SunTech Greenhouses adapts to meet demand amid rising costs and tariffs

Suntech Greenhouses in Manotick is expanding to meet demand for fresh, local produce as consumers look to buy Canadian. CTV’s Dave Charbonneau reports.

As Canadians face rising prices and supply chain challenges, many local businesses are adapting to keep up with demand. SunTech Greenhouses in Manotick is one of those businesses, staying committed to growing fresh, local produce for the community despite rising costs and tariffs.

Elizabeth McRae buys her vegetables from this Manotick greenhouse multiple times a week.

“I support SunTech because I like the company. I think that they’re fantastic and they’re like-minded for what I believe. And I like supporting them. Simple as that,” said Elizabeth McRae, a SunTech customer.

The Allin family bought SunTech Greenhouses in 2020 and has been supplying local stores with fresh cucumbers and tomatoes ever since. The business is now expanding to meet the growing demand for Canadian produce.

“We’re currently at four acres and working on an expansion for another 80,000 square feet, which will become cucumbers. We supply Ottawa. That’s our service area as far as we’re concerned,” said Corinne Turansky, SunTech Greenhouses special projects manager.

“Our cucumbers are our smallest grow product right now, and we sell out every single day. So, the main thing was to keep up with our demand and then also obviously be able to sustain SunTech and make sure it can stay around for a long time,” said Benjamin Allin, SunTech Greenhouses president.

Even with demand increasing, Suntech faces rising costs, including tariffs, which could create more local competition.

“Southern Ontario is the biggest producer of tomatoes in Ontario. And if they are tariffed shipping their produce to the United States, that is going to cause them to dump their product in Canada,” said Turansky.

At Foodland in Winchester, SunTech products take centre stage and are popular with shoppers.

“They’re just going like crazy,” said Leanne Baldwin, Foodland Winchester produce manager, “It’s Ontario. So, customers are really flocking to it.”

Consumers are turning to local products more than ever, supporting businesses like SunTech during challenging times.

“We have to take care of our own. It’s more important than taking care of everyone else. That sounds selfish, but we have to make sure that things are protected,” said Kim Lalonde, a Foodland customer.

Despite the challenges, SunTech remains dedicated to growing local, fresh produce.

“When you shop local, the money stays in your community and allows your community to grow,” said Allin.