Local supply is ramping up, bringing fresher product and lower prices to the market
Ontario romaine lettuce season officially gets underway this week, bringing welcome relief to retailers, restaurants, and foodservice operators who’ve been navigating unusually high prices on imported product.
With local supply beginning to hit the Ontario Food Terminal, buyers can expect fresher product, stronger local sourcing opportunities, and perhaps most importantly, lower prices as Ontario growers ramp up production.
Local romaine arrives!
Ontario romaine season begins today (June 1st) with the start of harvesting at Boots Farms, one of the province’s most established growers. While the overall success of the season will depend on weather conditions throughout the summer, local supply is now beginning to flow.
As volume increases, buyers should expect prices to come down.
Why have romaine prices been so high?
Anyone purchasing romaine or romaine hearts recently has likely noticed dramatic price increases.
A combination of factors has put pressure on the U.S. market, including rising fuel costs, volatile weather in key growing regions, exchange rate fluctuations, and ongoing supply challenges. The result has been exceptionally high prices on imported romaine products, with some cases of romaine and romaine hearts exceeding $100 per case. The arrival of Ontario product should help stabilize the market.
U.S. suppliers will have no choice but to compete as local volume ramps up.
Ontario vs. imported romaine
While romaine lettuce may look similar at first glance, there are noticeable differences between Ontario-grown and imported varieties.
Ontario romaine tends to be greener and leafier, while many U.S. varieties are lighter in colour and more densely packed, similar to romaine hearts.
For many buyers, local romaine also offers a freshness advantage. With shorter transportation distances and faster delivery times, Ontario-grown lettuce can move from the field to customers in as little as one day after harvest.
What buyers should look for
When evaluating romaine quality, appearance alone doesn’t tell the whole story. We recommend checking the centre of the head by opening it slightly and inspecting the inner leaves. Buyers should watch for:
- Burnt leaves
- Slimy leaves
- Signs of insect damage or infestation
Fresh, healthy centres are one of the best indicators of quality romaine.
Why local matters
Summer is prime season for local produce, and romaine is no exception.
Consumers continue to embrace “eat local” initiatives, making Ontario-grown products an attractive option for retailers and foodservice operators alike. Beyond supporting local farms, buyers benefit from improved freshness and reduced dependence on imported products.
With demand expected to remain strong throughout the season, Ontario romaine offers an opportunity to meet customer expectations while potentially reducing costs.
Supporting consistent supply
Maintaining a reliable supply can be challenging during seasonal transitions, but DiLiso’s Fresh 2U works closely with growers across Ontario to keep product moving.
Our grower relationships and industry contacts allow us to maintain a consistent supply of local romaine throughout the season.
As more Ontario fields come into production over the coming weeks, availability is expected to increase and pricing should continue to improve.
Looking ahead
The outlook for Ontario romaine is encouraging.
Demand is expected to be strong, driven in part by elevated U.S. prices and growing consumer interest in local produce. For buyers, that means now is the time to take advantage of fresh Ontario supply as it becomes available.
What excites us the most? Being able to offer customers a better option—one that’s cheaper, fresher, healthier, and supports local growers.
As Ontario romaine season gets underway, that’s good news for produce buyers and consumers alike.