Dollar’s rise means lower prices for clammers

Walker says it’s also one of the reasons that her company is offering lower prices for clams this year. “Most of our products sell south of the border, “ says Walker.

The recent surge in the value of the loonie means that U.S. buyers wind up paying more for Canadian products.

Walker says Americans have also done a lot to restore their own clam beaches, which translates to less demand for Atlantic Canadian clams. “And last year we lost business because of the beach closures,” says Walker. She says Casey Fisheries may have also been penalized for its Digby location. There were closures of clam beaches throughout Atlantic Canada, “but the media seemed to zoom in the Digby ‘contamination’ story,” says Walker.

She says she does, however, see some hope on the horizon. Regulations that have had a heavy impact on clammers means that consumers have absolute assurance the shellfish harvested in Atlantic Canada are safe. They’re also organic and healthy, two qualities that many consumers are seeking these days.

Walker says it is also encouraging to see the Digby Pines Resort and Spa adopt a ‘100-kilometre radius’ philosophy for its dining room. The chef there is consciously seeking out food products that are locally harvested.