Initial observations from Okanagan indicate a potential rise in cherry and soft fruit yields for 2025. This development diverges sharply from the previous year, where the sector faced challenges due to a harsh cold event in January 2024, impacting cherries and various other soft fruits in the region.
Roger Bailey, of Kalwood Farms, states, "Up to now, it's been suitable for cherries." Nonetheless, he remains cautious. Bailey notes, "We don't know until we get the next storm or the next drought or the next freeze, what we're going to do, we just farm to make the best cherries possible. With the information we had at the time, which is constantly changing. So right now, we're looking good."
Kalwood Farms intends to begin on-site sales starting early July, while commercial harvesting is planned for August, aiming for optimal size and market value for their cherries.
Al Gatzke from Gatzke Orchard in Lake Country remarks positively on his crop's condition. He highlights, "It's a double-barrelled shotgun with us in that not only is the crop looking really good, but the customers we have because of the latest kerfuffle going on with the U.S.-Canada tariffs — we're seeing loyalty early on in the season that is higher than we ever anticipated."
Gatzke observes rising support for local producers amidst the tourist influx: "Tourism is great as well. Again, thank you, Mr. Trump, and our numbers here in Oyama are significantly up, both at the grill, the food services, and the restaurant." He adds, "Everybody is positive about traffic, and we're excited about both the crops and what that good traffic will do for us."
Source: Castanet