Canada tightens proof of origin rules for pistachio imports amid salmonella outbreak

Canadian authorities have tightened proof of origin rules for pistachio nut imports, a move that could create a gap in the market for producers of a food that has become increasingly popular in recent years.

Canada is in the middle of a significant salmonella outbreak linked to pistachio nuts, with over 100 lab cases confirmed and numerous product recalls announced. The import of pistachio nuts – and pistachio-containing goods – from the suspected source of the outbreak has been temporarily banned “as a precautionary measure”, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

As part of the ban, Canada is tightening requirements on documentation relating to the provenance of pistachios.

According to the CFIA, importers of pistachios and pistachio containing products must provide proof that the products are not from the suspected centre of the outbreak. “Shipments will be subjected to a hold and test for salmonella or refused entry if importers do not provide this proof,” it says.

Safety first, and a desire for quality

Canada’s restriction on pistachio imports creates a potential opportunity for pistachio growers from other parts of the world unaffected by the ban to expand their presence in a major North American economy.

Recent years, for instance, have seen Spain expand its pistachio sector, which is mostly concentrated in Castile–La Mancha.

In 2023, a market update from the Dutch government noted that Spain had expanded “pistachio production significantly”, adding that the planted area for pistachio trees had hit roughly 50,000 hectares.

Thanks to strict health and safety standards and a reputation for quality – a significant chunk of Spanish firms grow organic pistachios – EU producers are well-placed to establish a foothold in markets like Canada, especially given the latter’s desire for evidence about provenance. 

Trade ties between the EU and Canada are strong thanks to the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), and the EU is Canada’s second-largest trading partner, according to the Canadian government.