It's the beet season in Quebec and growers are currently harvesting their fresh crop. The harvest season lasts for several months until the first freeze, at which point supply switches to storage crop. It's been a very warm summer in Quebec and many areas have had little rain. This has presented a challenge for the many vegetable crops that grow in the province, with beets not an exception.
"We are harvesting beets now for the fresh market and it usually goes until November, depending on when the first freeze occurs," said Real Paquin of D Farm. "Conditions have varied across Quebec but the common theme is that it has been warm everywhere. Like with other vegetables, the lack of rain has been concerning for beet growers and we predict that there may be some losses. We do expect a good crop still, but definitely not a bumper crop. Cold weather will be needed eventually though."
D Farm owners Martin Herren and Ines Thoos
Supplies are steady and should continue deep into winter. Paquin adds, "Supplies of beets are good right now. Once we are into the storage crop, this can last into February or March depending on market price."
Demand still slow
Because it has been very warm, the demand for beets has remained slow. Consumers are still showing a preference to other vegetables but when the cooler weather starts, growers expect this to turn around. The market is flat but pricing is steady considering the time of year.
Johanne Lavoie and Real Paquin
"Demand has not been there yet because it's been too hot," Paquin explained. "People don't really want to cook in hot weather and prefer to eat salads. Therefore, the market is not the greatest at the moment. It also depends a lot on what is happening in other producing regions and what kind of conditions they are experiencing."
Beets are D Farm's specialty crop and the company ships them in their own branded packaging.
For more information:
Real Paquin
D Farm
Tel: +1 (450) 439-2983