As Yellow and Green Bean Season Begins in Ontario and Quebec, we take a look at why this bean in gaining in popularity
Fresh yellow and green bean season is officially underway across Ontario and Quebec, bringing one of Canada's most popular summer vegetables to grocery stores and farmers' markets.
Harvest typically begins in July and continues through early fall, with both provinces serving as Canada's leading producers of fresh snap beans.
Ontario is Canada's largest producer of fresh-market green and yellow beans, while Quebec ranks second. Together, the two provinces account for the majority of the country's commercial snap bean production, supplying retailers, wholesalers, processors, and export markets during the peak summer season.
The crop is valued for its short growing cycle, allowing many growers to plant multiple successions for a continuous harvest.
Production is concentrated in the southwestern region of Ontario, primary growing areas include Norfolk, Elgin, Essex, Chatham-Kent, Lambton, Middlesex, Oxford, Haldimand, Niagara, and Wellington counties, where fertile soils and a long frost-free season create ideal growing conditions.
The province has several hundred commercial vegetable farms producing snap beans, ranging from family-operated farms to large diversified vegetable operations.
Much of the crop is sold fresh, while a significant portion is supplied to processors for frozen and canned vegetables.
Quebec's Strong Bean Industry
Quebec is Canada's second-largest producer of fresh snap beans. Production is centered in the Montérégie region, along with Lanaudière, Centre-du-Québec, Capitale-Nationale, Chaudière-Appalaches, and parts of the St. Lawrence Valley.
Approximately How Much Is Grown?
While annual acreage changes depending on market demand and weather, industry estimates indicate:
- Ontario: Approximately 8,000 to 10,000 acres of fresh green and yellow beans are grown annually by 300 to 500 commercial vegetable farms.
- Quebec: Roughly 3,000 to 5,000 acres are grown by 150 to 300 vegetable producers.
Actual planted acreage varies each season based on contracts with processors, fresh market demand, and planting conditions.
Was the 2026 Growing Season Too Wet?
The 2026 season has generally started on a positive note, although localized weather challenges have affected some growers.
Ontario experienced periods of heavy rainfall, localized flooding, hail, and isolated severe storms during late spring and early summer.
However, moderate temperatures and timely rainfall across many growing regions supported healthy crop development, and no widespread production losses have been reported for snap beans.
In Quebec, growing conditions have also been generally favorable through early summer. While some regions experienced wet conditions that briefly delayed field operations, there have been no reports of province-wide weather damage significantly affecting yellow and green bean production.
Snap beans are among Canada's fastest-growing vegetable crops, maturing in as little as 50 to 60 days after planting. Their rapid growth allows farmers to stagger planting dates, ensuring fresh supplies throughout the summer.
It makes for a great crop for farmers to grow, and other farmers to eat.
Photo Credit: pexels-mark-heyne