British Columbia: Tree fruit industry revenue has increased by 51%
“There’s a wave of optimism,” said Fred Steele, president of the B.C. Fruit Growers Association.
The StatsCan census figures show a six per cent increase in acreage used for growing tree fruits and a 51 per cent increase in revenue. Apple sales brought in almost $51 million in 2016, compared to $37.8 million in 2011. Cherries saw an even greater increase, to over $53 million from $30.8 million.
One initiative, with the federal government through the Canadian Horticulture Council, will see farmers get help planting bare ground, helping to expand the cultivated acreage further.
“They’re looking at it to rejuvenate the tree fruit industry across the country,” said Steele.
Steele said the tree fruit industry has also focused on creating and strengthening overseas markets, like in South Korea and China. “Thirty million people a year join the middle class in China alone every year. That’s the population of Canada,” said Steele.
source: pentictonwesternnews.com
