Asian vegetable production is in the midst of transitioning growing regions to Mexico. “We work with a few growers in Mexico on these items and November generally is when the supply is low,” says Kyle DeCoste of Vivid Produce, a wholesaler based in Calgary, Canada which carries items such as Chinese, Indian and Thai eggplant, Indian bittermelon, Mo Qua and more and ships throughout Western Canada, as well as FOB in Nogales and McAllen.

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The season stays in Mexico until June. On top of Mexico, Honduras has some Asian vegetable production too.

The transition to Mexico is happening on time this year. “The weather does play a factor in that,” says DeCoste. ” Mexico had lots of rain over the last month or so, so depending on where some were planting, they might have lost their first planting.”

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Growing category
The transition comes at a time when demand for these products are strong and DeCoste has increased its acreage with that in mind. That said, the production in the winter months generally is slow in Mexico due to cooler nights, until February when temperatures begin to rise. “The demand on these items go up every year because the demographic buying those items in Canada is growing–particularly the East Indian market,” he says, adding that demand is growing in the U.S. as well. “Before you’d find these items in specific ethnic markets and now they’re available in major retailers in Canada and the U.S.”

Demand is particularly growing on popular items such as the ethnic eggplants, bittermelon and Opo squash.

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On pricing, it is stronger than last year. “There is a trend every year that in November, possibly even into February, the market is high. Demand is usually exceeding supply at that time,” says DeCoste. March through May is when all the farms are in full production which generally pushes pricing back down.

For more information:
Kyle DeCoste
Vivid Produce
Tel: +1 (403) 680-5316
[email protected]
https://vividproduce.com/