‘We’ve got nothing to sell’: B.C. fruit growers worried about industry as climate crisis worsens

Following a cooler-than-usual spring, the heat is upon us, but it’s not getting a warm welcome from local fruit growers.

There are major concerns for one of B.C.’s prominent industries as the climate crisis tightens its stranglehold on the world.

Sukhdeep Brar is vice president of the BC Fruit Growers’ Association. He says a lot of farmers are still struggling following the damage caused by the deadly 2021 heat dome.

“It had such a big impact on our yields, and on our trees,” explained Brar. “We’re on edge because we had the big freeze and now, we’re worried about how the trees are going to bounce back and be vulnerable and we’ve had a cold spring and then we come into a big heat spell.”

“We can’t control Mother Nature, but it is very, very worrying what we’re seeing,” he added.

He explains that there is little B.C. fruit available.

“Plums. Prunes. No peaches, no apricots, no nectarines. A very light cherry crop.”

Brar isn’t sure farmers will be able to reap any benefits from the crops that are currently growing.

“It’s been tougher and tougher every year. We’re not looking for handouts, what we’re looking for is consumer support.”

However, the latter may be difficult considering there may not be much local fruit offered in grocery stores.

“A lot of grocers are advertising B.C. fruit but it’s actually from the U.S. So, if anyone sees that, talk to the produce manager. That’s not right in my mind. We need all the help we can get this year.”

Brar isn’t sure what the future holds for the industry in this province but knows it doesn’t look great.

“The fight is to get to next year. We also say, ‘There’s next year.’ But we’ve been saying that for four years now. We’re at the point where if there’s not a next year, where is food going to come from in B.C.?”

He maintains the heat is good, but only in small doses. Long periods of higher temperatures can do more harm, than good.

“The heat coming in now will help the fruit that we have on the trees to grow. So, the heat will push some growth, however, it’s for the minimal amount of fruit we do have on the trees.”

Brar says many of the trees emerged from this past winter “unhealthy” and they’re preparing for many to die, although he can’t put a number on how many may perish.

“We’re ready for it. The climate has been just wacky over the last few years. It’s what keeps us up at night. It’s what stresses us out. The trees are our livelihood. Planting a tree takes a minute, but to get fruit off of it takes five years.

“We are worried … especially because we don’t have any income this year. We don’t have any peaches, any apricots, cherries — we’ve got nothing to sell. I can sell you a bunch of leaves and cherrywood if you want.”

He adds between the unstable winter and heading into warmer weather, the damage has cost growers more than half a billion dollars in the Fraser Valley, alone.

“Mother Nature hasn’t been on our side the past couple of years. And markets haven’t been on our side, but us farmers, maybe we’re hard-headed or resilient, we just keep going. We’re so invested in this that we’re not going to stop until we’re forced to stop.”

Brar continues to push people to buy and support local wherever and whenever they can.

“Come down to local fruit stands, and if you see a farmer out in the field, maybe just give him a, ‘Hi,’ and, ‘Thank you.’ We really need it right now. The stress on us out here is extremely high.”

–With files from Robyn Crawford