BC Tree Fruits developing plans for 'super plant' near YLW

Photo: Contributed

BC Tree Fruits continues to make moves to protect its members amid fluctuating prices for some tree fruits, especially apples.

Earlier this week the cooperative announced plans to take the unprecedented step of guaranteeing apple prices for growers.

Now Castanet has learned of an ambitious plan to add a “super plant," or large packing house, south of Kelowna International Airport in the area of Old Vernon Road and Scotty Creek Road. The property was last used as a turf farm that is no longer operating.

The CEO of BC Tree Fruits, Warren Sarafinchan, confirmed the purchase of land for the new facility, “I can certainly confirm that we own the land.” He would not specify the location.

Mike Mitchell owner of B & T Orchards in Lake Country, meanwhile, calls the guaranteed apple price, “a win for BC Tree Fruits and a win for their growers.”

Mitchell says he feels the cooperative is doing what it can to remain competitive and the new "super plant" is another step in the right direction.

“From what I've been told, it's going to be a state-of-the-art plant,” says Mitchell.

Sarafinchan says he’s not ready to divulge all of the details yet but indicates he and the rest of the organization are working hard to protect its members.

“In the last three years, we have worked extremely hard. The entire team at the cooperatives has worked extremely hard to reduce costs, improve efficiency, reduce overheads, increase revenues, and manage debt. I'm confident with the work done to date, as well as our go-forward strategy that we will create that sustainable future for growers in the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys.”

One of the advantages BC Tree Fruits has is significant real estate holdings, like the former packinghouse property that was sold to the Mission Group for $23.75 million last year.

“We're very fortunate to have the real estate assets that we have. And we have a plan for those assets that supports our go forward strategy. So as we're able to share more, we absolutely intend to do that."

“The one thing I would say, is we are extremely excited about our future. We absolutely have a strategic plan in place, that will create a sustainable and prosperous future for our growers,” Sarafinchan says.