Local strawberry and raspberry growers in Quebec are reporting a noticeable shortage of their produce in grocery stores this summer. Josiane Cormier, representing the Association of Strawberry and Raspberry Producers of Quebec, has warned that an influx of berries from Mexico and the United States is limiting shelf space for Quebec-grown fruit.
The association notes that Quebec has historically supplied the province's markets with strawberries and raspberries, but the current season has seen a surge in imports from across the border. Producers say the imported fruit is reaching stores more quickly and occupying the same display areas that previously featured locally harvested berries.
Cormier attributes the reduced presence of Quebec fruit to what she describes as unfair competition from foreign growers. She points to the increased volume of Mexican and U.S. berries arriving in the province as a key factor that is crowding out domestic products. The association is calling attention to the impact on local farms, which rely on supermarket shelf space to reach consumers.
The situation highlights a shift in the supply chain for small fruits within Quebec during the summer of 2026. While the province continues to grow strawberries and raspberries, the heightened presence of imported berries is changing the composition of what shoppers find on the aisles. Local producers are urging attention to the balance between imported and homegrown fruit, emphasizing the role Quebec traditionally plays in feeding its own markets.