If you haven’t picked out your Halloween pumpkin yet, Ontario farmers say now’s the time. After an unusually dry summer, some growers are reporting smaller pumpkins, fewer specialty varieties, and the potential for slightly higher prices as the spooky season nears.
“Pumpkins need a lot of water to grow,” said Mark Saunders, owner of Saunders Farm in Munster. “Farms around here and in southern Ontario that I’ve talked to have found that their crops were much, much smaller.” While his farm managed a solid harvest thanks to efficient irrigation, Saunders noted that this year’s pumpkins are smaller and denser than usual because of the drought.
Ontario experienced unusually hot, dry weather this summer, with some regions approaching extreme drought conditions. These weather patterns affected pumpkin yields across parts of the province, particularly impacting larger and specialty varieties.
“Everyone wants a giant. The big Howden is a real popular variety,” Saunders explained, referring to the classic, bright orange pumpkins often used for carving. “The main thing is, get them now — there may not be any by Oct. 30. It wasn’t a bumper crop year.”
Chris Thomson, spokesperson for the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, said that while overall yields have been roughly average, the dry conditions reduced pumpkin size in some soil types and limited the availability of unique specialty pumpkins.
“Those looking for a specific or certain type of pumpkin might have a tougher time doing so,” Thomson said. “While there are many jack-o-lantern carving pumpkins still available, selection becomes more limited the closer we get to Halloween. This could result in slightly fewer options and slightly higher prices than usual.”
Ontario’s pumpkin supply is also influenced by movement between domestic markets and exports, which helps balance regional shortfalls. However, with demand picking up and harvest still underway, experts say shoppers hoping for the perfect pumpkin should visit patches and stores sooner rather than later.