Trump Tariff Threat Puts Food Security, Health of Canada’s Fruit and Vegetable Sector at Stake

OTTAWA – The Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada (FVGC) participated today in a critical roundtable on Canada-US trade relations with the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

“Donald Trump’s tariff threat – if it comes to pass — will destabilize our agricultural economy, raise grocery bills, and threaten food security on both sides of the border,” said FVGC Executive Director Massimo Bergamini. “With one in five Canadian households struggling with food insecurity, it is difficult to overstate how important to Canadian families and communities mitigating this threat truly is.”  

This meeting brought together key agricultural stakeholders and the Minister of Agriculture to discuss the U.S. president-elect’s threat of 25% tariffs and the devastating implications these could have on the Canadian agricultural sector, food affordability, and food security.

Key Points Presented by FVGC

• Severe Sector Impacts: Canadian fruit and vegetable exports to the U.S. totaled $4.4 billion in 2023, accounting for 10% of total Canadian agricultural exports to the U.S. These tariffs would disrupt operations, raise input costs, and jeopardize the competitiveness of Canadian growers, while also threatening food safety and public health.
• Greenhouse Growers Particularly Vulnerable: With over 80% of greenhouse produce destined for American consumers, tariffs would disproportionately affect this segment of the industry, driving greenhouse investment and production out of Canada.
• Knock-on Effects of US Tariffs on Mexico: Restrictions on Mexican imports to the U.S. could flood the Canadian market with diverted produce, creating downward pressure on prices and devastating consequences for Canadian growers.

FVGC also highlighted the integrated nature of the Canada-US food supply chain, pointing to the potato sector as an example of cross-border collaboration that relies on free trade for seed potatoes, growers, and processors to operate efficiently.

FVGC expressed its strong support for the Government of Canada’s united Team Canada approach to addressing these trade challenges. However, the association urged the government to prioritize protecting core agricultural inputs in its response to potential American tariffs, recognizing the need to safeguard Canadian food production and affordability.

“Our growers are the foundation of Canada’s food system,” said Bergamini. “We must ensure that they can continue to provide fresh, high-quality food for Canadians and contribute to the resilience of our economy. Protecting our growers protects every Canadian family at the dinner table.”

FVGC will continue to advocate for Canada’s fruit and vegetable sector and work with government and industry leaders to preserve the integrity of the North American food supply chain.