Jul 20, 2012

Ontario farm operations in jeopardy as growing season worsens

Locally-grown fruits and vegetables are expected to be rarer and dearer as they come to market this summer and fall. But overall, global food prices should be stabilized due to strong supplies and declining oil prices, a University of Guelph food market expert says.

Extreme heat and the resulting drought are threatening all crops in the region, whether conventionally or organically grown. This comes after a spring in which dramatic and unprecedented temperature shifts spurred an early start to — and then the quick death of — fruit blossoms.

Very warm weather in March was followed by several frosts in April. Many farm operations could be ruined after all the crops are in and the receipts counted. The average temperature so far in July for the Guelph area has been 30.2 C, with 10 days of 30 C or higher.

Jodi Koberinski, executive director of the Organic Council of Ontario, said with reduced yields of locally grown organic fruit and vegetable, prices are bound to increase. But she hopes consumers will continue to support local food. The consequences of not doing so, she said, will be that many farmers will go out of business. The Record

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