Demand is strong for greenhouse cucumbers at the moment. “While supply is normal, with strong demand, it’s a very tight market that’s causing a rise in prices on the long English cucumber and the mini seedless cucumber,” says Dino DiLaudo, vice president of sales & marketing at Westmoreland Sales.
Generally, in Canada, and in Westmoreland’s case, Ontario, there has been an overall continuous increase in production of both mini cucumbers and seedless cucumbers. “Even with the increase in supply, the increase in demand is more than the supply,” says DiLaudo. “As we continue to see that, there’s going to be more greenhouse space dedicated to growing these cucumbers, so it tends to correct itself. We try to get to the balance where there are options of growing tomatoes on the vine, bell peppers, etc. So if you see strong demand for cucumbers, it tends to be offset by some acreage switching over to produce more cucumbers for the following season.”
Fueling demand
Behind that greater supply is increasing demand, particularly given there’s more of an appetite for promoting greenhouse cucumbers as well in retail.
That said, what’s being seen now in the greenhouse cucumber market is similar to last year, which also saw tight supply and a strong market from late August to the first part of October.
Looking ahead, as temperatures begin to cool in Ontario, Westmoreland is looking towards its winter growing period, which means shorter days with less sunlight. “Our lit greenhouse production augments the lack of sunlight, though nothing can fully replace the sun. That tends to slow down production,” says DiLaudo, noting lit greenhouse production will begin in November. “We’re anticipating more Canadian production this year and the continued growth of production of Canadian grown cucumbers with more technology coming like the LED lighting--so more acreage under lights. This continues to grow every year.”
For more information:
Dino DiLaudo
Westmoreland Sales - Topline Farms
[email protected]
www.toplinefarms.com