Sobeys has taken out a full-page advert in a local newspaper outlining the reason it has struggled to keep up with demand for domestic strawberries.
The Canadian retailer said that, due to the impact of a virus that has effected 40 per cent of Nova Scotia's strawberry crop, it had little choice but to import US fruit.
Transmitted by the strawberry aphid, the disease is the result of two known viruses combining, CBC News reported.
'Growing conditions have been a real challenge for Maritime strawberry farmers and our local supply has been greatly impacted,' the advertisement read. 'To meet demand we have imported strawberries and will offer locally-grown berries wherever possible.'
