Posts Tagged “BC Tree Fruits”
Citing extremely low fruit volumes, bad weather, and difficult markets, B.C. Tree Fruits cooperative of Kelowna, British Columbia has reportedly dissolved and closed its doors on July 26.
Formed in the 1930s, the organization sent a letter to its members recommending they “immediately search for another alternative to market your fruit for the balance of the 2024 season.”
The letter, obtained by Global News Canada, went on to say the board of directors could not “effectively operate the business and provide pool returns to growers,” and that it is “taking steps to obtain court direction and assistance to properly wind down the Cooperative to maximize recovery for all stakeholders.”
The cooperative includes more than 230 members, who now must find alternative buyers with the Okanagan apple harvest looming. The CBC reported B.C. Tree Fruits has faced financial challenges and grower unrest for the past few years, voting to close a packing house in 2022.
Growers held a vote, unsuccessfully, to dissolve the board of directors, and have now asked for government intervention to support the British Columbia tree fruit industry.
Close-up on woman’s mouth with cherry
By BC Tree Fruits Cooperative
KELOWNA, BC – With the sunshine in the Okanagan Valley and summer on the horizon, the excitement is growing as the summer fruits from the orchards of BC Tree Fruits Cooperative (BC Tree Fruits) growers’ are near. A combination of ideal weather conditions through bloom and the post-bloom periods as well as new production coming on has resulted in an estimated 12 million pound cherry crop this season.
Consumers will start seeing Okanagan cherries from the orchards of BC Tree Fruits in stores starting the end of June and with the anticipated record crop over the warm summer months.
The 12 million pounds of BC Tree Fruits cherries estimated for this season matches the estimate from last season – although the crop in 2017 came in short of the initial estimate at 10.1 million pounds due to weather challenges across the region. In addition to cherries, BC Tree Fruits is anticipating a very good peach, nectarine, prune, plum and table grape crop with volumes either slightly up or similar to last year.
“Mother nature served our growing regions with ideal weather conditions through bloom into the post-bloom period, which has resulted in a lot of fruit on the trees,” says BC Tree Fruits Marketing Manager Chris Pollock. “Our growers are excited and prepared for great summer fruits crop this year with harvest starting end of June for cherries in the South, with the fruit hitting retail shelves very soon after.”
The primary market for BC Tree Fruits summer fruits remains Western Canada. BC Tree Fruits also continues to export increased volumes of cherries to the United States and key export markets.
About BC Tree Fruits Cooperative:
BC Tree Fruits Cooperative is comprised of over 430 local grower families who grow a variety of tree fruit commodities including apples, cherries, pears, peaches, nectarines, apricots, prunes, plums and grapes. BC Tree Fruits head office is located in Kelowna, BC.
By BC Tree Fruits
The Okanagan orchards are buzzing with preparations with this year’s BC Tree Fruits apple harvest. Apple shipments start this month and will be running to the end of February 2014. Apple season is one of the busiest times of the year for the 500 grower fruit cooperative.
Apples are largest crop grown by BC Tree Fruits of Kelowna, BC with this season’s apple harvest estimated at 2.5 million cartons. From familiar favourites such as the McIntosh and Granny Smith to the newer and very popular Ambrosia, which was a chance seedling created in Oliver BC, a total of twelve apple varieties are harvested. “All our growers are excited for this year’s apple season,” shares Hank Markgraf, BCTF Field Services Manager and Orchardist. “Our orchards consistently produce the best quality apples in Canada, and having a wide variety keeps our fans searching for that familiar BC Leaf at the produce aisles.”
To highlight the work BC Tree Fruits’ growers put into apple season the focus this year is educating consumers on what goes into each apple. “Many people don’t fully realize the care and skill our orchardists put into each of the apples they produce,” says Chris Pollock, BCTF Marketing Manager. “We plan to share as much of the process as possible with consumers so they feel an even stronger connection when they ‘Look For The Leaf’ this season.”
Through traditional and social media, BC Tree Fruits will feature an insider look into their apple harvest. Their website currently offers a full description, including tasting notes, for each apple variety, as well as other seasonal fruit. Apple fans can keep up to date with full apple harvest and apples season details from September to February on the BC Tree Fruits Facebook and Twitter pages.
About BC Tree Fruits:
BC Tree Fruits Industries Limited is part of the BC Tree Fruits Cooperative and is owned by 520 local grower families. The organization markets and distributes a variety of BC-grown fruit including apples, pears, cherries, peaches, apricots, prune plums and blueberries. BC Tree Fruits’ head office is based in Kelowna, B.C.