N.S. strawberry growers might bear brunt of berry bumper crop south of the border
The strawberries aren't ready yet, but they’re getting there.
“We’re about 10 days away from picking this field,” says Nova Scotia farmer William Spurr.
Strawberry farmers like Spurr could be facing competition on the supermarket shelves this season.
“It’s very rare that you see farmers, our farmers, competing against imported strawberries at the same time,” says Sylvain Charlebois, head of Dalhousie University’s analytics lab.
The reason is simple: some American growers have too many berries on their hands.
“Right now, California has had a bumper crop. They exported over $60 million worth of strawberries, a lot of it is coming to Canada,” Charlebois says.
An abundant supply typically means lower prices. Charlebois says the cost of living may push consumers toward the cheaper berry and away from the local product.
A Nova Scotia strawberry field is pictured. (Jonathan MacInnis/CTV Atlantic)
“Right now food inflation is a big issue for a lot of people. The reality is that a lot of people just can’t afford some of these berries, so they’ll go to the local grocery store and buy the cheapest berries they can,” he says/
“It might affect the price, but it really depends a lot on the grocery stores. If the grocery stores bring a lot of berries, then it will affect us,” says Spurr.
Spurr grows strawberries on two acres on his farm in Wilmot, Nova Scotia, and he recently planted a third. He sees one advantage local berries have over all the rest.
“The berries here are fresh and that’s the biggest factor is that you get the flavor,” he says.
A flower in Nova Scotia is pictured. (Jonathan MacInnis/CTV Atlantic)
Spurr is also the president of Horticulture Nova Scotia and he notes imported berries don't ripen on the plant.
“We are picking them completely ripe. When you’re getting a berry from California they’re not ripe 100 per cent. They ripen at the time that they get here so the flavour is not quite there,” he says.
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre suggests Trudeau is too weak to engage with Trump, Ford won't go there
While federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has taken aim at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this week, calling him too 'weak' to engage with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, Ontario Premier Doug Ford declined to echo the characterization in an exclusive Canadian broadcast interview set to air this Sunday on CTV's Question Period.
Man who died trying to help stranded motorist identified as Khalid Farooq, father of 5
The man who lost his life trying to help a stranded motorist Wednesday has been identified as Khalid Farooq.
W5 Investigates 'I never took part in beheadings': Canadian ISIS sniper has warning about future of terror group
An admitted Canadian ISIS sniper held in one of northeast Syria’s highest-security prisons has issued a stark warning about the potential resurgence of the terror group.
Great Lakes, Plains and Midwest forecast to be hit with snow and dangerous cold into next week
The first big snow of the season threatened to bury towns in New York along lakes Erie and Ontario during a hectic holiday travel and shopping weekend, while winter storm conditions could persist into next week and cause hazards in the Great Lakes, Plains and Midwest regions.
Are scented candles bad for you? What the science says
Concerns about the safety of candles are rooted in the chemical reactions that occur when you burn them, as well as in the artificial fragrances and colorants that contribute to the various scents you may love.
Trudeau talks border, trade in surprise dinner with Trump at Mar-a-Lago
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau discussed border security and trade during a surprise dinner with U.S.-president elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in West Palm Beach, Fla. on Friday evening, according to senior government sources.
North Korea's Kim vows steadfast support for Russia’s war in Ukraine
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed his country will “invariably support” Russia’s war in Ukraine as he met Russia's defense chief, state media reported.
Montreal researchers make breakthrough discovery in fighting HIV
Researchers in Montreal have made a breakthrough discovery in HIV research by finding a way to expel the virus from its hiding places and destroy it.
'Very alarming:' Online scams spike during the holidays
Shoppers are out looking for the best deals on gifts for their loved ones. However, the RCMP and the Better Business Bureau are warning people that the deals they’re seeing online might be too good to be true.