On July 26, fruit farmers in the province were informed that the BC Tree Fruits Cooperative will no longer be accepting their produce. According to Laurel Van Dam, Vice President of Grower Relations and Corporate Affairs at BC Tree Fruits, the decision was made due to "extremely low estimated fruit volumes, weather effects, and difficult market and financial conditions." Established in 1936, the cooperative has over 330 members and operates three packing and six receiving facilities.
Jennifer Deol of There and Back Again Farms in Kelowna expressed the immediate concern of farmers who are in the midst of harvesting. The closure not only disrupts current operations, but significantly affects small-scale farmers who depended on the cooperative for sale and storage of their produce. The cooperative's role in negotiating sales with buyers worldwide was a key aspect of its operation, offering transparency and stability for its farmer shareholders.
While some farmers operate independently or through private companies, the cooperative's mid-season closure and the challenging growing season have left many, especially small-scale and family-owned farms, facing significant uncertainty. The liquidation of BC Tree Fruits and its subsidiaries aims to "maximize recovery for all stakeholders," as stated by Van Dam. The future for many in the industry remains uncertain, with hopes for new organizations to support small-scale farmers.
Source: mapleridgenews.com