Strawberries are one of Canada’s most anticipated early-summer fruits, with a short, intense field-grown season and a rapidly growing year-round supply from Canadian greenhouses. When you see strawberries “in season” in Canada, it most often refers to the peak field-grown window in June and July, when local berries are at their fullest flavour and widest availability. Canadian strawberry farmers grow several types of strawberries across Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia, and Atlantic Canada, with day-neutral varieties extending the field-grown season into the fall and greenhouse production now offering Canadian-grown strawberries outside the field season. This guide explains when strawberries are in season in Canada, where they are grown, common Canadian varieties, how to buy and store them, basic nutrition information, and how strawberries are grown from field to store.
At a Glance: When Are Strawberries in Season in Canada?
In Canada, field-grown strawberries are typically harvested from late May or June through October, with exact timing depending on the type of strawberry, the province, and the weather. June-bearing varieties produce one short, concentrated harvest of roughly three weeks in June or early July, while day-neutral varieties produce smaller, repeated harvests from late spring into the fall. Greenhouse and indoor-grown strawberries are increasingly available outside the field-grown window, although timing and availability vary by province, variety, and year.
- Field-grown harvest window: roughly late May or June through October.
- Peak field-grown availability: June and July in most provinces.
- Greenhouse-grown availability: year-round and expanding rapidly across Canada.
- Availability can shift from year to year based on weather and growing conditions.
You can explore other seasonal fruits and vegetables in the broader “What’s in Season in Canada” hub where you’ll find monthly guides to help inform your seasonal purchases, including the June page where strawberries are featured.
Where Are Strawberries Grown in Canada?
Strawberries are grown commercially across most provinces, with the largest producing regions concentrated in Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia, and the Atlantic provinces. According to Statistics Canada, Canadian farmers produced 25,907 tonnes of fresh strawberries in 2024, the highest amount in five years.
- Quebec: The largest strawberry-producing province in Canada, accounting for more than half of the country’s marketed strawberry production. The province is also home to the Association des producteurs de fraises et framboises du Québec and Les Fraiches du Quebec, which represent Quebec strawberry growers.
- Ontario: The second-largest producer, with significant field acreage across southern Ontario. Berry Growers of Ontario represents the province’s berry industry and provides consumer information about Ontario strawberries.
- British Columbia: Strawberry production is concentrated in the fertile Fraser Valley, where the BC Strawberry Growers Association represents roughly 48 growers on about 600 acres.
- Atlantic provinces: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island have established strawberry industries with strong regional identity and farm-direct sales.
Canadian greenhouse strawberry production has expanded rapidly in recent years. Statistics Canada reports that greenhouse strawberry production grew from about 2.6 million kilograms in 2020 to more than 7.5 million kilograms in 2024, with a farm gate value of $75.2 million. This growth is helping make Canadian-grown strawberries available outside the traditional field season.
Canadian Strawberry Varieties
Three Main Types of Canadian Strawberries (and When to Find Them)
There are dozens of strawberry varieties grown commercially in Canada, and most fall into one of three categories based on when and how they produce fruit. Knowing the type can help explain why strawberries can taste, look, and behave so differently depending on when you buy them. Availability windows reflect typical patterns from key producing regions and are not guaranteed; they can vary by province, variety, and year.
For a deeper look at specific varieties by taste, texture, and best use, see the dedicated “Canadian Strawberry Varieties: Taste, Texture and Best Uses” guide.
June-Bearing Strawberries June-bearing strawberries produce one short, concentrated harvest of roughly three weeks, usually in June or early July, depending on the variety and region. Common Canadian-grown June-bearing varieties include Annapolis, Jewel, Glooscap, Honeoye, Wendy, Brunswick, and Kent in Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada, and Clancy, Hood, Honeoye, Rainier, and Totem in British Columbia.
- Typical harvest window: June to early July (some regional variation).
- Best for: jam, freezing in batches, fresh eating at peak.
Day-Neutral Strawberries Day-neutral strawberries produce smaller, repeated harvests from late spring into the fall, which is why local strawberries can sometimes be found in Canadian fields well past the traditional June-July window. Common Canadian day-neutral varieties include Albion, Seascape, and Selva.
- Typical harvest window: late May or June through October.
- Best for: fresh eating, snacking, lunchboxes, and salads through the summer.
Greenhouse-Grown Strawberries Canadian greenhouse strawberries are typically day-neutral varieties grown indoors under controlled conditions, which allows production outside the traditional outdoor growing season. As noted above, Canadian greenhouse strawberry production has nearly tripled since 2020.
- Typical availability: year-round.
- Best for: off-season fresh use when locally grown Canadian berries would otherwise not be available.
Availability windows vary by region and year, and the same variety can taste slightly different depending on the weather during ripening, which is one reason early-season berries and late-season berries can feel like different fruits.
How to Buy Strawberries
Choosing strawberries with good quality and a use in mind can make everyday meals, snacks, and baking easier. Strawberries do not continue to ripen after picking, so the colour, firmness, and smell at the store are what you take home. Get more buying and storage tips in How to Buy and Store Strawberries to Cut Food Waste.
What to look for:
- Bright or deep red colour across the whole berry.
- Plump, firm berries that feel weighty for their size.
- Fresh-looking green caps still attached.
- A sweet, fragrant smell, which is one of the clearest signs of ripe Canadian strawberries.
- Avoid soft spots, leaking juice, mould, or berries that are still white or green at the tip.
Where possible, check labels and signage for “Product of Canada,” provincial origin (such as Foodland Ontario, BC Strawberries, or Les Fraîches du Québec logos), or local farm names, which can help identify Canadian-grown berries during the field season. U-pick farms in the Fraser Valley, southern Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada also offer some of the freshest available strawberries during peak season.
For more on planning purchases around the peak season, see Seasonal Strawberries and Your Grocery Budget in Canada.
How to Store Strawberries
Storing strawberries properly is one of the most important things Canadians can do to reduce food waste at home, because strawberries are highly perishable and can soften or develop mould within a day or two if stored incorrectly. The Foodland Ontario guidance and Health Canada’s tips on storing fruits and vegetables both emphasize keeping fresh berries refrigerated and unwashed until just before eating.
Refrigerator storage
- Store strawberries unwashed in the refrigerator, in their original ventilated container or a paper-towel-lined dish.
- Plan to use them within two to three days for best quality. Day-of purchase is best whenever possible.
- Check the package daily and remove any berries with soft spots or mould as soon as you spot them, so the rest of the package stays fresh.
- Rinse berries in cool water and remove the green tops just before serving.
Freezer storage
Frozen strawberries are excellent for smoothies, baking, oatmeal, and homemade sauces. Wash and dry the berries, remove the green caps, and slice if you wish. Spread the berries in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until firm, then transfer to a labelled freezer bag or container with the air pressed out. Properly frozen strawberries can keep for up to about 12 months.
Check out How to Store Strawberries to Cut Food Waste for more step-by-step guidance and “use-it-up” ideas for berries that are past their crispest stage.
Easy Ways to Use Strawberries
Strawberries are versatile across both fresh and cooked uses, which makes them easy to fit into everyday meals during peak season. Here are a few simple ideas:
- Top yogurt, oatmeal, cottage cheese, pancakes, or waffles with sliced fresh strawberries.
- Toss whole or halved berries into salads with spinach, goat cheese, and a simple vinaigrette, such as this barley salad with spinach and strawberries.
- Blend slightly soft berries into smoothies, which is a great way to use fruit that is past its peak for fresh eating.
- Bake strawberries into muffins, scones, shortcake, or a small crumble.
- Simmer berries into a quick stovetop sauce or chia jam to spoon over yogurt, ice cream, or toast.
- Freeze a batch at peak season to enjoy Canadian strawberries through the rest of the year.
Discover more strawberry recipes and ideas in “Easy Ways to Use Strawberries”.
Strawberry Nutrition at a Glance
Strawberries are a notable source of vitamin C and provide dietary fibre, along with smaller amounts of potassium and other vitamins and minerals. According to Health Canada, vegetables and fruits are the best sources of vitamin C, and including a variety of them each day helps Canadians meet their nutrient needs. Exact nutrient amounts vary by variety, size, and ripeness, and including strawberries as part of Canada’s Food Guide recommendation to fill half the plate with vegetables and fruits is a simple, evidence-based way to include them in a healthy diet.
For more detailed nutrient information, readers can consult Canadian nutrient databases or Health Canada resources on fruits and vegetables.
How Strawberries Are Grown in Canada
Canadian strawberry growers manage fields year-round, from planting and runner production through harvest, cooling, and transport. Strawberries are grown in fields and increasingly in greenhouses across most provinces, with growers selecting varieties suited to their region’s climate and growing season. For more on the full strawberry growing cycle, see How Do Strawberries Grow? on Canadian Food Focus.
Planting and the Growing Cycle
Strawberry plants are perennials that send out runners, which are small tendrils that develop into new plants. These runners are the main way most commercial Canadian strawberry farms produce new plants for their fields. June-bearing strawberries are typically planted directly in rows with drip irrigation, while day-neutral and everbearing varieties are often grown on raised beds covered with plastic mulch that helps manage soil temperature, reduces weeds, and keeps berries cleaner as they grow. Most commercial fields are renewed every few years to maintain productivity and plant health.
Harvest
Because strawberries bruise easily and ripen at different stages, Canadian strawberries are still picked by hand. One field can be picked many times across a season to collect the berries as they ripen. Strawberries are typically packaged directly in the field, cooled quickly to maintain quality, and shipped on refrigerated trucks. The short window between picking and the grocery store is one reason in-season Canadian strawberries can taste so different from out-of-season options.
U-pick remains an important part of Canadian strawberry culture, with farms in Quebec, Ontario, BC, and Atlantic Canada inviting visitors to pick directly during peak season.
Field and Greenhouse Production
While most Canadian strawberries are still grown outdoors, greenhouse production has expanded quickly. Statistics Canada reports that the area of Canadian greenhouses dedicated to strawberries grew from about 304,000 square metres in 2020 to nearly 840,000 square metres in 2024. Greenhouse and vertical-farm production helps Canadian-grown strawberries reach stores during the months when field-grown berries are not available.
Storage and Year-Round Availability
Unlike apples, strawberries are not suited to long-term controlled-atmosphere storage. Most fresh Canadian strawberries move from field to store within days, with the cold chain (field cooling, refrigerated transport, refrigerated retail display) doing the work of keeping them at quality. Year-round Canadian-grown availability is supported by greenhouse production rather than by storing field berries. When Canadian field strawberries are not in season, the strawberries on Canadian shelves are typically grown in Canadian greenhouses or imported, primarily from the United States and Mexico.
FAQs About Strawberries in Season in Canada
When are strawberries in season in Canada?
Field-grown strawberries are in season from roughly late May or June through October in most of Canada, with the peak in June and July. Day-neutral varieties extend availability later into the season, and greenhouse production now provides Canadian-grown strawberries year-round. For more on how June-bearing, day-neutral, and greenhouse strawberries each contribute to that window, see Canadian Strawberry Varieties: Taste, Texture and Best Uses.
When are Canadian strawberries cheapest?
Strawberries are most likely to be at their best price and quality during peak local season, generally June and July, when local supply is highest. Watching weekly flyers, U-pick options, and farmers’ market pricing can help during this window. For specific budget tactics, U-pick planning, and how to stretch a peak-season flat across the year, see Seasonal Strawberries and Your Grocery Budget in Canada.
How can I tell if a strawberry is from Canada?
Look for “Product of Canada” labels, provincial origin logos such as Foodland Ontario, BC Strawberries, or Quebec strawberry markers, or signage at farmers’ markets and farm stands. During U-pick season, you are picking directly from the source. For a breakdown of which varieties grow in which Canadian region, see Canadian Strawberry Varieties: Taste, Texture and Best Uses.
Can I freeze strawberries?
Yes. Wash, dry, hull, and freeze strawberries in a single layer on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. Frozen strawberries keep for up to about 12 months and are best used in smoothies, baking, or sauces rather than fresh. For the full step-by-step on fridge, freezer, and “use-it-up” storage, see How to Store Strawberries to Cut Food Waste. For recipe ideas using frozen berries, see Easy Ways to Use Strawberries.
Why do my strawberries go mouldy so quickly?
Strawberries are highly perishable and mould can spread quickly from one berry to the rest of the package. Storing them unwashed in a ventilated container in the fridge and removing soft or mouldy berries as soon as you spot them are the simplest ways to extend their fridge life. For more on how long strawberries last, what to do with less-perfect berries, and the simple habits that cut waste, see How to Store Strawberries to Cut Food Waste.
What is the difference between June-bearing and day-neutral strawberries?
June-bearing varieties produce one big harvest in June or early July. Day-neutral varieties produce smaller, repeated harvests from late spring through the fall. Both are grown commercially across Canada and serve different uses, with June-bearing often favoured for jam and freezing and day-neutral favoured for fresh eating throughout the summer. For specific Canadian-grown varieties in each category and a decision helper for “which one should I buy,” see Canadian Strawberry Varieties: Taste, Texture and Best Uses.
Are greenhouse strawberries Canadian?
Yes, Canadian greenhouse strawberries are grown in Canada and have become much more widely available since 2020. They are typically labelled by the producer or retailer as Canadian-grown. For more on how greenhouse production fits into the Canadian strawberry season and when to choose greenhouse over imported, see Canadian Strawberry Varieties: Taste, Texture and Best Uses.
Strawberries are a small plant of the Rose (Rosacea) family that is well adapted to North America and grows in all provinces either wild or cultivated. Strawberries grow on vines close to the ground where the plump fruits turn bright red when ripe.
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