CPMA and IFPA: Tariff Removal a Critical Step for Integrated Produce Trade

August 29, 2025

The Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) and the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) welcome the recent announcement by Prime Minister Mark Carney that Canada will remove its retaliatory tariffs on USMCA-compliant goods, including several fresh produce items, effective Sept. 1.

IFPA CEO Cathy Burns and CPMA President Ron Lemaire said:

“This decision is a critical step for restoring stability in the North American fresh produce marketplace. Tariffs on fruits and vegetables have placed unnecessary strain on growers, exporters, retailers, and consumers, disrupting one of the most deeply integrated supply chains in the world. The removal of the Canadian retaliatory tariffs on certain U.S. produce items will ease pressure on supply chains, help lower costs, and ensure families across the continent continue to have access to affordable, nutritious fruits and vegetables year-round.

“Earlier this year, CPMA and IFPA, joined by more than a dozen representatives of the North American fresh fruit and vegetable sector, sent a joint letter to U.S. President Donald Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney urging the swift removal of tariffs and the restoration of trade stability for our sector. In that letter, we stressed the interdependence of the North American produce supply chain and the severe consequences tariffs impose on growers, exporters, retailers, and consumers. This announcement reflects progress toward the collaborative, tariff-free trade we called for.

“In 2024 alone, Canada imported nearly $5.5 billion in fresh produce from the United States, while Canadian companies exported more than $4.5 billion in fresh produce—over 97 percent of which went to the United States. These figures reflect the critical interdependence of our agricultural economies and the importance of predictable, tariff-free trade.

“Our organizations remain committed to advocating for fair and open trade across North America. A stable and collaborative trade agreement is essential to supporting growers, strengthening supply chains, and protecting consumer access to fresh produce.”

CPMA and IFPA: Tariff Removal a Critical Step for Integrated Produce Trade

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