One Manitoba greenhouse grower hopes that recent flooding is no more than a once-in-a-century occurrence. In an interview with CBC News, Cormac Foster, vice-president of engineering and development, reported that the entire crop - about 500,000 kilograms of tomatoes – was lost at Vermillion Growers, Dauphin.  The June 30 event affected the entire 12-acre operation including 5,400 cases of produce ready to be shipped to Manitoba and western Canadian grocers.  

In Stonewall, north of Winnipeg, a strawberry grower has lost 60 per cent of the 28-acre crop. Danielle Boonstra reports hail damage in June followed by unrelenting rain. In addition, next year’s crop of 70,000 plants has been destroyed. 

Vikram Bisht, potato and horticultural crops pathologist, Manitoba Agriculture reports, “in some areas, the rains have flooded the already-wet fields in most of the potato growing areas. Many of these are partially flooded fields, leading to some rotting. However, there is currently no serious impact on Manitoba potato production. “ 

Manitoba Agriculture reported variable precipitation during the first week of July 2026. Rains and isolated thunderstorms brought hail, strong winds, intense rain, and possible tornadoes swept through the majority of the province. The largest accumulations occurred in the southwest near Boissevain and Souris, as well as the northwest region in the already water-logged areas of San Clara, Ethelbert, Dauphin, Minnedosa, and Russell. Overland flooding and overflowing rivers and streams have caused many communities, including the City of Brandon, to declare local states of emergency. Weekly accumulations ranged from 9 (Sprague) to 188 mm (Boissevain).

The Assiniboine River is expected to crest in Brandon on July 13 and reach Portage la Prairie on July 16. 

Sources:  Manitoba Agriculture, CBC News