Strawberries: export from Canada to ASEAN

Canadian strawberries move into export almost entirely as frozen product rather than fresh, since fresh strawberry logistics from Canada to Southeast Asia are not competitive against closer origins.

The formats are IQF whole, IQF sliced, block frozen and puree, and they serve different buyers: IQF whole for bakery and retail, sliced for foodservice and inclusion, puree for beverage and dairy.

Specification points are size grade, brix, colour, defect tolerance and, for puree, whether seeded or seedless and the pasteurisation regime.

Canadian volumes are modest compared with the major frozen strawberry origins, so the trade is specification-led rather than price-led. Buyers should be clear about what the Canadian origin is delivering (usually a flavour and provenance position rather than a cost advantage) and price the programme accordingly.

Frozen strawberries classify by whether sugar has been added, and puree may sit in a different line again from whole or sliced fruit. Send the exact format so the position we confirm matches the declaration.