Kelowna, British Columbia-based- B.C. Tree Fruits Cooperative is taking steps to show the organization’s commitment to apple growers during a challenging period of increasing inflation, labor shortages and supply chain challenges.
Following the release of a report and its 19 recommendations concerning the challenges facing BC’s tree fruit industry by the BC Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries last fall, industry leaders have come together to address some of the biggest issues facing growers, according to a news release.
In particular, the cooperative is expanding on 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, according to the release.
“After years of fluctuating market pricing, weather challenges and rapidly increasing inflation, growers need certainty that they will be paid a reasonable price for quality apples that the market is demanding,” Warren Sarafinchan, president and CEO, said in the release. “Our Apple Income Assurance Program provides apple growers with a minimum guaranteed price return, which gives them confidence to invest in the crop inputs and labor required to grow the fruit that consumers are looking for. A program of this nature has never been offered in the tree fruit industry but is a very clear indication that the cooperative is placing local growers first to cultivate a prosperous future for the industry.”
