Specialty vegetable markets in Ontario

Recently, there has been increased interest in the market potential of specialty vegetable crops in Ontario. However, the conversation surrounding import replacement through domestic production has been ongoing for more than 30 years. Market and agronomic research reports are readily available from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), the University of Guelph (U of G) and more recently, the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (VRIC). Navigating this information can be difficult, given that speculation on potential markets varies by source and over time. Other issues related to specialty crop production such as agronomics and pest management will not be discussed in this article but should also be considered before growing any specialty crop.

A focus on market opportunities

In a recent University of Guelph study, Adekunle et al. characterized potential specialty crop markets in Ontario. The authors ranked the top thirteen vegetables for the three largest ethnic groups in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA): South Asian, Chinese, and Afro-Caribbean (Table 1). The study estimated the potential market demand for vegetables within these three groups in the GTA at approximately 61 million dollars per month. However, the estimate in the study was for all vegetables noted within the study groups, not just specialty vegetables. If one does not clearly recognise this point and review the crop list in the study, the potential market for specialty vegetables may be wrongly interpreted and possibly over-inflated.

Case study for Ontario import replacement

A single crop can be selected as a case study for specialty vegetable demand and potential commercial production in Ontario. Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) was ranked as the number one vegetable for two of the three groups in the University of Guelph study (Table 1). Summarizing the data from 2012, the total annual okra imports to Ontario were 3,515,149 kg worth $7,758,562, of which fresh or chilled okra accounted for approximately 93% by volume and 80% by value (Table 2 and 3).

Ontario Okra Imports (Source: Statistics Canada)

Taking a look at wholesale prices in Ontario

Based on the 2012 Ontario import data for fresh or chilled okra, wholesale prices on average would be roughly $1.90/kg ($0.86/lb). However, for the week of August 6, 2012 (in the middle of the Ontario okra production season) the highest price for fresh okra at the Toronto Food Terminal was $29 per 15 lb carton - or approximately $4.25/kg ($1.93/lb). One week later, the price fell to $14 per 14 lb carton, or approximately $2.20/kg ($1/lb). For the remainder of August and September, prices fluctuated between $14-27 per 14 lb carton. The change in price appears to reflect the main okra production season in the northern US (which would be similar for southern Ontario producers). To better understand the market and pricing, one must consider yield figures.

Yield estimates for okra production in Ontario

OMAFRA and the University of Guelph completed an okra variety trial in 1987. While arguably dated, it provides a baseline for the following calculations. Seeding for the trial occurred on April 13 and plants were transplanted into bare soil on May 29. Harvest ran from July 11 to September 24, inclusive. In total, 15 harvest dates were recorded, ranging every 2 to 5 days. Yields from the study are represented in Table 4 (Note: these figures are based on statistically designed, small plot trials with only one year of data).

More recently, a 2009/10 study from Massachusetts reported yields between 1 820 - 17 860 kg/ha with harvest scheduling three times per week and a production season similar to the Ontario trial (mid-July to end of September). The discrepancy between the Massachusetts and Ontario yields may be the result of variety, size of pods being harvested, row spacing/plant density, mulch vs. no mulch, and environmental conditions for the respective growing seasons.

Market observations

So, how many economically viable acres of okra could be grown in Ontario?

The most current figures from Statistics Canada report approximately 4.1 ha (10.1 acres) of okra grown in Ontario (2006 census data). The market for this production is likely fresh okra at pick-your-own farms, direct farm markets, and/or farmers' markets. Based on the Ontario yields noted above, 4.1 ha of okra would equate to an additional volume of 38 622 kg (4.1ha x 9 420 kg/ha) of fresh okra entering the Ontario marketplace during the growing season.

Added to this production, import replacement based on the 2012 fresh okra import figures (Table 2) at the highest yields from the Ontario study (Table 4) suggest that an additional 345 ha (~862.5 acres) of okra could be produced for total annual import replacement of fresh product if year round production was possible.

However, if one considers import replacement for only the in-season market (a more realistic approach) from mid-July to the end of September (~10 weeks), production volume would be approximately 626 105 kg or 66.5 ha (~166.25 acres) of potential acreage for replacement of 100% of the seasonal imports in addition to the current production acreage of 4.1 ha. Full in-season import replacement, however, has yet to be achieved for any horticultural crop in Ontario.

It appears there is an increasing demand for specialty vegetables in Ontario, but niche markets for individual crops, such as okra, may only support a small amount of additional acreage. Niche markets are easily saturated, and background research is highly recommended before growing any specialty crop.

For additional production and pest management information on okra and other specialty crops, please visit OMAFRA's web database, Specialty Cropportunities.

Thank you to Anna Staciwa and Siva Mailvaganam, statisticians, OMAFRA for the contribution of import and acreage statistics used in this article.