Many Quebec crops were affected by the amount of rain the province received this summer.
From vegetable cultivation – i.e. large-scale vegetable cultivation – to grain cultivation including animal feed production – for example hay for animal feed – all types of agriculture seem to have been affected by this rainy weather.
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Our journalist Martin Blanchet visited the farm La Vallée de la Framboise in Val-Brillant, in the heart of Matapédia.
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Shop from the farm La Vallée des Framboises
This industry is the largest raspberry producer in eastern Quebec, harvesting more than 50,000 pounds annually.
However, the owners are faced with a very disappointing balance sheet this year, estimating losses of between 30 and 35% compared to regular production.
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Jean-Paul Lebel, co-owner of La Vallée des Framboises farm
“It was catastrophic with the strawberries. The beginning of the raspberry was the same,” says Jean-Paul Lebel, co-owner of the farm La Vallée de la Framboise.
The numerous rains have severely affected the harvest, both in terms of quality and quantity.
“It’s a year to forget,” says Union of Agricultural Producers (UPA) President Gilbert Marquis.
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Gilbert Marquis, President of the UPA
“The heavy rain with the strong winds, the food is on the ground. It’s more difficult to harvest again and there’s mold,” he explains.
These less-than-ideal conditions caused by rainfall will cause losses to farmers “because the grains germinate.”
This summer’s heavy rains don’t mean all bad news.
The water accumulated in the soil would suggest to farmers a better start to the season in spring 2024.
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Mr. Lebel points out these plants and mentions, “They’re big, they’re big, they’re strong.” They really didn’t run out of water,” an observation that “holds promise for next year.”
“But we won’t sell the bear’s skin until we kill it,” warns Mr. Lebel.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, no less than 366 millimeters of rain fell on the Bas-Saint-Laurent region in the Mont Joli sector in June, July and August 2023.
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This is a 41% increase compared to the seasonal average of 260 millimeters.
Even worse, the rainfall in the Gaspésie region accumulated 510 millimeters of water, an increase of 123%.
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