Fruit growing is big business

Photo: Contributed

The tree fruit industry is big business in B.C.

How big is the tree fruit industry in B.C.?

The provincial government reports that in 2016, B.C. fruit growers produced more than 128,000 tonnes (128,000,000 kg) of apples, cherries, peaches, pears, plums/prunes, nectarines and apricots.

The total represents close to one-third of Canadian production and over $116 million in farm cash receipts.

The government is reminding orchardists that they have until Nov. 15 to apply for replant funding as they prepare for next year's growing season.

The replant program helps growers replace fruit trees with new, high-value fruit such as ambrosia and honeycrisp apples as well as late-season cherries.

As tastes change, the newer varieties meet consumer demands locally and around the globe.