In light of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the EU and Canada coming into effect last week, we take a look at some of the key European fruits and veggies that have made an impact - albeit quite a minor one - on the Canadian market. 

Out of the US$7.5 billion worth of fruits and vegetables Canada imported last year, just US$181 million (2.4%) came from the European Union.

But for a trade bloc that is still reeling from its loss of the Russian market three years ago, any niche outlet is welcome.

According to International Trade Center (ITC) Trade Map statistics, fruits and nuts accounted for the bigger portion of the EU's produce exports to Canada last year, at US$101 million compared to US$80 million in vegetables.

In fruit and nuts this represented a 7% year-on-year decline while for veggies it was an uptick of 13% on 2016, but the rise on 2012 figures was substantial at rates of 74% and 38% respectively. 

EU fruit and nut exports to Canada

Spain was the leader by far in fruit and nut exports with $54.9 million, followed by Italy (US$25.4 million), Greece (US$4.5 million) and Poland (US$4.4 million).

Next came France which actually saw a 24% year-on-year uptick at US$3.2 million, followed by Portugal (US$2.4 million), Bulgaria (US$2.2 million), Cyprus (US$1.3 million) and Germany (US$1.2 million).

In terms of crops, more than one in every three euros earned by the EU fruit and nut industry in Canada came from citrus exports, which were US$30 million last year, down 21% on 2016 but up 47% on 2012 figures.

The EU's Canada-bound berry exports rose by a fifth last year in volume, but were down slightly by 1% at US$16.9 million.

Nut exports dropped 25% to US$11.7 million, but the story was more positive for pome fruit (+57%; US$8.6 million) and stonefruit (+67%; US$6.8 million).

Vegetable trade

Unfortunately the ITC statistics don't give much of a specific indication of vegetable exports by crop, but the leading country in the trade is Spain, accounting for more than half at US$41.9 million, followed by the Netherlands (US$11.5 million), France (US$8 million) and Belgium (US$6.3 million).

Following these countries are Germany (US$3.8 million), Poland (US$3.5 million) and Italy (US$1.9 million).

The biggest increase has been from the Netherlands which surged 137% in its Canada-bound vegetable exports last year, overtaking France and Belgium to the second spot.

The leading category was "fresh or chilled" vegetables with US$30.9 million in exports, vegetables uncooked or cooked by steaming or boiling water at US$14.2 million, and the category "onions, shallots, garlic, leaks and other alliaceous vegetables (US$10 million).

A growth level of 31% was seen in cucumbers and gherkins to reach US$4.9 million, while exports of brassica vegetables were up 108% at US$3.5 million.

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