During the summer, Canada relies on North American imported melons which can arrive from various destinations in the United States, or be locally grown a few miles away. However, after the season ends, Canada relies on South American countries. “From November to May, after the summer crop has ended, we import from Guatemala, Honduras, and Costa Rica,” states Randy from Canadian Fruit and Produce Company. “Importing is a live market,” Randy continues, “prices and shippers change each day.”
A variety of melons are imported such as watermelon, heirloom melon, honeydew, orange bush, canary, and golden dew with price fluctuating based on type and size. “One shipper might only have small melons for purchase, while another only has large.”
The refreshing sweet taste and long shelf life of the Hami melon is making it quite popular among Canadian consumers this summer. However, when there is not a demand for specific melons, fluctuations on availability and cost allows importers to create their own methods of supply and demand through pricing. “By pricing certain melons lower, we create the demand.”