TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Oct. 28, 2011) - Canadian retailers and farmers will be counting on some healthy trick-or-treating this Halloween as consumers get ready for October 31. Based on retail sales so far this year, things are looking promising, according to BMO Economics.

"Retailers have enjoyed some growth despite a challenging economy and weak consumer confidence. We expect retail sales for the month of October to be up approximately 3 percent from a year ago for a total of $38 billion," said Doug Porter, Deputy Chief Economist, BMO Capital Markets.

When it comes to candy and snack foods, Canadians spent $322 million in the month of October last year, up $64 million over average monthly sales.

According to Statistics Canada, 3,723,644 children in Canada are of prime trick-or-treating age (5 – 14 years old). Many of them will be busy ahead of the big night, carving pumpkins – the estimated value of pumpkins produced in Canada last year was $15.3 million while the marketed value of apple production last year was $142.3 million.

"Harvest time is a great opportunity, not just to enjoy all the fun surrounding Hallowe'en with children, family, and good friends, but also a time to show appreciation for the hard work and dedication of our local farmers by stocking up on locally grown foods like apples, pumpkins, and squash," said David Rinneard, National Manager, Agriculture, BMO Bank of Montreal. "Canadian consumers from coast to coast benefit from a strong and stable agriculture system with reliable food sources and unparalleled safety."

Apples, Pumpkins and Squash

• 2,790 hectares – the approximate land area (6,895 acres) on which pumpkins were harvested in 2010

• 74,970 tonnes – amount of pumpkins and squash produced in Canada in 2010

• 42,380 tonnes – the amount of pumpkins and squash imported into Canada in 2010

• 1.51 kilograms – the amount of pumpkin and squash available for consumption as food per capita in 2010

• 2,317 – the number of farms and pumpkin patches in Canada (according to the 2006 Census)

• 7.18 kg – the average amount of fresh apples eaten by individuals in 2010

• 346,677 tonnes – the marketed production of apples in Canada

Publication Contributing Sources

• Market Wire