Canada: Sobeys struggling with produce shortage from California, Mexico
Canadians can expect high prices for produce to last at least several more weeks as a result of the weak loonie and weather issues in crop-growing areas, one of the country’s largest grocery chains said Monday.
In addition to the adverse impact of the lower Canadian dollar, flooding caused by El-Nino has contributed to supply shortages and price increases on produce from California and Mexico, said Claude Tessier, president of Sobeys Quebec.
“From what we hear the situation is going to be this for the next three weeks and then we’ll see how things evolve (along) the west coast,” Tessier told reporters after Sobey’s CEO Marc Poulin spoke to the Canadian Club.
The company, which also operates banners such as IGA, Safeway and FreshCo, is struggling to deal with the worst situation in 30 years by trying to import fresh food from other growing areas such as Florida, Morocco and Spain, Tessier said.
Read the full report at the Toronto Star
