We are often asked if we sell any Canadian-grown nuts and seeds... The short answer is that we try to source as many Canadian products as possible, but finding locally grown nuts and seeds at competitive prices and in the required quantities is extremely difficult. While we would love to offer more Canadian-grown options, several challenges make this nearly impossible.

1. Climate Limitations

Canada’s climate presents the most significant challenge to large-scale nut and seed production. Many of the most popular nuts—such as almonds, cashews, and pistachios—thrive in warmer, dry climates with long growing seasons. Canada’s shorter summers and harsh winters make it nearly impossible to cultivate these crops commercially.

Some cold-hardy nuts, such as hazelnuts and walnuts, can grow in specific regions like Ontario and British Columbia, but production remains limited compared to larger global suppliers.

2. Limited Commercial Farming

Even for nuts and seeds that can grow in Canada, commercial production is minimal. While small farms and backyard growers may successfully harvest hazelnuts, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and even some heritage pumpkin seeds, there is a lack of large-scale infrastructure to support widespread production.

Many farmers opt for more profitable and easier-to-grow crops such as wheat, canola, and soybeans, which have well-established markets and subsidies. The investment required to develop nut orchards and large-scale seed farms is high, and without guaranteed buyers, many farmers avoid the risk.

3. Competition from International Suppliers

Canada imports the vast majority of its nuts and seeds from the United States, China, Turkey, and India, where large-scale farming operations benefit from lower production costs, labor expenses, and longer growing seasons.

For Canadian growers, competing with these established markets is tough. Importing nuts and seeds remains cheaper than growing them locally, which discourages many farmers from entering the industry.

4. Long Maturation Periods for Nut Trees

Another barrier to Canadian nut production is the long time required for trees to mature and produce a significant yield.

• Hazelnut trees take about 4–5 years to start producing nuts.

• Walnut trees may take 10+ years to reach full productivity.

• Pecan trees, though cold-hardy varieties exist, require over 10 years before they produce substantial crops.

This long wait time means farmers must invest in land and care for trees for years before seeing any return, making it a less appealing crop option.

5. Lack of Processing Infrastructure

Growing nuts and seeds is only one part of the equation. Processing facilities for shelling, roasting, and packaging nuts and seeds are limited in Canada.

Most nut processing infrastructure is concentrated in California (for almonds, walnuts, and pistachios) or Turkey (for hazelnuts). Without large-scale processing plants, Canadian-grown nuts and seeds face additional hurdles in reaching consumers.

6. Consumer Demand and Awareness

Many consumers are unaware of Canadian-grown options for nuts and seeds, leading to lower demand. Since imported options are widely available and often more affordable, retailers tend to stock foreign-grown products rather than sourcing from small-scale Canadian farms.

However, as local food movements and sustainable agriculture gain traction, more consumers are expressing interest in supporting Canadian-grown products.

Can You Buy Canadian-Grown Nuts and Seeds?

Despite these challenges, some Canadian farmers are growing nuts and seeds. You can sometimes find:

• Hazelnuts from Ontario and British Columbia.

• Walnuts and heartnuts from small-scale farms in Ontario.

• Sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds from the Prairies.

• Hemp seeds grown in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

These are often available at local farmers’ markets, specialty stores, and direct from farms.

Supporting Canadian Nut and Seed Growers

If you want to support Canadian-grown nuts and seeds, here’s what you can do:

• Look for local farms that sell directly to consumers.

• Visit farmers' markets and inquire about Canadian-grown options.

• Ask your grocery store to stock Canadian alternatives when possible.

• Be willing to pay a little more for locally grown, sustainable products.

The Future of Canadian Nut and Seed Production

With advancements in cold-hardy crop varieties and growing consumer interest in local foods, Canada may see more domestic nut and seed production in the coming years. However, due to climate, infrastructure, and economic barriers, large-scale commercial production will likely remain limited.

At U-RAAW!, we continue to seek out Canadian-grown nuts and seeds whenever possible, but for now, availability remains scarce. We encourage our customers to support Canadian growers whenever they find these products and to continue spreading awareness about the challenges of local nut and seed farming.