Updated 29 September 2026
Canada offers food exporters opportunities across fresh produce, specialty groceries, seafood, coffee, ingredients and foodservice. Its domestic production is complemented by imports that extend seasonal availability, supply tropical products and serve a varied consumer market.
This guide retains the original focus on fruit, vegetables, nuts, seafood, coffee and trade with the United States. It connects those categories with practical market-entry preparation and 10 company profiles from BestFoodImporters, covering importers, distributors, producers and a retailer.
Fresh fruit: seasonality and product fit
Canada produces a wide range of fruit, while its growing seasons create room for complementary overseas supply. Tropical products and fruit supplied outside the local harvest window remain useful areas to assess. Match the crop, variety and shipment timing to a buyer’s programme rather than treating all imported fruit as one opportunity.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s 2024 fruit report puts fresh and frozen fruit imports above C$8.2 billion in 2024. This is a fresh-and-frozen fruit measure; it should not be combined with vegetables or presented as a total for all food imports.
The original guide highlighted bananas, grapes, citrus, berries, pineapples and avocados as products to research. For each crop, assess competing origins, seasonal availability, transport time and condition on arrival. North American and Latin American supply routes are relevant to this exercise, but supplier rankings should be checked at commodity level.
Fresh vegetables
Domestic production and imports work alongside one another in the Canadian vegetable market. The commercial opportunity depends on the crop and season, with products such as lettuce, onions, broccoli, tomatoes and peppers requiring different handling and supply arrangements.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s 2025 field-vegetable report records fresh-vegetable imports above C$3.90 billion, down 11.1% from 2024. Use the report’s commodity definitions when comparing figures: a fresh-vegetable measure is not interchangeable with all processed vegetables, potatoes or the entire food market.
Growers should present a harvest calendar, weekly volume, grading, packaging and cold-chain plan. For mushrooms and other sensitive products, the remaining selling window after transport can be as important as the unit price. Confirm where the buyer receives goods and which quality checks apply on arrival.
Nuts, seeds, dried fruit and seafood
Nuts, seeds and dried fruit offer several routes into Canada: bulk ingredients, further processing, retail snack packs and foodservice. The required specification changes with the use. A nut for confectionery production and a seasoned retail snack need different commercial presentations.
Johnvince Foods and Trophy Foods, profiled below, illustrate this distinction between ingredient supply and finished snacking products. Provide size or grade, moisture, processing, allergen controls and shelf-life, and clarify whether the offer is branded, private label or bulk.
Canada’s seafood production is complemented by imported species and processed formats. Match seafood buyers by species, origin, processing and temperature regime. High Liner Foods provides an example in the main table. Toppits, retained from the original guide as an additional company example, offers seafood for foodservice and retail, including battered and breaded products. Its current official contact address is in Brampton, Ontario.
For organic or nutrition-focused products, certification and a clear product proposition matter more than broad claims of a health-food boom. Assess the intended category and permitted claims, and support the pitch with specifications and commercial evidence.
Coffee and tea
The original guide’s coffee focus remains useful, but exporters should separate green coffee, roasted coffee, tea materials and finished consumer packs. A producer or roaster evaluates origins and consistency differently from a distributor assessing a packaged brand.
Mother Parkers Tea & Coffee is a focused company example below. Suppliers should prepare origin, variety, processing and sensory information, explain lot consistency and establish the buyer’s sample procedure. For finished products, add pack format, shelf-life and intended sales channel. Explore the tea and coffee importer database to build a more specific shortlist.
Trade links with the United States
Canada and the United States have closely connected food supply chains. Trade includes raw materials and processed goods, so the same broad sector can show imports in both directions. For exporters outside North America, this means assessing established regional supply alongside the gap the proposed product could fill.
USMCA, called CUSMA in Canada, entered into force on 1 July 2020. Its agricultural provisions are part of the wider trade framework. Preferential treatment depends on the product and relevant conditions; confirm current tariff and origin requirements before quoting. See USDA’s agricultural trade overview for historical context.
A Canadian sales plan also needs regional detail. Establish whether the buyer serves a province, several regions or a national customer base, and which warehouse will receive goods. The listed location of a company is a research starting point rather than a guarantee of delivery coverage.
Food-import preparation for Canada
CFIA’s step-by-step import guide sets out how to assess the requirements for the food, importer and shipment. Determine the applicable Safe Food for Canadians licence requirements, preventive controls, preventive control plan and traceability obligations. Confirm product-specific conditions before arranging samples or commercial consignments.
Agree who maintains the food-safety information, verifies the overseas supplier and manages recalls. Prepare specifications, ingredient and allergen information, traceability and relevant supporting documents so the importer can assess the product.
Most mandatory information on consumer prepackaged food must appear in English and French, subject to specific exemptions. Use CFIA’s bilingual labelling guidance and review the complete label for the exact food and sales destination. A label used successfully in another country should not be assumed ready for Canada.
Compare 10 food importers and buyers in Canada
Company records reviewed in BestFoodImporters on 29 September 2026. These examples illustrate different buying routes; they are not a ranking or a statement of current purchasing needs. Bases are listed locations, not guaranteed sales territories.
On a phone, swipe the table sideways to see all columns.
| Company | Base / location | Product focus | Business type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gordon Food Service Canada | Delta, British Columbia | Foodservice produce, meat, seafood, dairy, bakery and frozen foods | Distributor / supplier |
| Colabor Food Distributor | Boucherville, Quebec | Meat, seafood, dairy, produce and frozen groceries | Importer / distributor / wholesaler |
| High Liner Foods | Halifax, Nova Scotia | Frozen fish, seafood, salmon and shrimp | Seafood business / importer / wholesaler |
| Johnvince Foods | Toronto, Ontario | Nuts, seeds, dried fruit, snacks, grains and seasonings | Importer / distributor / producer / retailer |
| Italian Centre Shop Ltd. | Edmonton, Alberta | Italian groceries, cheese, cured meats, pasta and olive oil | Importer / wholesaler / retailer |
| Trophy Foods Inc. | Mississauga, Ontario | Nuts, trail mixes, dried-fruit snacks and confectionery | Importer / producer |
| Mother Parkers Tea & Coffee Inc. | Mississauga, Ontario | Coffee and tea | Importer / producer / distributor |
| Tree of Life Canada ULC | Mississauga, Ontario | Specialty, natural and organic groceries | Importer / distributor |
| Grandview Brokerage Limited / The Oppenheimer Group (Oppy) | Coquitlam, British Columbia | Fresh fruit, vegetables and organic produce | Importer / distributor / wholesaler |
| T&T Supermarket Inc. | Richmond, British Columbia | Asian groceries, fresh foods, seafood, noodles and frozen products | Importer / retailer / online sales |
Company profiles and supplier approach
1. Gordon Food Service Canada
Delta, British Columbia · Distributor / supplier
Gordon Food Service Canada remains a useful foodservice example from the original guide. Its product coverage spans meat, seafood, produce, dairy, bakery and frozen foods. The BFI record classifies this Canadian entity as a distributor and supplier.
Before approaching: Confirm whether the relevant team buys directly overseas or through another importing entity. Lead with catering pack sizes, kitchen yield, preparation method and delivery requirements.
2. Colabor Food Distributor
Boucherville, Quebec · Importer / distributor / wholesaler
Colabor’s range includes fresh and frozen proteins, dairy, produce, rice, pasta, seasonings and beverages. Suppliers should develop a category-specific proposition rather than rely on its broad food coverage alone.
Before approaching: Specify the intended customer channel, pack format, order size and delivery model. Confirm the purchasing entity and region served before preparing a volume offer.
3. High Liner Foods
Halifax, Nova Scotia · Seafood business / importer / wholesaler
High Liner’s BFI product detail centres on frozen fish and seafood, including salmon and shrimp, with smoked seafood also represented. Processing format and intended application are key to selecting the relevant buying route.
Before approaching: Prepare species, origin, grade, cut or coating, freezing method and packaging details. Confirm whether the enquiry concerns raw material, processed seafood or a finished product.
4. Johnvince Foods
Toronto, Ontario · Importer / distributor / producer / retailer
Johnvince combines importing, production and distribution with a range that includes nuts, seeds, dried fruit, confectionery, grains and seasonings. It connects the original guide’s nuts and seeds discussion with a practical buyer example.
Before approaching: Distinguish bulk ingredients from finished snack packs. Provide grade, moisture, processing, allergen controls and shelf-life, together with the available volumes.
5. Italian Centre Shop Ltd.
Edmonton, Alberta · Importer / wholesaler / retailer
Italian Centre Shop combines importing and wholesale with retail activities. Its product range includes cheese, cured meats, canned vegetables, pasta, olive oil, coffee and delicatessen products, with Italy recorded among its sourcing origins.
Before approaching: Explain the product’s place in an Italian or specialty grocery range. Prepare retail pack details, shelf-life, price position and a clear proposal for the relevant wholesale or retail channel.
6. Trophy Foods Inc.
Mississauga, Ontario · Importer / producer
Trophy Foods combines importing and production. Its branded range includes mixed nuts, peanuts and trail mixes containing dried fruit and seeds, adding a processing and snacking route to the Canadian buyer shortlist.
Before approaching: Clarify whether you are offering raw nuts, processed ingredients or finished products. Set out grading, roasting or seasoning, allergen management, packaging and volume.
7. Mother Parkers Tea & Coffee Inc.
Mississauga, Ontario · Importer / producer / distributor
Mother Parkers combines tea and coffee production with importing, distribution and supply activities. The company provides a focused example for the original guide’s coffee category rather than a general grocery route.
Before approaching: Identify whether the offer is green coffee, tea material or another product format. Prepare origin, variety, processing, sensory profile, consistency and sample availability.
8. Tree of Life Canada ULC
Mississauga, Ontario · Importer / distributor
Tree of Life Canada distributes specialty and natural foods. Its detailed range covers cheese, pantry products, olive oil, pasta, coffee and several organic categories. Packaged-food exporters should connect their brand proposition to a specific category and customer.
Before approaching: Present retail-ready packaging, target consumer, shelf-life, case configuration and commercial support. Confirm the category team and proposed route to retail before planning launch volumes.
9. Grandview Brokerage Limited / The Oppenheimer Group (Oppy)
Coquitlam, British Columbia · Importer / distributor / wholesaler
The BFI record for Grandview Brokerage Limited links to Oppy and identifies The Oppenheimer Group as its brand. Its product coverage centres on fresh fruit, vegetables and organic produce, with sourcing across several continents.
Before approaching: Lead with crop, origin, harvest calendar, grading and weekly availability. Confirm the purchasing entity, destination programme and cold-chain arrangements for the proposed supply.
Grandview Brokerage Limited / The Oppenheimer Group (Oppy) — official website
10. T&T Supermarket Inc.
Richmond, British Columbia · Importer / retailer / online sales
T&T is an Asian supermarket business with fresh-food and grocery ranges that include seafood, noodles, rice, sauces, snacks and frozen products. It illustrates a direct retail buying route alongside the distributors in this guide.
Before approaching: Explain customer fit and differentiation within the relevant Asian grocery category. Prepare compliant retail labels, case quantities, shelf-life and a region-specific launch proposal.
Prepare a focused buyer approach
- Choose the purchasing route. Decide whether your offer is a bulk ingredient, a product for processing, a private-label line or a finished brand. Match it to the business model in the table.
- Explain the product fit. Identify the relevant category and intended customer. State what your product adds, such as a seasonal supply window, distinctive specification, useful format or clear price position.
- Make the proposal commercially usable. Include minimum order, case and pallet configuration, available volume, lead time, shelf-life and delivery terms. Identify the destination so the buyer can assess transport and handling.
- Prepare the technical file. Have product specification, ingredients, allergens, traceability and relevant certificates ready. Confirm the label and sample requirements with the responsible importing team.
- Start with a realistic territory. Agree a manageable launch region, stock location and replenishment plan. Expand when supply consistency and repeat sales support it.
Trade shows and industry meetings can help establish relationships, while targeted outreach lets suppliers contact a carefully researched shortlist. Follow our guide to writing emails to food importers to turn the preparation into a concise first message.
Related markets and product research
Compare this market with food importers in the USA and our UK food-import guide. Evaluate each destination against your product, margins and delivery model.
For category planning, explore frozen-food export opportunities and olive-oil export markets. Build more focused lists using our fruit and vegetable importer database and fish and seafood importer database.
Common questions
How do I choose a food importer in Canada?
Start with the exact product, format, intended channel and destination. Use the table to identify a suitable business model, then confirm the company’s purchasing scope and requirements with the relevant team.
Do all these companies distribute outside food brands?
No. The selection includes distribution businesses alongside companies with production, ingredient-buying or retail activities. Establish whether the buyer evaluates your type of offer before sending a full catalogue or samples.
Does inclusion mean a company wants new suppliers?
No. Product coverage provides a research lead. Current purchasing needs, accepted origins, technical requirements and onboarding must be confirmed directly.
Where can I find more food buyers in Canada?
The BestFoodImporters platform lets you combine location, product-category and company-type filters and inspect detailed company records. Request a demo to explore this process for your products.
Sources and editorial method
The ten profiles draw on BestFoodImporters records reviewed on 29 September 2026. Selected product ranges are summarised. Official company sources supplement the records where needed; supplier preparation advice is editorial analysis, not a statement of an individual company’s purchasing policy. Market figures are dated and linked to their sources. Import guidance should be checked for the exact food, origin and shipment.
Trophy’s specific snack formats are supported by its product range; Toppits is an additional example supported by its official site. Gordon Food Service Canada is identified as a distributor and supplier, consistent with its platform classification.
