$10M from province for BC fruit growers in the face of US tariffs
Fruit growers are getting some reprieve in the form of $10 million from the provincial government after the BC Fruit Growers Association advocated for it.
“We are incredibly grateful to Premier David Eby and the government for recognizing the importance of the tree fruit industry in British Columbia and for taking decisive action to support our growers,” the association’s vice president Deep Brar said in its press release issued today, Feb. 19.
“This $10 million investment will not only help us recover from the recent hardships of crop loss, labour shortages, and fluctuating markets but also pave the way for a resilient and sustainable future.”
This announcement comes after $5 million was allocated for a tree fruit resiliency program to help farmers protect their trees from harsh weather.
Growers in the Okanagan and around the province have had their fair share of challenges in recent years from cold snaps, to labour shortages, tariff threats and the closure of the BC Tree Fruit Cooperative.
“These past years have been very challenging for B.C. tree fruit farmers and we want to make sure they are ready for this season and seasons to come,” Minister of Agriculture and Food Lana Popham said in a release from the ministry.
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The fruit growers association said this funding is because of its advocacy and U.S. tariff threats are just another example of why it is crucial to invest in local food resiliency.
“Buying local is more important than ever,” the association’s president Peter Simonsen said in the release. “By supporting B.C. tree fruit growers, you are not only enjoying fresh, high-quality fruit but also contributing to the resilience of our local food system and the livelihoods of our farmers.”
Funding will be provided to tree fruit farmers based on acreage to help them recover from the recent hardships.
“We want farmers to be successful and this $10 million will help them rebuild to ensure a resilient, sustainable future for B.C.’s tree fruit industry. We appreciate the hard work and commitment of the BC Fruit Growers’ Association (BCFGA) and its leadership team, and we will continue working with the sector to support initiatives that further stabilize the industry so people in British Columbia can depend on fruit produced right here at home,” Popham said.
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