LESSONS FROM THE LETTUCE SHORTAGE

Any consumers have noticed that Canada has run out of lettuce — well, some lettuce, mainly from California.

Crops were destroyed by a drought and a nasty virus, according to some reports. This is the time of year when we import plenty of leafy greens since our farmers can’t compete on such a scale. This has been going on for years.

Over the last few weeks, lettuce is almost impossible to find in big-box stores. But if lettuce is to be found, it is 30-40 percent overpriced, on average. Restaurant operators are being asked to pay four times the price for cases of lettuce. Most don’t bother.

Small-scale and independent retailers and operators would have some in stock since they often get supplies from other domestic players. It’s hit-and-miss.

Some grocers have learned from the great cauliflower “crisis” when the Canadian dollar dropped, and prices skyrocketed in a matter of days. That was in January 2016. Grocers increased prices, but consumers weren’t buying, and tons were wasted. Before importing overpriced commodities, Canadian retailers are thinking twice now.