Metro Ontario has had to stop all operations at its Frozen Distribution Centre in Toronto. The shutdown came September 12 after a refrigeration system problem left the facility unable to run.
The site plays a key role for frozen supply in Ontario. But Metro moved fast with a backup plan. Metro and Food Basics stores stayed open and stocked, customers didn’t face empty freezers.
Right now, the exact cause is still under check. Engineers are working but no timeline yet for restart. Rerouting frozen shipments is buying time, though it’s not the same as normal flow.
The company says progress is being made on keeping impact down. But the fact remains, with no set date, uncertainty hangs over the frozen chain. For retailers, refrigeration is a weak spot — once it fails, everything from transport to store shelf resets gets hit.
Keeping the backup plan running is costly too. Metro already flagged it will show as non-recurring costs in Q4 2025, which ends September 27. And it will spill into Q1 2026. Extra transport, storage and handling are all adding to the bill.
From a supply view, the Frozen Distribution Centre is a central hub. When it stops, the pressure spreads to suppliers, distributors, franchise owners. It’s a reminder how little margin there is when cold storage fails.
Metro Inc. overall is still a giant in Canadian retail. Annual sales top $21 billion. Staff count goes over 97,000. Store banners reach 995 in food — Metro, Metro Plus, Super C, Food Basics, Adonis, Première Moisson. Pharmacy adds another 640 stores, from Jean Coutu to Brunet, Metro Pharmacy and Food Basics Pharmacy.
The company hasn’t given a clear date for when the centre will be back online. Updates will follow as the investigation runs its course.
For the industry, this case underlines how fragile frozen logistics really are. Retailers and suppliers alike need contingency plans ready. Metro Ontario Frozen Distribution Centre operations stopped, and the chain is still working through the fallout.
