Association’s annual event drew record crowd and highlighted country’s growing importance on global fresh produce stage

MTCC Toronto CPMA 2026

Image: Fruitnet

The Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) says it brought together more than 4,600 attendees and 700 exhibitors representing more than 330 companies at its 2026 Convention and Trade Show in Toronto last week.

Among those exhibitors, a total of 151 were from 13 countries outside Canada, alongside 194 Canadian exhibitors – of which 49 were new CPMA members.

The event’s 2026 New Product Showcase featured 66 products from 51 different companies. “CPMA’s Annual Convention and Trade Show provides produce industry professionals with exceptional networking, education, and business development opportunities,” said Ron Lemaire, CPMA president.

“The remarkable turnout and international participation at this year’s event is unprecedented illustrating the competitiveness of the Canadian produce marketplace and the key role it plays driving economy in Canada and beyond.”

The organisation also congratulated a number of individuals and companies who earned honours at this year’s event. These included:

  • Fresh Health Award – Canadawide Fruit Wholesalers
  • Young Professional Award – Amanda Knauff, Taylor Farms
  • Lifetime Achievement Award – Paul Catania Jr, Catania Worldwide
  • The Packer’s Produce Person of the Year Award – Daniel Terrault, Gen V

Equifruit CPMA 2026

The Equifruit team at CPMA 2026

Image: Fruitnet

The following companies scooped a Best Booth Award:

  • Best Island Booth Award – DelFrescoPure
  • Best Inline Booth Award – Bayshore Family Farms
  • Best First-Time Exhibitor Booth Award – The Produce Counter
  • People’s Choice Award - Equifruit

Award Winners CPMA 2026

Image: Fruitnet

Other award winners included The Produce Counter’s Arte salad, Mastronardi Produce’s Sunset-branded Tomato Branch, Earthbound Farm Beet Greens, and Apple Sticks by Martin’s Family Fruit Farm.

Following the Annual Convention and Trade Show, CPMA hosted the second edition of Women in Produce Summit, providing women with a unique networking and educational opportunity.

CPMA thanked all sponsors, volunteers, exhibitors, and attendees for making the events possible, and said it looked forward to welcoming the industry again on 13-15 April 2027 in Vancouver.

Thanks to the generosity of this year’s exhibitors, it added, almost 20 tonnes of fresh produce were donated to Toronto’s Daily Bread Food Bank.

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