Due to extreme weather fluctuations in January, the Okanagan region, renowned for its delectable peaches, cherries, and other fresh fruits, has been dealt a severe blow to its 2024 harvest. Growers have dubbed it a “perfect storm” as the region first experienced unseasonably warm weather that encouraged fruit trees to bud, only to be followed by a sudden plunge in temperatures to approximately -27 degrees Celsius, killing off the buds and decimating the fruit crop.
Sharla Dube, owner of the Cherry Pit in Calgary, who typically sells significant quantities of fresh B.C. fruit during the summer months, expressed her dismay, “About three weeks ago, I received a call from one of my primary growers who informed me he couldn’t locate a single blossom on any of his trees.”
“The consensus is that there will be no peaches, nectarines, apricots, or other soft-stoned fruit from the B.C. region,” stated Dube.
In response to this setback, Jennifer Deol, co-owner of There and Back Again Farms in Kelowna, B.C., explained, “We will be outsourcing to various locations from which we do not typically purchase. Ontario and Washington have an abundance of peaches, so we anticipate having peaches for the season.”
However, there are concerns about whether the imported fruit will match the quality of the local produce. “I may be biased, but I believe B.C. produces the finest fruit in North America,” remarked Dube.
While initial fears suggested a similar fate for the cherry crop, it appears that a small harvest may be possible from the southern Okanagan, particularly around Oliver and Osoyoos. “The price may be slightly higher, but since there isn’t much fruit on the trees, the cherries should be larger and more flavorful,” said Dube.
Despite the setback, farmers remain optimistic. “The positive aspect for B.C. is that the trees have not been harmed, so we are hopeful for a bumper crop next year,” added Dube.
