Introduction
The Fruit and Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation (DRC) is a not-for-profit, member-based, international entity providing a broad range of private, commercial dispute resolution services to the fresh fruit and vegetable trade. DRC’s Operating Rules and Trade Standards are the recognized and adopted principles for the trade of fresh produce.
The DRC is the third party responsible for the management of certain Canadian fresh fruit and vegetable grade requirements resulting from a regulatory amendment and a formal Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)-DRC Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). For details, refer to: https://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2025/2025-10-08/html/sor-dors192-eng.html
About the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable (FFV) Grade Requirements
In Canada, certain fresh fruit and vegetables must be graded in order to be marketed in import or interprovincial trade.
The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Grade Requirements contains specific requirements that are used as a reference point to:
- provide criteria for consistent product quality
- support industry in marketing their product
- inform consumers’ purchasing decisions
- facilitate trade between countries and provinces
- establish uniform trading language for pricing and contracts between buyer and seller.
Therefore, the grades and requirements are:
- an essential business-to-business tool
- a measure of consumer confidence.
The DRC is responsible for the commodities found in the document, while the CFIA retains responsibility for apples, onions and potatoes through the Canadian Grade Compendium: Volume 2 – Fresh Fruit or Vegetables.
Click here for previous versions of the CFIA Canadian Grade Compendium: Volume 2 – Fresh Fruit or Vegetables prior to February 6, 2026.
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Consultations
There are currently no public consultations.
Proposed Changes
There are currently no proposed changes to the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Grade Requirements.
Resources:
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- Codex Alimentarius (Codex)
- United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
Inquiries
Here is how you can reach us:
Email: ffv-flf@fvdrc.com
Phone: +1 613 234 0982
