BC Tree Fruits is focused on supporting growers and taking unprecedented steps to make things happen.
Following the release of the report and recommendations concerning the challenges facing B.C.’s tree fruit industry by the BC Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries last fall, industry leaders have joined to tackle some of the biggest issues facing the tree fruit industry and its growers. “The scope of work being done so far is truly impressive,” says Warren Sarafinchan, president and CEO of BC Tree Fruits Cooperative. “We are proud of this work we are doing alongside other industry stakeholders to improve circumstances for the entire industry, but most importantly for growers.”
The foundation of the tree fruit industry is its growers. In addition to the collective industry work being done, B.C. Tree Fruits Cooperative is taking significant steps to demonstrate its commitment to apple growers during this challenging period of increasing inflation, labor shortages and supply chain challenges. The Cooperative is expanding a program launched in 2020 by providing minimum payment guarantees to growers on a wide range of varieties, grades and sizes of apples for the next three years.
“After years of fluctuating market pricing, weather challenges and rapidly increasing inflation, growers need certainty that they will be paid a reasonable price for the quality apples the market is demanding,” says Sarafinchan. “Our Apple Income Assurance Program provides growers with a minimum guaranteed price return, which gives them the confidence to invest in the crop inputs and labor required to grow the fruit consumers are looking for. This is a very clear indication that the Cooperative is placing local growers first to cultivate a prosperous future for the industry. We place growers first in everything we do. By enhancing this program with higher guaranteed price returns for a three-year period, we are eliminating some of the uncertainty apple growers face every day.”
For more information:
Laurel Van Dam
BC Tree Fruits Cooperative
Tel: +1 (250) 808-0928
lvandam@bctree.com
http://www.bctreefruits.com/