Consumers will see a steady supply of Ontario tomatoes this season, as weather has been favorable.
“Weather’s been good for the product. The area’s had a good flush of product timed with great retail support and some of the cooler and cloudy weather we’ve had lately has provided steady production,” said Tim Iles of Erie James.
There are more than 300 different varieties of tomatoes commercially grown in Ontario (round, plum, cherry and beefsteak). In addition to beefsteak, cluster, grape and cherry tomatoes, Erie James also introduced cherry cluster tomatoes; a new crop planted this year. “It’s a very, very sweet product, with a high brix level,” he said.
Erie James ships throughout the whole continent and demand for the product remains strong. Iles said that prices are steady. As of June 20, the Canadian Organic Growers priced cherry tomatoes at market from $2.50 to $5.00 per pint.
“Production will remain good and quality excellent with the hope that normal summer weather kicks in and everybody starts making salads,” said Iles, “and off we go into barbecue season.”
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Tim Iles
Erie James