monitor CFIA recall alerts, and implement rapid hold-and-release procedures for high-risk lots/origins.
Climate MediumWeather variability can materially affect Canadian onion yields and quality; Statistics Canada linked 2024’s record crop in part to improved conditions after challenging wet growing conditions in 2023 in Eastern Canada, highlighting exposure to excess rainfall and field conditions in key producing provinces.Diversify sourcing across provinces and storage operators; use forward contracts and storage/quality specs that account for wet-season disease and storability risks.
Logistics MediumBecause Canada’s largest onion supply flows are cross-border and truck-based, trucking rate spikes, border congestion, or winter transport disruptions can quickly raise landed costs and create availability gaps, especially when domestic stored inventories tighten late season.Use multi-lane freight contracting and buffer inventory; qualify secondary origins and Canadian storage suppliers; align delivery windows with storage drawdown and import lead times.
Sustainability- Drainage and water-management dependence in intensive specialty-crop areas with organic (muck) soils (for example, Holland Marsh) that support onion production.
- Irrigation dependence for shallow-rooted onion crops; water management is material for yield and storability.
Labor & Social- Seasonal labour reliance in Canadian agriculture; employers may use the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) for temporary foreign workers, making worker welfare and housing/working-conditions compliance a recurring due-diligence theme.
FAQ
Is a licence required to import fresh onions into Canada?CFIA and CBSA guidance indicates that an SFC (Safe Food for Canadians) licence is mandatory to import fresh fruits or vegetables when required for the commodity, and shipments can be delayed or refused if a valid SFC licence is not provided in the Integrated Import Declaration (IID). Importers should verify the specific requirement for onions and their origin in CFIA’s Automated Import Reference System (AIRS).
Do imported onions need special certificates at the Canadian border?CFIA guidance states that imported onions require an inspection certificate showing minimum Canadian import requirements for quality, labelling and packaging are met (for example, certificates issued by USDA for U.S.-origin onions, or by CFIA as applicable). Additional plant protection requirements (such as phytosanitary certification or an import permit) may apply depending on origin and conditions shown in AIRS.
Where does Canada source most of its fresh onions from?UN Comtrade-based WITS data for HS 070310 (fresh or chilled onions and shallots) shows that Canada’s 2024 imports were led by the United States and Mexico, with other smaller suppliers including Peru and the Netherlands.