The sudden closure of B.C. Tree Fruits last week has farmers scrambling to find routes to market. Some may be forced to abandon their crops, one grower says.
The Okanagan Valley is known for producing high quality fruit. But in recent years, it has been a struggle for farmers to get their goods to consumers. And as Ben Low-On reports, a former board member is calling out BC Tree Fruits for the way the co-op handled the recent decision to close all facilities.With BC Tree Fruits no longer accepting local fruit, area farmers are now under pressure to find new ways to get their products to market.
BC Tree Fruits had been in operation since 1936. In a letter, the cooperative said that low estimated fruit yields and difficult financial conditions were the main factors in its decision to close. “So, they basically said ‘You know what? We’re not giving you our estimates.’ And the board said ‘OK, we’re going to take our ball and go home.’”Many growers are now pushing for government support, though Agriculture Minister Pam Alexis says the province can only do so much when it comes to the co-op.
Singhlalli says options are limited and “there is no capacity for packers in the valley to pack 60,000 tons.”
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