Following a chilly spring that hindered growth, the corn season on Prince Edward Island is now progressing — just as lower-priced corn from Quebec begins to appear in grocery stores.
Matthew Compton, the owner of Compton’s Farm Market in Summerside, noted that May and June experienced colder than usual temperatures. Although this postponed the sweet corn harvest, he did not alter the amount he planted.
“Corn is not fond of cold soil,” he explained. “It requires warm soil and higher temperatures to thrive.”
To expedite the readiness of part of his crop, Compton utilized clear, biodegradable plastic for some of his planting. This plastic creates a greenhouse effect, warming the soil and facilitating faster germination and growth of the corn.
“We’ve been selling since Monday,” he shared during an interview with CBC News on Thursday.
“The quality is outstanding, and the flavor is incredible. It’s remarkable what a bit of rain and warmth can accomplish.”
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Nevertheless, Compton remarked that his primary sweet corn crop is somewhat lagging behind his desired schedule.
Timing is crucial.
He indicated that the peak demand for sweet corn occurs in midsummer, particularly when tourists visit the Island and families purchase corn for campfires and barbecues.
“We have a limited timeframe for our sweet corn,” Compton stated. “The later it extends into September, the demand significantly declines.”
Compton mentions that he plants some of his sweet corn under a clear, corn-based biodegradable plastic to warm the soil and achieve an earlier crop. By this stage of the season, he notes the plastic has degraded to the point that ‘you wouldn’t even know’ it was ever there. (Matthew Compton)
On the opposite side of the Island, Mark Verleun and his wife operate Keddy’s Corn in Montague. He also referred to a cold and damp spring.
“May and June were particularly cold, wet, and windy,” he commented. “We planted corn that took 16 days to germinate, leading to a chilly start, but it is progressing now.”
He noted that the weather finally improved around the beginning of July.
An influx of corn might be good news for corn enthusiasts, but a surplus from other regions could impact profit margins for Island farmers this year. Matthew Compton from Compton’s Farm Market and Mark Verleun from Keddy’s Corn discuss how the sweet corn season is developing.
Verleun aims to commence his season early next week. He has scheduled his planting to provide corn until October 1, though he mentioned the actual duration of the season will rely on fall frost conditions.
Last year, Keddy’s managed to have corn available through the Thanksgiving weekend, but an early hard frost this autumn could shorten the season, he warned.
Quebec corn puts pressure on local prices
Both farmers are closely monitoring developments in Quebec.
After a sluggish start, farmers in Quebec are now harvesting more sweet corn than the market can accommodate, resulting in lower prices for consumers. Quebec corn is easily transportable to the Maritimes.
Compton indicated that this situation can drive down local prices.
“When there’s an excess of corn in Quebec, it trickles down to the Maritimes,” he explained.
“It benefits consumers by providing them a cheaper corn option. [However], it pushes us … to potentially lower price levels for our corn sales.”
At his market, Compton has maintained prices consistent with last year: $1 per cob, or 14 for $9.
After a slow start to the season, Quebec farmers are harvesting more sweet corn than stores can manage, leading to lower prices for consumers. Despite tighter profit margins on corn, farmers are enjoying a successful summer due to abundant yields of other crops.
Verleun mentioned that Keddy’s has kept its prices unchanged and has not raised them in four years.
“You don’t want to price yourselves out of the market,” he remarked.
Compton expressed that while shoppers might be inclined to select cheaper corn in stores, he hopes that when possible, consumers will opt to pay a bit more for local produce.
“If you can support your local farmer and pay a little extra for it … that money goes right back into the local economy.”