Supply Chain Disruptions

Substantial increases in costs and delays along the supply chain threaten our food security and the long-term economic viability of the North American fresh produce sector. These costs cannot be fully borne by the industry and will ultimately be passed to consumers – affecting most those who can least afford it.

CPMA is actively engaged in advocating for swift government action to address the supply chain challenges facing our sector, including:

• Crippling port congestion
• Delays and exploding costs in container and freight shipping
• Cascading effects of inconsistent product delivery
• Continuing labour shortages across the supply chain
• Growing input shortages
• Stockpiling of product by consumers

Joint statement by the North American produce industry on supply chain disruptions

Infographic: Supply Chain Disruptions in the Canadian produce industry

As part of these efforts, CPMA is working with agri-food and other partner organizations to amplify our messages, including our call for the appointment of a Supply Chain Commissioner to lead a Joint Industry-Government Task Force to address supply chain disruptions:

• February 2022 – CPMA Letter to Ministers following National Supply Chain Summit 
  • CPMA Follow up to the National Supply Chain Summit
• January 2022 – CPMA North American Trade Working Group proposal on Supply Chain Solutions
• December 2021 – CPMA and CHC letter to Prime Minister Trudeau and Cabinet Ministers
• CPMA is a member of the Coalition to Fix the Container Crunch calling for government action to address container shipping challenges.
• CPMA, Food and Beverage Canada, and others have come together to propose an Emergency Foreign Worker program to help address the labour shortages facing food and beverage manufacturing sector.