In a severe blow to the Okanagan region, a winter cold snap has decimated up to 80% of stone fruit crops, including peaches, apricots, plums, and nectarines, according to the BC Fruit Growers' Association. The cold temperatures have proven particularly fatal for these fruits, known for their sensitivity to extreme cold, leaving growers facing significant losses. "We're probably looking at 90% loss and for apricots probably 100%," stated Glen Lucas, the association's general manager.
Avi Gill, a local orchardist and association board member, highlighted the compounded challenges of climate crisis on farming. "There's going to be less fruit on the trees...and the extreme heat events, those can destroy whatever's left," Gill explained. The financial impact is severe, with the potential for provincial losses up to $20 million, a stark contrast to the $78.59 million revenue in 2021. Lucas pointed out the inadequacy of current insurance programs to fully address the losses exacerbated by climate change, emphasizing the need for more robust support mechanisms for the agricultural sector.
Source: infotel.ca