Which products are usually cheaper in different seasons?

Food prices in Calgary depend largely on seasonality, especially when it comes to locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables. During peak harvest seasons, prices for local produce drop significantly—this applies to farmers' markets, supermarkets, and even small shops. Below is a detailed overview of which products are best to buy at different times of the year and why.

Spring (March-May)

After a long winter, the selection of local products begins to renew itself in late March-April, with the peak of spring bargains falling in May. At this time, the following products become cheaper:

• Asparagus: The main season is May and June. The first fresh stalks are eagerly sold at markets, and the price in stores is as low as possible.
• Rhubarb: Appears as early as April-May.
• Greens: lettuce, spinach, green onions, dill, parsley — become cheaper as the weather warms up, with the best selection in May and June.
• New root vegetables: Young beets, radishes, and carrots appear in late spring.

Tip: At the end of spring, winter supplies such as potatoes, carrots, and root vegetables from last year are still cheap. Frozen berries, canned vegetables, and locally grown apples from cold storage are also still a good deal.

Summer (June-August)

Summer is the “golden season” for bargain hunters looking for seasonal fruits and vegetables in Calgary. The lowest prices are reached for:

Fruits and berries

• Strawberries (June-July), raspberries, blueberries, currants, gooseberries and other local berries ripen in July-August, and prices temporarily drop during the peak harvest weeks.
• Cherries, cherries, apricots, nectarines, peaches, plums: Imported fruits become cheaper during the period when large shipments arrive from the US and British Columbia, especially in July–August.
• Melons, watermelons, cantaloupes: Cheapest in July–August.

Vegetables

• Cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini, eggplants: Throughout August and early September, these products can be purchased significantly cheaper than at any other time of the year.
• New potatoes: June–August.
• Green beans, peas, broccoli, cauliflower: July–August.
• Sweet peppers, lettuce, greens: Prices are lowest in mid- to late summer.

Tip: Buy berries, fruits, and vegetables in large quantities during the peak harvest season for freezing or canning — this will save you money on winter purchases.

Fall (September–November)

Fall is the peak harvest season for root vegetables and many other vegetables, which leads to lower prices:

• Apples, pears: Local apples are cheapest from September to mid-October thanks to the new harvest and mass picking.
• Pumpkins, squash, sweet potatoes, beets, carrots, parsnips, radishes, turnips, rutabagas: Prices are lowest in September–October and often remain low until December thanks to good storage conditions.
• All types of cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts: This is the peak harvest season, and prices traditionally fall.
• Sweet corn: Prices fall in late August–September.

Tip: Autumn is the best time to buy vegetables that store well, as this guarantees affordable prices until spring.

Winter (December–February)

There is almost no local harvest in winter, but there is a surplus of “winter” products:

• Potatoes, carrots, beets, parsnips, turnips, onions, garlic: These are cheapest in December–February if you buy local produce from storage.
• Cabbage, pumpkin, sweet potatoes: These continue to be the most affordable.
• Apples and pears (from cold storage): Their price rises closer to spring, but is still lower than imported fruit.
• Frozen and canned local vegetables and berries: Often cheaper than fresh imported alternatives.

Tip: Keep an eye out for “last of the season” vegetable sales at large supermarkets — these are great opportunities for winter shopping.

Seasonal savings chart for staple foods in Calgary

Additional factors

• Global prices and weather conditions. Prices may fluctuate depending on the yield of a particular year: drought or excessive rainfall affect the availability and cost of cereals, grains, flour, and pasta. For example, droughts in Alberta sharply increase prices for pasta, wheat, oats, and barley. A favorable fall can lead to a surplus, making products cheaper by spring.

• Sales and farmers' markets. Throughout the season, farmers' markets offer unique discounts on peak harvests and surpluses, while supermarkets offer sales or “seasonal” items.

• Winter discounts on frozen and canned foods. During these months, it is worth buying freshly frozen berries and vegetables that were frozen at the peak of the season at low prices.

Conclusions

Food prices in Calgary are strongly influenced by seasonality. Local vegetables, fruits, and greens are cheapest during peak harvest season, which is from May to November, with variations depending on the specific product. Root vegetables, apples, pumpkin, and cabbage are best bought in the fall and winter, berries and stone fruits in the summer, and asparagus and greens in the spring. Keeping an eye on what's available at farmers' markets and supermarket sales will help you plan meals that are easy on your wallet and good for your health.