CPMA 2026 state of the industry: built to adapt – turning pressure into progress

The Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) president, Ron Lemaire, delivered a clear and confident message at the Association’s 2026 Annual Convention: Canada’s fresh produce sectoroperating under real pressure — but it is not breaking.

In Toronto, addressing industry leaders from across the supply chain, CPMA president, Ron Lemaire, framed the state of the sector around a central theme of adaptive capacity — the ability of the produce industry to flex, adjust, and perform under sustained strain while continuing to deliver food security, affordability, and resilience for Canadians.

“2026 is not a story of retreat,” said Lemaire. “It is a story of adaptive capacity — strength without breaking. Pressure is real, but so is our choice. We can turn that pressure into progress.”