Maritimers could see different kinds of meat, strawberries on shelves this summer
Many Maritimers are getting their barbecues ready for the summer season, but they could be using different kinds of food for their weekend parties and cabin getaways this year.
Dalhousie University’s Agri-Food Analytics Lab director Sylvain Charlebois spoke with CTV News Atlantic’s Todd Battis about the incoming barbecue season during an interview on Wednesday. Charlebois noted issues in the Canadian meat industry could result in different beef sources appearing on grocery store shelves.
“There’s a strike affecting the largest processing plant in Guelph (and) another strike could happen in Calgary,” Charlebois said. “Grocers may go south to get beef. You may have something to grill, but it might not be Canadian.”
Charlebois said grocers could turn to Mexico to supply beef. He notes Mexican beef is not graded, like Canadian meat which does not mean it’s inedible or unsafe.
“The quality is unknown,” he said. “I’d think about stews with Mexican beef, not the barbecue. It’s not as tender.”
Barbecues are main fixtures for Maritimers in the summer. Charlebois and his team recently conducted a survey that found New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are the number one and three provinces, respectively, when it comes to barbecue intensity.
“I think it has to do with the weather,” he said. “The window of opportunity is small. It’s not always a joy to go out and barbecue in the winter so in the summer we take advantage of it.”
Charlebois also notes how Maritimers could see differently-sourced strawberries this season, noting California’s bumper crop making its way into Canada.
“They’re exporting $60 million worth of strawberries,” he said. “Farmers will be against stiff competition. Strawberries from California don’t taste the same as strawberries here. To be wise, Superstore and Sobeys will probably carry both.
“All of us will be faced with a local dilemma. Either go with the cheaper ones that don’t taste the same or get the more expensive ones that actually do taste like something.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6974342.1721750853!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Edmonton gas station employee found guilty of terrorism charges in the U.K.
An Edmonton man has been convicted of multiple charges under the Terrorism Act in the United Kingdom.
Quebec mom devastated after man who killed her daughter in hit-and-run gets out after 5 months
A Montreal-area mother is furious with Quebec's justice system because the man who killed her 25-year-old daughter in a 2022 hit-and-run was released from jail after only serving one-sixth of his sentence behind bars.
BREAKING U.S. Secret Service director resigns after Trump assassination attempt
The director of the Secret Service is stepping down from her job, according to an email she sent to staff, following the assassination attempt against former U.S. president Donald Trump that unleashed intensifying outcry about how the agency tasked with protecting current and former presidents could fail in its core mission.
Waterloo, Ont. woman out thousands for car totalled by stolen hit-and-run driver
A woman in Waterloo, Ont. is out thousands of dollars for a car crash she wasn’t involved in.
BREAKING Polar bear at Calgary Zoo died by drowning following 'crushing' injury
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo has revealed the cause of death for polar bear Baffin.
DEVELOPING Wildfire near Jasper National Park prompts evacuation order and highway closures
Multiple wildfires in Jasper National Park flared up with a vengeance late Monday night, forcing all park visitors along with the 4,700 residents of the Jasper townsite to flee west with little notice over mountain roads through darkness, soot, and ash.
Do you need a lawyer when making a will in Canada?
Many people believe that creating a will requires the services of a lawyer, but this isn't always the case. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew explains a lawyer's role when crafting your last will and testament.
BREAKING Biden to speak Wednesday about his decision to drop 2024 re-election bid
U.S. President Joe Biden will address the nation from the Oval Office on Wednesday evening on his decision to drop his 2024 Democratic reelection bid.
What Canadians should know about a possible Kamala Harris U.S. presidency
Observers expect Kamala Harris to follow U.S. President Joe Biden’s roadmap for America’s relationship with Canada as she moves to secure the Democratic party's presidential nomination.