CPMA has developed the following statistical site that portrays the fruit and vegetable market situation in Canada and the factors and trends influencing the Canadian market and its competition.  As this is in the formative stages, it will be expanded as statistics become available and updates will be made as soon as possible after the release of data.

Domestic Demographics

Demographic drivers are important components in the demand for fruit and vegetables and the types of produce consumed.  Populations ageing, rising income levels and the corresponding trend to healthy eating, have increased demand for quality produce.  Canadians 45 years of age or more now account for 40% of the population.  This number will reach 45% and 48% by 2026. In 2005,
$5+ million were spent at retail on fresh produce.

Specialty produce, such as organics is also growing.  Organic fruits and vegetables are an emerging market and as such do not have the volumes to report.  Statistics are soft as the definition as to “organic” and certification is still in the formative stages.  However, early reports for the Canadian market indicate increases in the neighborhood of 400 to 500 per cent. The top five organic fruit are strawberries, bananas, kiwis, oranges and apples. The top five vegetables are mini-peeled carrots, carrots, romaine hearts, broccoli and spring mix. Organic sales are represented approximately,
3.2 % of the increase in overall produce sales.  The amount of square footage dedicated to organics varies depending on the banner and can go from 12 square feet to 250 square feet.

While population aging has also led to slower population growth, this has been offset to some extent by rising levels of immigration. 2005 saw the greatest increase to date with 260,000 immigrants. We have also seen a shift from primarily European to Asian (61% of immigrants in 2005), and a marked increase from Central, South America, Africa as well as India.  As a result the last few years have seen an increased demand for ethnic fruits and vegetables.

The concept of buying local is simply to buy food  produced, grown, or raised as close to your home as possible. With industrialization, our food is now grown and processed in fewer and fewer locations, meaning it has to travel further to reach the average consumer’s refrigerator. Agricultural communities are banding together to promote buying local to help build a sustainable community food system, which can improve the health of the community, the natural environment and individuals.

Imports

The U.S. is our major trading partner– Canada imports 51% of our fruit from the U.S. followed by Chile at 10 % and Mexico at 7 %. Vegetable imports from the  US are at 72%, remaining relatively the same over the last five years. Mexico falls in next with imports of 15%.

Trade Flows (Global - FAO):

http://faostat.fao.org/DesktopModules/Faostat/WATFDetailed2/watf.aspx?PageID=536

Exports

The U.S. is our biggest trading partner – Canada exports 66 % of our fresh fruit and 54% of our fresh vegetables to the States.

Trade Flows (Global - FAO):

http://faostat.fao.org/DesktopModules/Faostat/WATFDetailed2/watf.aspx?PageID=536