High temperatures and a low Canadian dollar have left Quebec produce suppliers expecting a possible shortage of certain root vegetables come springtime.
George Pitsikoulis of Canadawide Fruits Inc. says that this year’s stock of carrots, onions and some other local root crops is lower than in previous years. Canadawide’s supply, which is harvested by local and regional growers in the fall and kept in cold storage through the winter, typically lasts until May. But this year, Pitsikoulis expects his company’s supply to possibly run out “a month, maybe two months” early. That could leave Canadawide short on these products as early as March.
Pitsikoulis says that weather conditions and a weaker Canadian dollar are to blame for the low supply levels. Unusually hot temperatures damaged local and regional crop yields in 2015. Meanwhile, the sinking Canadian dollar meant other markets began to gobble up Canadian produce.
“Due to the exchange factor, items from around here became a lot more attractive to those in the eastern United States.”
While supply levels are lower than Canadawide would like them, demand remains steady for the company’s root crops. “The market is stable,” notes Pitsikoulis. That means Canadawide may have to turn to outside sources to meet demand come spring.
“We’re going to be looking for other sources, whether that’s sources throughout North America or possibly Europe.”
The company, however, will wait until the winter before they start exploring their options, Pitsikoulis says, pointing out that current product levels should be taken for what they are: “early indications.”
