OTTAWA – Massimo Bergamini, Executive Director of the Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada (FVGC), participated in the Prime Minister’s Canada-U.S. Economic Summit today in Toronto.
“Canada’s fruit and vegetable sector is deeply integrated with the U.S. market, ensuring year-round access to fresh, high-quality produce on both sides of the border,” said Bergamini. “A stable and predictable trade environment is critical to food security, economic resilience, and the viability of Canadian farms.
He joined more than 150 Canadian leaders in trade, business, and public policy along with the Prime Minister and several members of his cabinet to discuss strengthening economic ties between Canada and the United States while addressing key trade and competitiveness issues.
Bergamini highlighted the potential risks posed by proposed U.S. tariffs on Canadian agricultural exports, noting that such measures could disrupt supply chains, increase costs, and threaten food affordability. In 2023, Canada exported $40 billion worth of food and agricultural products to the U.S., with fruit and vegetable growers accounting for $4.4 billion of that total. The greenhouse vegetable sector, which exports approximately 75% of its production to the U.S., would be particularly vulnerable to trade disruptions.
“Our growers need better tools to withstand these risks, including enhanced business risk management programs that reflect the realities of perishable crop production,” Bergamini emphasized. “Current support mechanisms, such as AgriStability and AgriInsurance, do not adequately cover revenue losses or account for the rapid response needed when markets shift overnight. Without stronger safeguards, the entire food system—farmers, retailers, and Canadian consumers—will face increased uncertainty and higher costs.”
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