The Government of Canada is making progress in expanding and diversifying markets for its industry. blueberry, with the aim of supporting producers in exporting high-quality Canadian fruit to new international destinations.

One year after the trade mission carried out by the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food, Heath MacDonald, to the Philippines and other Indo-Pacific markets, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency —CFIA— announced that fresh blueberries from British Columbia can now be exported to the Philippine market.

The CFIA worked with the Philippine government to develop export requirements that can be met by the industry. blueberry from British Columbia. To ship fresh fruit from Canada to that market, producers and packing plants must be registered with the CFIA and have a phytosanitary certificate.

In addition, exporters must comply with the phytosanitary requirements established by the Philippines. blueberries They will be inspected by the CFIA before export, in order to confirm that they are free of soil and pests, and that they have been packed in new or clean containers.

A pilot program will be implemented during 2026, beginning with exports from a pre-identified production field and packing plant. Full implementation is planned for 2027, when all production fields and packing plants in British Columbia will be eligible to register for export. blueberries fresh to the Philippines.

Ensuring and expanding access to international markets is a priority for the Government of Canada, especially as part of a strategy aimed at greater trade diversification. Within this framework, the CFIA negotiates import requirements with trading partners, shares these requirements with Canadian producers and packing facilities, and verifies compliance through inspections.

As Canada's national plant protection agency, the CFIA also promotes safe trade, protects the country's plant resources, and works with its international counterparts to prevent the movement of invasive species that may pose risks to the environment, forests, and the economy.

New opportunities for the sector

“The growing demand for Canadian products, both at home and abroad, is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our farmers and food producers. Our government is committed to supporting producers and exporters in their pursuit of new markets, while continuing to strengthen their success within the country,” said Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

From the industry's perspective, the opening was also seen as a significant step for British Columbia producers.

“The new access to the Philippine market is a major victory for producers of blueberries “This opens the door to one of Asia’s fastest-growing consumer markets and reflects the strength of Canada’s food safety and plant health systems. On behalf of our growers, we thank the CFIA for their work in achieving this milestone and look forward to bringing the quality and freshness of British Columbia blueberries to Filipino consumers,” said Sudeshna Nambiar, executive director of the British Columbia Blueberry Council.

Canadian fruit production on the rise

Fruit production in Canada continues its positive trend. In 2024, Canadian farmers cultivated over 930.000 metric tons of fruit, the third-highest volume in the last decade.

Growth was driven by the strong performance of species such as blueberries Blueberries, cranberries, strawberries, and apples. In particular, the production of blueberries Blueberry sales increased by about 39%, while cranberry sales grew by more than 29%.

Blueberry recovery in British Columbia

After four challenging years, British Columbia's highbush blueberry crop showed a strong recovery. In just one year, growers increased their production by 41%.

Although the harvest was still slightly below the historical average, it was the third highest in the last five years. British Columbia continues to be Canada's leading highbush blueberry producing region.

A key crop for Canadian agricultural exports

The blueberries They remain a significant product for Canada's agricultural economy. In 2024, the country exported over $695 million worth of blueberries.

Furthermore, this crop alone accounted for two-thirds of the total value of Canadian fruit exports during that year, confirming its importance within the country's agricultural export sector.