A pumpkin shortage is expected to hit the United States this fall after a poor growing season, but there are plenty to carve and cook in Saskatchewan.
Joan Merrill, co-owner of Robertson Valley Farms, southwest of Saskatoon describes their crop as “decent.”
“We had a lot of heat, sufficient rain in August and pretty good conditions leading into the ripening season,” she said. “I would say our crop is at least average this year.”
According to Libby’s, main pumpkin supplier south of the border, an unusually wet June cut yields by about half. Americans are being warned they should buy canned pumpkin for pies now, because store shelves could be empty by the time their Thanksgiving arrives in November.
Merrill said people in Saskatchewan don’t need to worry about a shortage, but she did say their farm only grows a limited amount each year.
“No vendor, no grower… and no supermarket wants to be left with a lot of inventory at the end of the season, so we’re not counting on growing an excess of pumpkins every season,” she said.
Merrill said they have a barn full of pumpkins that are ready for families to take home in time for Thanksgiving and Halloween.
Robertson Valley Farms is open through the long weekend 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.