WINNIPEG — People hoping to pack their plates with vegetables are finding high grocery bills tougher to swallow but one produce expert expects slight relief is likely on the way.
“I have never seen produce prices on items like broccoli or cauliflower in my 22 years with Peak of the Market,” said Larry McIntosh, the CEO of the Manitoba vegetable supplier. “You go back to the beginning of December if you can find any cauliflower in California it was over $40 dollars US a case. It’s now down to $7 a case so you should start seeing that in the retail stores, the prices coming down in the coming weeks.”
McIntosh tells Global News the high prices can be blamed on a mix of reasons.
“California, where we get most of our product from, has had drought conditions now they have cool weather so there is a shortage of crops along with the US dollar being strong raises the price dramatically for Canadians,” he said.
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One way Canadians can save some money is to eat local because it cuts down on the transportation costs. That’s not easy in the winter.
“We probably have a week or two left of Manitoba carrots, then California carrots will be coming in after that or possibly even Mexico because they have a good crop down there,” McIntosh said, adding local onions should run out shortly however there are plenty of Manitoba potatoes and parsnips still in stock.
He anticipates prices will drop again in the stores once local crops start to come in this summer, provided people are still wanting to eat their vegetables.
“Our growers are worried prices are too high and people will stop eating vegetables and we don’t want that,” said McIntosh.
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