Quebec strawberry and raspberry growers' association officials warned on Friday that a surge in imported berries from the United States is eroding demand for locally produced fruit. The association, represented by Josiane Cormier, said that increased shipments of strawberries and raspberries into Quebec are directly harming provincial growers.
According to the association, the shift follows a noticeable decline in U.S. consumer purchases of berries. As American buyers turn away from the fruit, exporters have redirected larger volumes toward the Quebec market. The influx of U.S. berries, described by the group as “import surge,” is now competing with fruit grown in the province, creating pressure on local farms that depend on stable sales.
Peter Tardif, a spokesperson for the growers, noted that Quebec’s berry industry has historically relied on sales to the United States. The recent drop in American consumption has therefore altered trade patterns, prompting exporters to seek alternative destinations. The result, Tardif explained, is a rise in cross‑border shipments that undercut the pricing and market share of Quebec growers.
The association highlighted that the competition from imported berries is not a temporary anomaly but a development that could have lasting effects on the province’s agricultural sector. Local producers, who have long supplied both domestic and U.S. markets, now face reduced demand at home as imported fruit occupies shelf space and consumer attention.
Stakeholders in the Quebec berry industry are monitoring the situation closely, assessing how the continued flow of U.S. berries might reshape market dynamics. The association has called for attention to the issue, emphasizing the need for measures that could protect local growers from the economic impact of the import surge.