A petition with more than 2,700 signatures called on the Canadian government to “Save BC Tree Fruit Co-op Growers,” as the local industry searches for a way to harvest and market fruit amid the closure of BC Tree Fruits Cooperative BB #:116324, Kelowna, British Columbia.
The cooperative, which served as the packing shed and sales agent for some 200 fruit growers, closed in late July. The Supreme Court of British Columbia ordered the sale of its assets, which concluded Sept. 4. Included in the sale was everything from processing equipment, packing lines, box fillers, bagging stations, belts, shop equipment, bins, racks, and more.
Debts were reportedly around $65 million (CAN) with $12 million (CAN) owed to secured creditors.
The fruit industry in British Columbia has had a rough couple of seasons, with crop losses totaling 90 percent in some areas. Co-op officials said the closure was a direct result of “extremely low estimated fruit volumes, weather effects and difficult market and financial conditions.”
But there is still fruit to harvest this season, and growers are asking for help with the apple harvest.
The BC Fruit Growers Association met with provincial government officials Aug. 8 seeking “immediate assistance and a plan for long-term stability,” and “without immediate assistance, there will be no tree fruit industry to save.”
The growers’ petition to 10 government officials asked that the sale of the facilities be postponed for the 2024 season, so existing co-op members could be given “the opportunity to have access to critical assets like picking bins, packaging, storage, and CA rooms to get through the 2024 season without more losses.”
It also requested that government intervene to “Back the loan and fund the BC Tree Fruit Cooperative, which has been the backbone of BC’s tree fruit industry for nine decades.”
In response, the British Columbia government provided a list of resources for growers to find alternative packing and sales, and introduced actions including a Tree Fruit Climate Resiliency program, which will provide funds for growers to buy equipment and pursue products not eligible under previous programs.
Pam Alexis, BC Minister of Agriculture and Food said of the Aug. 13 announcement, “Today’s announcement reflects both short-term support with more money available to farmers through AgriStability payments, and longer-term support with a new climate resiliency program so growers can plan and ensure there is a sustainable supply of B.C. cherries, peaches, apples and other tree fruits in future years.”
