What Courchesne Larose does

Courchesne Larose Ltée, headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, is a fourth-generation family-owned importer and wholesale distributor of fresh fruits and vegetables founded in 1918 and exclusively held by the Routhier family since 1959. The company sources produce internationally and from Canadian growers, then distributes to grocery chains, independent food retailers, food-service operators, and emergency-procurement customers across Quebec, Ontario, Atlantic Canada, and the Eastern United States through a Direct Store Delivery (DSD) model supported by an owned truck fleet and a floor-sales operation at Montréal's Marché Central. The core technology stack is a vertically integrated cold-chain: NASA-derived AiroCide air purification to extend shelf life, CO2 refrigeration with computer-calibrated temperature/humidity control, Roadnet route optimization on 100% of the fleet, and purpose-built loading docks that preserve the cold chain during loading.

The group operates as a holding of specialized subsidiaries rather than a single platform: KROPS (international import), Les Aliments Bercy (organic produce and value-added processing), La Paysanne (emergency grocery supply), Transport Dynapro (logistics, including the 2023 Transport TEB acquisition), Emballages Marcan (packaging and warehousing), Jus Loop/LOOP Mission (cold-pressed juice from unsold produce), Green Earth Produce Trading (US organic distribution), and — added in 2024 and 2026 respectively — Veg-Pak Produce (Ontario) and Star Group of Companies (Western Canada, 13 facilities, 850+ employees). The company makes money primarily through wholesale/transaction-based pricing on bulk produce (90% of volume sold unpackaged), supplemented by processing, packaging, transport, and juice-product revenue. In 2022, Sagard Private Equity Canada took a major business-partner stake to support a stated Canada-wide-leader strategy, and in 2023 Michael Aucoin joined as the first non-family CEO. Certifications include Ecocert Level 2 Eco-Responsible, SQF Level 2, Fairtrade, and Ecocert Organic, and the group files a Bill S-211 supply-chain transparency report.

Name

Courchesne Larose

Legal name

Courchesne Larose Ltée

Website

https://courchesnelarose.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1918

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Courchesne Larose is a fourth-generation, family-owned Montreal-based importer and wholesale distributor of fresh fruits and vegetables, serving grocery retailers, food-service operators, and emergency-procurement customers across Canada and the Eastern United States through an owned cold-chain, DSD fleet, and a national network of distribution subsidiaries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fresh Produce Distribution

NAICS

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Merchant Wholesalers (424480), Other Grocery and Related Products Merchant Wholesalers (42449)

SIC

Wholesale-Groceries & Related Products (5140), Wholesale-Groceries, General Line (5141)

akta.pro primary industry

Fresh Produce Wholesale (Fruit & Vegetables) (AFAIABAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Import/Export Broadline Foodservice Distributors (AFAIAAAH), Fresh Fruit Wholesale (AFAIACAA)

Keywords

• Fresh produce distribution
• Fruit vegetable wholesale
• Cold chain logistics
• Import export produce
• Food service supply

Headquarters

HQ city

Montreal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Fresh Produce Wholesale Distribution: Import and distribute fresh fruits and vegetables from international and local sources to clients across Eastern Canada and the Eastern United States. Products sold in bulk (90%) with some packaged options.
2. Import Services: Expertise in international farming and global market operations, providing year-round reliable supply of superior-quality produce through established supplier relationships.
3. Export Services: Promotes Quebec-grown products to American consumers by exporting locally-sourced fruits and vegetables to the Eastern United States.
4. Processing and Packaging: Value-added processing and packaging services through subsidiaries including Les Aliments Bercy (organic), Marcan Packaging, and Jus Loop (juice processing).

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Courchesne Larose is an international importer and wholesale distributor of fresh fruits and vegetables, sourcing from global and local suppliers and distributing to grocery stores, food retailers, and food service operators across Eastern Canada and the Eastern United States. The company operates owned warehouses, a fleet of refrigerated delivery trucks, and a group of specialized subsidiaries handling organic produce, processing, packaging, transportation, and emergency supply services.

Product overview

Courchesne Larose is a fourth-generation family-owned fresh fruit and vegetable distribution company founded in 1918, headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. The company operates as a group of subsidiaries rather than a single unified product platform. The core business involves importing and distributing fresh produce across Canada and the United States. The group's portfolio includes: KROPS (international import and distribution), Les Aliments Bercy (organic products and processing), La Paysanne (emergency grocery supplies), Dynapro Transport (logistics and transportation), Marcan Packaging (food handling and packaging), Veg-Pak Produce (Ontario value-added processing), Star Group (Western Canadian distribution), and Jus Loop/Loop Mission (juice processing from ripe produce). The company also operates Direct Store Delivery (DSD) services, advanced cold chain technology including AiroCide air purification, and CO2-based refrigeration systems. The group employs approximately 500 workers in Eastern Canada with over 850 more through the Star Group partnership.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KROPS: Import and distribution of top-quality products from abroad, offering suppliers extensive visibility in Canada.
• Les Aliments Bercy
• La Paysanne
• Dynapro Transport
• Marcan Packaging
• Veg-Pak Produce
• Star Group
• LOOP Mission

Products and services

• Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Distribution Import and wholesale distribution of fresh fruits and vegetables from international and local sources to grocery stores, food retailers, and food service operators across Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and the Eastern United States. Operates warehouses totaling over 320,000 sq. ft. in the Montreal area.
• KROPS Import and Distribution Services Import and distribution of top-quality fresh produce from international suppliers, offering suppliers extensive visibility in Canada. Originally created as Bar Imex International in 2002.
• Les Aliments Bercy Organic and Value-Added Products Organic fresh fruits and vegetables and processing/packaging of value-added conventional and organic products for retail and wholesale customers.
• La Paysanne Emergency Produce Supply Fruit and vegetable wholesaler founded in 1998, specializing in emergency supplies for grocery stores requiring urgent procurement and quick turnaround.
• Dynapro Transport Services Professional transportation of fruits, vegetables, and dry goods, with fleet tracking technology and remote temperature management. Has begun adoption of electric technology for transport fleet.
• Marcan Packaging Services Subcontracting of packaging, sorting, warehousing, and value-added handling of food products for food industry customers.
• Jus Loop / Loop Mission Cold-Pressed Juices Cold-pressed juice products processed from ripe Courchesne Larose fruits and vegetables, reducing food waste by approximately 1,100 tonnes per year. Pulp is recycled into dog treats.
• Veg-Pak Produce Wholesaling and Processing Ontario-based value-added wholesaler and processor of fresh produce, serving customers since 1943 with commitment to quality and innovation.
• Star Group Western Canadian Distribution Western Canadian fresh produce distribution based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, with over 35 years of history, strong national presence, and recognized grower-direct programs.
• Green Earth Produce Trading (US Organic Distribution) Division specializing in the sale and distribution of organic fresh produce products in the United States market.

Quantifiable outcome

• 72,300 boxes (~1,100 tonnes) of unsold produce processed annually through Jus Loop
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Star Group of CompaniescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 June 2026Strategic partnership with Western Canadian fresh produce distributor based in Saskatoon with over 35 years of history. Partnership adds more than 850 employees and 13 facilities, strengthening combined national reach and operational footprint across Canada and the United States. Both companies maintain existing identities and operating approaches while pursuing long-term growth ambitions together.
• Veg-Pak ProducecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Ontario-based value-added wholesaler and processor of fresh produce since 1943. Partnership expands Courchesne Larose into Ontario market. Known for commitment to quality and innovation, serving diverse customers across the region.
• La Paysanne Fruits et Légumes Inc.coreOthers · 1 January 2014Founded in 1998, fruit and vegetable wholesaler specializing in emergency supplies for grocery stores. Member of Courchesne Larose group since 2014.
• Krops ImportscoreOthersSubsidiary offering suppliers extensive visibility in Canada and professionally overseeing import and distribution of top-quality products from abroad.
• Les Aliments Bercy Inc.coreOthersSubsidiary specializing in organic fruits and vegetables and processing conventional and organic produce into value-added products.
• Transport Dynapro Inc.coreOthersFounded in 2003, professional transportation of fruits, vegetables and dry goods. Uses latest technologies for equipment tracking and remote temperature management. Shifting towards electric technology adoption.
• Emballages Marcan Inc.coreOthersSubsidiary specializing in subcontracting of packaging, sorting, warehousing and value-added handling of food products.
• Jus Loop (Loop Mission)minorOthersSubsidiary processing unsold Courchesne Larose fruits and vegetables into cold-pressed juices, reducing food waste and creating value-added products.
• Green Earth Produce TradingminorOthersDivision specializing in sale and distribution of organic products in the United States, launched in 2007.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Dole plc: Global fresh produce grower-marketer-distributor with established North American distribution. Comparable in international sourcing, ripening capabilities, and retail relationships, though Dole is far more vertically integrated into farming.
• US Foods: Major US broadline foodservice distributor with significant fresh produce distribution operations. Comparable in B2B distribution scale, route-based DSD model, and broad customer base across retail and foodservice.
• C.H. Robinson Worldwide: Major North American 3PL and produce logistics provider handling temperature-controlled freight, sourcing and category management for fresh produce. Comparable in the supply-chain and cold-chain transport layer serving similar retail customers.
• Fresh Del Monte Produce: Vertically integrated global producer, transporter and distributor of fresh fruits and vegetables. Comparable in international sourcing, ripening and cold-chain distribution, though it is significantly larger and operates its own growing operations.
• Sysco Corporation: Largest North American broadline foodservice distributor with extensive fresh produce capabilities. Comparable as a wholesale distribution platform serving grocery and foodservice customers through large-scale cold-chain infrastructure.
• Gordon Food Service: Canada-headquartered broadline foodservice distributor serving restaurants and institutions across North America. Comparable in distribution scale, cold-chain logistics, and Canadian footprint, though it is far broader in product categories beyond fresh produce.

Direct peers

• KeHE Distributors: Specialty and fresh foodservice distributor in North America with strong organic and natural product portfolio. Comparable in B2B distribution to retailers and food service, with overlap on organic/fairtrade certification-driven positioning.
• Oppy: BC-based grower, marketer and distributor of fresh fruits and vegetables across North America. Highly comparable in business model — international sourcing, ripening, cold-chain distribution, and national reach — making it the most direct competitor to Courchesne Larose.

Emerging players

• Windset Farms: Canadian greenhouse produce grower-marketer distributing across North America. Comparable in the Canadian fresh produce supply chain and in supplying retail grocers with branded produce, though focused specifically on greenhouse-grown categories.

Regional players

• Bonduelle Group: French-headquartered global producer and marketer of fresh and processed vegetables with growing North American presence. Comparable as a vertically integrated produce processor-distributor with similar sustainability and value-added product positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A2 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Courchesne Larose