BC fruit growers are facing a fourth difficult year. A recent survey by the BC Fruit Growers Association indicates that more than 67% of growers plan to harvest less fruit this year as a result of COVID-19. “We were really surprised by the number,” says BCFGA general manager Glen Lucas. “It really shows the squeeze …
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Worker health in focus
OLIVER – With foreign and domestic workers starting to arrive in the Okanagan for another season, growers are grappling with provincial health guidelines designed to limit the spread of COVID-19. “It’s going to start the first week of May for grapes, doing some shoot-thinning in vineyards,” says Ron Forrest, the BC Fruit Growers Association liaison …
Co-op focuses on cutting costs, increasing sales
KELOWNA – BC Tree Fruits Cooperative is considering several strategies to revive its flagging fortunes, drawing on the expertise of business consultants John Kay and William Oeminchen, authors of a recent governance report for the co-op. “The strategies we are working on touch every function of the business,” says CEO Warren Sarafinchan. “We can come …
Cherry growers discuss trade
Trade and research were the topics at the annual meeting of the BC Cherry Association in Kelowna on March 3. The industry has grown substantially in the last 15 years, thanks to the opening of export markets. China, Japan and California are now major buyers of BC cherries. “But we need to continue to diversify …
Fruit growers grapple with third year of losses
KELOWNA – Poor apple prices were the focus of the 131st annual BC Fruit Growers Association convention in Kelowna, February 11-12. “This is the third consecutive year of declining grower returns,” says BCFGA president Pinder Dhaliwal. “Returns are now below the cash cost of production.” Payouts as low as nine and 10 cents a pound …
Apple growers fight low prices
BC tree fruit growers are seeing extremely poor returns on their first pool advance from BC Tree Fruits Cooperative. Payouts as low as nine and 10 cents a pound for Gala apples were reported by top growers for extra fancy pack-outs. These figures are being called the lowest ever in real terms and are well …