Epic cherry season expected in Okanagan and Kamloops
The cherry season in the Souther Interior is set to be the biggest one in a long time thanks to favourable growing conditions, after extreme weather events damaged crops for the past three years.
“It looks like it’s going to be a fabulous year, the fruits survived pretty good through the winter with minimal spring frost,” said farm manager at Thompson Farm near Kamloops, Theunis Bester. “We’re monitoring the flower buds currently, everything is looking good.”
Owned by Jealous Fruits, Thompson Farm is a 200 acres cherry farm located in Pritchard, 40 kilometres east of Kamloops.
In the South Okanagan, grower Ravi Dhaliwal at Orchard Hill Estate Cidery is observing the same with his cherry orchard.
“There’ll be a big bloom and a big crop coming this year as we’ve not had any frost damage,” he said. “That comes with its own challenges, it’s going to be a busy season.”
On top of that, there is a growing a commitment from consumers and retailers to buy locally grown produce, according to a media release from the BC Cherry Association.
“Together, a promising crop and national pride are setting the stage for a standout summer for Canadian sweet cherries,” the release read.
Over the past three years cherry crops were damaged by severe weather events, including a heat dome in 2021, pre-harvest rainstorms and a deep freeze in early 2024 that damaged a large percentage of developing cherry buds in the Southern Interior.
“Growers are encouraged by what they’re seeing in the orchards this spring,” said chair of the association Sukhpaul Bal in the release. “After several challenging years, it’s a relief to see the trees bounce back with vigour. This season looks very promising.”
The association predicts BC cherries will hit store shelves by Canada Day.
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