British Columbia offers $10MM to struggling tree fruit growers

British Columbia created a new $10 million fund to help tree fruit growers.

According to The Canadian Press, the fund was created to help growers overcome low yields and the anticipated tariffs imposed by the U.S. government, and the money will be given as one-time payments for tools such as training, farm improvements, debt repayments, and farm wages.

“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 statement.

“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.”

According to the ministry of agriculture, about 720 tree fruit growers will be eligible for a payment on a per-hectare basis, up to a maximum of 28.3 hectares.

British Columbia says the funding is part of more than $237 million it has spent on supports for tree fruit growers since 2020.

Last July, Kelowna, British Columbia-based B.C. Tree Fruits cooperative of more than 230 members dissolved and closed its doors.  

The Supreme Court of British Columbia ordered the sale of its assets, which finished in September. 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. 

Tree fruit growers in the province have struggled for several seasons, and a January 2024 cold snap reduced some crops by as much as 90 percent.