On the eve of Thanksgiving and Halloween right around the corner, the unthinkable could be happening - some pumpkins producers in Manitoba say there will be a shortage of their products during their peak season.
Pumpkin farmer Clint Masse says that this year his pumpkins aren't as big as they should be and they certainly are not as plentiful.
"This year we've had about 40 per cent pumpkin crop loss," he told CTV News.
There are several reasons for the poor crop this season. Spring flood waters covered fields and summer growers had to deal with cool, wet weather. Then in September, warmer weather led to deer and other animals to start eating the pumpkins.
This story is the same across western Canada, except in British Columbia, where hot temperatures helped produce a banner year for pumpkins.
In the northeastern United States, growers are facing the worst pumpkin crop in 40 years.
While pumpkins should be readily available across Canada this season, producers warn that the perfect Jack-O-Lantern may not be so easy to find.
"I think when it comes down to it, the week before Halloween I am pretty much guaranteeing that the scramble is going to be on," Masse said.
With a report from CTV's Jill Macyshon
