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
LIVE UPDATES 'He is no hero': Pennsylvania authorities announce charges against Luigi Mangione
Following his arrest in Altoona, Pa. earlier on Monday, Luigi Mangione was arraigned and charged with five counts, according to a criminal complaint.
Union dropped wage demand to 19% over four years in Canada Post negotiations: CUPW
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has reportedly dropped its wage demand to 19 per cent over four years, CUPW negotiator Jim Gallant told CTV News.
Sudbury, Ont., family traumatized after hospital said loved one had been released, when in fact they had passed away
Sudbury resident Angela Vitiello says a staff member at Health Sciences North told her that her brother, Allan St. Martin, was released from the hospital late last month when, in fact, he had passed away.
Liberal government survives third Conservative non-confidence vote
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's latest attempt to topple the minority Liberal government in a non-confidence vote failed on Monday, thanks to the New Democrats.
What the upcoming holiday GST relief will mean for consumers
The federal government's GST break will arrive this Saturday, just in time for the last stretch of holiday shopping.
Polygamous U.S. sect leader gets 50 years in prison in scheme to orchestrate sex involving children
A polygamist religious leader in the U.S. who claimed more than 20 spiritual “wives” including 10 underage girls was sentenced to 50 years in prison on Monday.
Katie Holmes refutes story about daughter Suri Cruise’s fortune
Katie Holmes has posted a screen grab of a Daily Mail article, which reported that her 18-year old daughter, whose father is Tom Cruise, is now a "millionaire."
Trudeau says dealing with Trump will be 'a little more challenging' than last time
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said dealing with incoming president Donald Trump and his thundering on trade will be 'a little more challenging' than the last time.
Montreal man retiring early after winning half of the $80 million Lotto-Max jackpot
Factor worker Jean Lamontagne, 63, will retire earlier than planned after he won $40 million on Dec. 3 in the Lotto-Max draw.