CSPMA: Peat Supply Down Considerably

By Greenhouse Grower staff|September 23, 2011

The Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association (CSPMA), whose members represent 95 percent of the North American peat production, released a statement Friday indicating the peat harvest in Eastern Canada will only be 15 to 30 percent of historically targeted requirements.

CSPMA indicates the weather conditions in Western Canada have been better than Eastern Canada’s, allowing for continued harvest in some locations. Western Canada, however, represents only 30 to 40 percent of the total Canadian production. Sixty to 70 percent of all Canadian peat is harvested in New Brunswick and Québec – the areas of Canada hit hardest by rain in recent weeks.

“The outcome is that overall the industry is facing one of its poorest peat harvest seasons,” CSPMA writes in its statement.

At the distribution level, IHA, an alliance that includes BWI Companies, Griffin Greenhouse and Nursery Supplies and BFG Supply, is working closely with growers to help them manage through the peat shortage.

"The IHA members have been working to get orders in early, to switch straight peat buyers to a manufacturer’s mix and discussing alternatives such as heavier bark-based mixes and coir," says Joe Farinacci, IHA managing director.