Cucumber prices in Canada are soaring due to winter imports and recent recalls affecting supply
Guelph: Getting cucumbers in Canada is becoming a real challenge. They’re long, crunchy, and super hydrating, but good luck finding them without paying a premium.
Even if you spot them at the store, the prices are through the roof. So, what’s going on? Well, it’s winter, and Canada relies on imports from the southern U.S. and Mexico. With the loonie not doing so hot, those extra costs are hitting our wallets.
Michael von Massow, a professor at the University of Guelph, says that during winter, fresh produce travels from far away, and grocery stores are in a fierce competition for it.
Plus, there was a recall of cucumbers back in December, which didn’t help. All the affected stock was destroyed, leading to a shortage.
“It takes time for the system to bounce back,” von Massow noted. “Some stores and restaurants are struggling to get cucumbers, and when they do, they’re pricier.”
He added that while prices usually rise this time of year, cucumbers are especially costly due to those recalls. But there’s a silver lining—he thinks prices might drop a bit soon.
“As more product comes back into the system, things should improve. You can’t just double production overnight; it takes time for plants to grow,” he explained. “As we get closer to summer, prices should ease up since they won’t have to travel as far.”
He emphasized that avoiding another recall is crucial for stock levels to stabilize. In December, some SunFed cucumbers were recalled due to salmonella contamination, affecting several provinces, including B.C.
As warmer weather approaches, domestic production will ramp up. “Most of the mass production happens in the Lower Mainland, southern Ontario, Quebec, and a bit in the Maritimes,” he said.
Statistics Canada also pointed out that tracking price changes can be tricky because of seasonal factors, especially for fruits and veggies.
They reported that cucumber prices jumped by 3.5% from November 2024 compared to March 2024, and by 22.6% when comparing November 2024 to May 2024. Year-over-year, prices rose just under two percent.
