Education
Learn best practices for dispute prevention.
Mediation
Resolve disputes through our informal mediation process.
Arbitration
Learn step-by-step how to proceed with a claim.
The Fruit and Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation (DRC) is a non-profit, member-based organization whose core work is business-to-business private commercial dispute resolution. In other words, the DRC is a referee between parties when the purchase and sale do not go according to plan.
Our members are recognized as preferred buyers and vendors, resulting in improved business networking! You’ll also receive
- Access to our expansive member directory and up to date information on current and potential trading partners
- Greater commercial assurance
- One-on-one professional and confidential consultation
Visit our Membership page for additional benefits. All services are provided in English, French and Spanish
The Safe Food for Canadians Regulations came into force January 15, 2019.
In The News
A special message from Glenn Baty, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the DRC
Reference to “interesting times” has likely never been more relevant than today. We are living in unprecedented times of a global nature and of the sort we have only read about in history. It is appropriate and important that I add to my annual report and acknowledge the recent events that have moved world into …
DRC Reveals New Logo
During his speaking notes at CHC Banquet Reception on March 11, 2020 Fred Webber, president of the Dispute Resolution Corporation (DRC), revealed new company logo. “It is extremely fitting we kick this off with you, as CHC was instrumental in bringing the DRC into being, including lending my predecessor, Stephen Whitney, to the effort. As …
SFCR – Licensing and Traceability
The Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) is currently in force with licensing and traceability requirements in effect for many businesses in the fresh fruits or vegetables (FFV) sector. On January 15, 2020, the preventive control and preventive control plan requirements will come into force for FFV businesses that hold a Safe Food for Canadians …
Blog Updates
Membership Updates for March 15, 2023
Welcome New Members From February 15 until March 15, 2023, DRC welcomed the following new members: FRACTAL FLEX INC. QC Canada FRUVEX TRADING S DE RL DE CV (Also d/b/a Fruvex) San Luis Potosi Mexico INTERNATIONAL GOODS TRADING (A d/b/a of 14393562 Canada Inc.) ON Canada JA CANADA (A d/b/a of Jaime A. …
Fruit and Vegetable Grade Standards
As we review questions from our members, we find they often forget the published grade standards have multiple uses that serve to minimize misunderstandings. Whether you specify a grade (US#1, Canada#1, etc.) or not the standards establish a lexicon, or recognized language, for describing fruit and vegetable commodities and associated defects. This common lexicon is …
Customs Brokers’ peace of mind
Depending on a company’s knowledge of importing or exporting goods, having an in-house expert or outsourcing service for clearing goods across borders is essential. A customs broker provides assurance that the goods to be imported or exported will comply with the necessary documentation and customs declarations. Whether you are just starting your import/export business or …
Private Inspections and DRC Members obligations
DRC Trading Assistance staff continue to see the use of private inspections to demonstrate that a commodity fails to meet contract terms or DRC Good Arrival Guidelines. There is nothing wrong with sellers and buyers agreeing to have a private survey performed, but we would like to remind DRC members that, in the US and …
Membership Updates for February 15, 2023
Welcome New Members From January 15 until February 15, 2023, DRC welcomed the following new members: ALGCAN IMPORT INC. QC Canada BEST FRESH PRODUCE INC. BC Canada CALGARY WHOLESALE CASH AND CARRY INC. AB Canada CAMPAÑA AGRICULTORES S. DE R.L. DE C.V. (También haciendo negocios como Agricola Campaña) Sinaloa Mexico DALEY FARM FRESH …
Implications of not honouring an arbitration award
Most disputes between members are resolved with the help of DRC Trading Assistance Staff during the informal mediation process. Some disputes, however, end up in the arbitration, where an arbitrator is appointed to make a final and binding decision. An arbitrator reaches a determination based on the information presented to them by the parties. The …
ASSIST Moves to CFIA Shipment Tracker for Food, Plant and Animal
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has (CFIA) updated the Automated Shipment Inspection Status Search Tool (ASSIST) with an enhanced tool called the CFIA Shipment Tracker for Food, Plant and Animal products. Starting December 15, 2022, this tool will allow importers to check the status of any food, plant or animal import declared electronically in real-time. …
Membership Updates for January 15, 2023
Welcome New Members From December 15 until January 15, 2023, DRC welcomed the following new members: 9361-0954 QUÉBEC INC. QC Canada AGRE FRESH INC. QC Canada ALBORZ VIEW INC. ON Canada ARROW INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE INC. ON Canada BETTER WORLD IMPORT EXPORT AND DISTRIBUTION INC. BC Canada COOPERATIVE AGRICOLE COPAG Taroudant Morocco DEMILLE’S FARM …
Addition of “Commercial Unit” definition to Trading Standards
As DRC expands its jurisdiction beyond North America, it is important to include terms and definitions that DRC Members, DRC Trading Assistance Staff and Arbitrators can use as reference. Adding the “Commercial Unit” term and definition to our Trading Standards allows DRC Members, Trading Assistance Staff and Arbitrators to look no further than our Trading …
Membership Renewal 2023
Membership renewal invoices to cover the period January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023, were emailed out on November 16, 2022 to most of our members. Please note some members may have a different anniversary date depending on when they joined the DRC. A quick check of your records online at the DRC’s members portal …
Happy Holidays & DRC Holiday Hours
WISHING YOU ALL THE BEST THIS HOLIDAY SEASON The DRC office will be closed Monday December 25 to Wednesday December 28, 2022, inclusively. Our office will also be closed Monday January 02, 2023. The DRC Help Desk will remain available Thursday December 29th, and Friday December 30th at: DRC Help Desk | …
Membership Updates for November 15, 2022
Welcome New Members From October 15 until November 15, 2022, DRC welcomed the following new members: ALIMENTS ZAYNAB INC. QC Canada BOVA FRESH LLC. FL Canada FRESH MAKERS LTD. BC Canada HUI DRAGON TRADE LTD. (Also d/b/a Huidragon Logistics) ON Canada LLERO’S TRADING LTD. ON Canada MOONSHINE MAMA’S KITCHENS LTD. (Also d/b/a Moonshine …
Broker Payment: Who pays who?
Broker is the term often used by fruit and vegetable dealers to describe a person or entity that conducts a variety of commercial activities. A true broker’s (see definition below) DRC role is to facilitate good faith negotiations between parties which leads to a valid and binding contract. After the broker has helped the …
Membership Updates for October 15, 2022
Welcome New Members From September 15 until October 15, 2022, DRC welcomed the following new members: A & P FRUIT GROWERS LTD. BC Canada DRK IMPEX INC. (Also d/b/a DRK Impex) ON Canada HOOVU CANADA INC. AB Canada KAPI KAPI GROWERS INC. FL United States PULPAAMERICA (Faisant également affaire sous 9338-4097 Québec Inc.) …
Meeting of the minds and burden of proof
When engaging in a business deal in the produce industry, we understand that most of the time this is done over the phone, where important details of the transaction such as the terms of the contract (FOB, Delivered, CIF, Fixed price, consignment, P.A.S., etc.) and the product description (e.g., quality grade, no grade-Good Delivery/Good Arrival, …
Meet us at Fruit Attraction and The Global Produce & Floral Show!
DRC representatives will be at Fruit Attraction in Madrid, Spain on October 4-6, 2022 and at The Global Produce & Floral Show in Orlando, Florida on October 27-29, 2022. This will be DRC’s fourth visit to Fruit Attraction and a comeback to what was formerly known as PMA’s Fresh Summit Convention. With members located …
A PACA-like Trust for Canada; Bill C-280 – the Financial Protection for Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Farmers Act
Bill C-280, the Financial Protection for Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Farmers Act, was introduced by Member of Parliament Scot Davidson in the House of Commons back in June. This important piece of legislation would establish a critical financial protection mechanism for fresh produce sellers in Canada in the case of buyer bankruptcy, which would also …
Is it possible for a receiver/buyer to reject a portion of a distressed shipment?
Although a receiver/buyer decides whether to accept or reject a load that allegedly fails to comply with the sales agreement, buyers should be forewarned against accepting some portions of a shipment while rejecting others unless the parties agree otherwise specifically in writing. The Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) gives straightforward guidance and defines ‘Commercial Unit’ …
Membership Updates for September 15, 2022
Welcome New Members From August 15 until September 15, 2022, DRC welcomed the following new members: ALEXINGREDIENTS INC. QC Canada AVOCAST S.P.R. DE R.L. Nayarit Mexico F.A. INTERNATIONAL INC. ON Canada FOROS FRESH PRODUCE CORP. FL United States FRESH PRODUCE WHOLESALE (A d/b/a of 12038366 Canada Inc.) ON Canada GD PRODUCE (A d/b/a …
Conditions for Maintaining DRC Membership
The DRC by-laws and operating rules contribute to confidence in the fresh fruit and vegetable trading environment. DRC members subscribe to a common set of trading and transportation standards, and membership responsibilities that promote fair and ethical trading of produce. There are certain requirements that DRC members must meet to maintain membership in the DRC. …
Membership Updates for August 15, 2022
Welcome New Members From July 15 until August 15, 2022, DRC welcomed the following new members: 2735795 ONTARIO INC. ON Canada DAILY SEAFOOD INC. ON Canada DANEX FOODS (A d/b/a of 10117374 Canada Inc.) QC Canada F.A. INTERNATIONAL INC. ON Canada FRESH & CLASSY PRODUCTS INC. ON Canada GREEN MEADOW ACRES INC. PE …
DRC Help Desk: your go to resource
DRC’s Help Desk, with services in English, French and Spanish, is your “go to” resource for timely and informed assistance on a wide range of produce trade-related matters. The most frequent and common inquiries pertain to: Government Inspections (CFIA or USDA) DRC Good Arrival Guidelines Tolerances Does product meet or fail grade? Non-payment Disagreement over …
An inspection is requested in a timely manner, but not performed in a timely manner
DRC’s Trading Assistance Staff recently handled a consultation from a receiver regarding an FOB transaction where a government inspection was requested on the same day the load arrived. The load arrived on a Friday afternoon, and the inspector arrived on Monday morning to perform the inspection. The inspection results indicated the product failed to meet …
