ABBOTSFORD – Blueberry growers have turned to mechanical harvesting in unprecedented numbers this year due to a shortage of labour and impacts of COVID-19. While growers usually employ thousands of hand harvesters, this year saw hundreds of machines harvesting berries across the Fraser Valley. Although farmers have been using machines for several years, many did …
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Pandemic puts the squeeze on blueberry growers
by SARBMEET SINGH ABBOTSFORD – BC blueberry growers face tighter profit margins this year due to COVID-19. Public health protocols have created additional costs including the need for personal protective equipment for workers’ safety and a hike in labour costs. Meanwhile, fewer workers in the fields mean fruit could over-ripen, reducing quality and prices. “We …
Blueberry plant faces COVID-19
At least 15 workers were infected with COVID-19 at Fraser Valley Packers Inc., a blueberry packing plant in Abbotsford, health officials announced on Monday. The plant is located at Short Road in Abbotsford. The investigation into the outbreak started on July 23. Teams from the Fraser Health Authority are working with the plant doing ongoing …
International blueberry growers meet in Richmond
Developing new markets and enhancing fruit quality are top of mind for the close to 500 people attending the International Blueberry Organization summit in Richmond this week. Growing demand for blueberries has seen production increase worldwide to more than a billion pounds, according to a state of the industry report presented this week. The top …
Blueberry growers told to buckle up
Blueberry growers across North America face significant headwinds, according to a key speaker at the Pacific Agriculture Show in Abbotsford on January 26. “I can’t make the numbers work to give you a bright future,” said John Shelford, an observer of industry trends and strategic advisor to Naturipe Farms LLC. The comment reflected number-crunching that …