A destructive virus has damaged about 40 per cent of Nova Scotia's strawberry crop this year, forcing Sobeys to import strawberries from the U.S.
The company took out a half-page advertisement in local newspapers, saying it was trying, but not having much luck keeping up with the demand for locally-grown strawberries, according to CBC News Nova Scotia.
The virus – a destructive combination of two known strains – hinders the plants ability to produce marketable berries.
"We can't keep up with the demand for local, but we are doing our best," said Shauna Selig, a spokeswoman for Sobeys.
"We have reached out to our suppliers. Everything that we can possibly purchase locally, we certainly are."
The strong demand is paving the way for American companies to move their product north.
Annie Kierans, of the Noggins Corner Farm Market, noted that strawberries are hot commodities at the moment at the Halifax Seaport Farmers' Market.
"Lots of people are coming in and are really excited about them," she said.
"They're going like wildfire."
Minister of Agriculture, John MacDonell, said at least 40 per cent of Nova Scotia's strawberry industry, a sector worth about $18 million annually, have been affected.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for updates on the situation.
Sobeys Strawberries
