Les Producteurs de pommes du Québec

What Les Producteurs de pommes du Québec does

Les Producteurs de pommes du Québec (PPQ) is a professional syndicate (syndicat professionnel) representing 416 apple growers across Quebec, operating under the Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA) umbrella from a 7-person headquarters in Longueuil. The organization exists to coordinate promotion, quality assurance, and market access for its members, functioning as a trade association rather than a commercial operator. Its production base generates approximately $80 million CAD in farm-gate revenue annually from 235 million pounds of apples (88M lb fresh, 84M lb processed), representing about 26% of Canadian apple production, with Quebec-origin apples holding roughly a 50% share of the province's grocery market.

The syndicate's core commercial asset is the Pommes Qualité Québec certification program, under which unannounced inspectors verify more than 1,800 lots (~2,000 tons) of apples per year at every Quebec packing facility, with the certified logo appearing on bags and stickers in grocery stores. This quality regime is paired with Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage infrastructure used by members to keep four core varieties (McIntosh, Cortland, Empire, Spartan) available year-round. Beyond grocery, the organization maintains a directory of more than 100 orchards offering U-pick experiences and farm-stand sales, plus a digital portal (lapommeduquebec.ca) that aggregates varieties, recipes, and educational content. Distribution flows through U-pick, farm stands, grocery retailers carrying the certified label, farmers' markets, and processing outlets including Cidre du Québec cider producers.

Revenue mechanics for the syndicate itself rely on member dues and certification/marketing program fees, with marketing campaigns (Cuisine ta pomme, Cueille ta pomme) funded in part by MAPAQ under the Initiative ministérielle Proximité 2024-2026. Strategic partnerships span the Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA), the Association des emballeurs de pommes du Québec (AEPQ) on certification, Fondation Olo on food security, the Quebec Breakfast Club on annual apple donations (250,000 apples since 2002), and brand collaborations with agencies and influencers such as lg2 and Bob le Chef. The organization is governed by an elected grower leadership under President Éric Rochon, with General Director Jérôme-Antoine Brunelle and Vice-President Sébastien Morissette.

Name

Les Producteurs de pommes du Québec

Legal name

Les Producteurs de pommes du Québec

Website

https://lapommeduquebec.ca

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Les Producteurs de pommes du Québec is a non-profit professional syndicate representing 416 apple growers in Quebec, operating the Pommes Qualité Québec certification program and promoting Quebec apples through grocery retail, 100+ U-pick orchards, and consumer marketing campaigns.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Producer Association & Apple Quality Certification Services

NAICS

Apple Orchards (111331)

akta.pro primary industry

Pome Fruit Orchards (Apples, Pears, Quinces) (AFAGACAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Accreditation & Oversight Bodies for Food Safety Certification (ABs/Scheme Owners) (AFALACAB)

Keywords

• Apple producer association
• Quality certification program
• Orchard directory services
• Agricultural collective marketing
• Quebec apple industry

Headquarters

HQ city

Longueuil

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Apple Production Sales: Members (apple growers) generate revenue through selling apples via multiple channels: direct farm sales (U-pick, farm stands), wholesale to grocery retailers, and processing (cider, juice, preserves). Production generates approximately $80 million in farm revenues annually for the 2023-2024 season.
2. Marketing and Certification Fees: The organization funds marketing activities through member dues and promotional program fees. The Pommes Qualité Québec brand certification creates market differentiation that supports premium pricing for certified apples sold in grocery stores.
3. Agritourism Revenue: Over 100 orchards across Quebec offer U-pick experiences, farm stand sales, and agrotourism activities generating additional revenue for member growers.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Les Producteurs de pommes du Québec is a professional syndicate that collectively markets, certifies, and promotes Quebec apples on behalf of approximately 416 member growers. Its core offering is the Pommes Qualité Québec quality certification and inspection program, which ensures that Quebec-grown apples sold in grocery stores meet rigorous standards through unannounced facility inspections. The organization also operates a digital portal with an orchard directory, apple variety guide, recipes, and educational materials, and runs seasonal consumer campaigns to drive local apple consumption.

Product overview

Les Producteurs de pommes du Québec operates as an agricultural producers' organization representing Quebec apple growers, offering a portfolio of products and services centered on the Pommes Qualité Québec certification sub-brand. The core offering includes the quality certification program for inspected, traced Quebec apples sold year-round in grocery stores, complemented by the Autocueillette (U-pick) directory connecting consumers with over 100 orchards across 15 Quebec regions. Supporting services include the lapommeduquebec.ca digital portal providing variety information, recipes, and educational materials, along with marketing campaigns (Cuisine ta pomme, Cueille ta pomme) promoting year-round and seasonal apple consumption. Community initiatives include partnerships with the Quebec Breakfast Club and Olo Foundation providing apples to families in need.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pommes Qualité Québec Certification Program
• Autocueillette (U-Pick) Orchard Directory
• lapommeduquebec.ca Consumer Portal
• Apple Variety Catalog
• Quebec Apple Recipe Collection
• Educational Materials for Schools
• Photo Bank Service
• Cuisine ta pomme Campaign
• Cueille ta pomme Campaign

Quantifiable outcome

• 235 million pounds (5.6 million minots) produced annually generating $80 million in farm revenues
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fondation OlocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 September 2025Partnership to provide Pommes Qualité Québec apples free of charge through Olo postnatal follow-up program supporting vulnerable families. Apples become the 5th food in the postnatal offer alongside bread, meat purées, baby cereals, and tofu. Government (Quebec) is the leading financial partner for this initiative.
• Mangeons local / UPAcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 August 2025Partnership to promote local food sourcing through the Mangeons local platform and application, helping consumers locate farms, markets and processors selling directly to the public. Campaign 'Cueille ta pomme' co-promoted.
• Indigo SodaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 December 2023Collaboration to create the 'Pomme-tini' cocktail featuring Quebec apples and Indigo Soda products. Local alternative for CO2 cylinders with over 800 exchange points through 'Bulles d'ici' program.
• lg2coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 January 2020Creative agency partnership for 2020 Pommes Qualité Québec marketing campaign. Campaign broadcast on web, social networks and television featuring short vignettes highlighting grower dedication and quality standards.
• Club des petits déjeuners du QuébeccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 2002, Pommes Qualité Québec has donated 250,000 apples annually to the Breakfast Club supporting approximately 300 schools with 21,000 children receiving nutritious breakfasts before class.
• Mouvement j'aime les fruits et légumesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership to promote fruit and vegetable consumption following the '5 to 10 servings a day' campaign. Association-wide initiative with government participation to improve Quebec population health.
• Dindon du QuébecminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint promotion featuring recipes combining Quebec turkey and Quebec apples. Created by K pour Katrine for Easter campaign, including meatballs with apple sauce, fennel-apple-turkey salad, and turkey casserole with tomatoes and apples.
• Association des emballeurs de pommes du Québec (AEPQ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with apple packers to operate the Pommes Qualité Québec quality certification program. Inspectors visit all packing facilities for unannounced quality inspections ensuring consistent standards.
• Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLes Producteurs de pommes du Québec operates under the UPA umbrella organization. Data protection policy references agreement with UPA for collection of personal information under Professional Syndicates Act.
• DesjardinsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDesjardins presents the Mangeons local application, a technology tool developed by UPA to help consumers locate farms, markets and processors in Quebec selling directly to the public.
• Mangez QuébecminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCampaign by Association des producteurs maraîchers du Québec raising public awareness about eating Quebec fruits and vegetables. Spokesperson Isabelle Huot visited Pomi to learn about apple growing.
• Cidre du QuébecminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership for anti-waste initiative and cider production using Quebec apples. Collaboration on consumer education about apple varieties and uses.
• Industries LassondeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in anti-waste booklet initiative and apple product processing.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• USApple Association: National U.S. apple industry association for advocacy, research, and consumer promotion. Comparable as a higher-tier industry association, though operating at a national rather than provincial scale.
• Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA): Quebec's overarching agricultural producer federation under which PPQ operates. A broader incumbent providing governance, advocacy, and shared services to PPQ.
• Washington State Fruit Commission (Washington Apple Commission): State-funded apple marketing and research commission handling a much larger crop with international export programs. Comparable as a state-level apple marketing body but operating at greater scale and export orientation.
• Aliments du Québec: Provincial food certification and promotion body that grants the 'Aliments du Québec' logo. Comparable as a Quebec food-origin certification scheme with which Pommes Qualité Québec interoperates.
• Fruits et Légumes du Québec: Broader Quebec produce marketing association covering fruits and vegetables beyond apples. Comparable as a regional produce-promotion body with overlapping marketing campaigns and government partnerships.

Direct peers

• Michigan Apple Committee: State checkoff-funded marketing board for Michigan apple growers. Directly comparable in operating model and member-funded marketing approach.
• New York Apple Association: State-level apple marketing and promotion association in a major U.S. producing state. Directly comparable to PPQ in mandate (marketing, promotion, grower support) and structure.
• Ontario Apple Growers: Provincial apple grower marketing board in Canada's largest apple-producing province, performing near-identical functions: marketing, research, and grower advocacy. Directly comparable in mandate and structure to PPQ.
• Nova Scotia Fruit Growers' Association: Regional association for Nova Scotia apple and tree-fruit growers with marketing and quality programs. Comparable mandate to PPQ at a smaller scale.
• BC Fruit Growers' Association: Represents tree-fruit growers in British Columbia with similar marketing, advocacy, and grower-support services. Directly comparable as a Canadian provincial fruit-grower association.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/les-producteurs-de-pommes-du-qu-bec

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Les Producteurs de pommes du Québec