Canada’s west coast is arguably one of the most desirable places to live in the world; the trees are greener, the air is fresher, and even our apples taste sweeter.
That’s why the BC government is reminding fruit tree growers that they can apply for replanting grants to help cover the cost of replacing trees that withered in the winter.
“The province’s high-value and high-quality fruit — such as honeycrisp, ambrosia and pink lady apples, as well as late-season cherries — are in high demand, both locally and around the world,” said the Ministry of Agriculture in an announcement made on Tuesday.
“The replant program helps BC fruit growers replace their orchard’s fruit trees with these popular varieties.”
In 2017, BC produced 137,600 tonnes of apples, cherries, peaches, pears, plums/prunes, nectarines and apricots. The hundreds of thousands of tonnes account for one-third of the entire country’s fruit production, and equals nearly $160 million in farm cash revenue.
The ministry says that it is working closely with the agriculture industry to encourage growers both old and new, and to increase production of internationally sought-after BC fruit.
Application forms and further tree fruit replant details can be found on the BC government website here. The application deadline is January 31st.
