Industry Profile
BC's interior tree fruit industry represents 809 growers operating orchards that generates close to $130 million in wholesale revenue, $900 million in economic activity, and directly employs 1,505 persons a year at the grower, packer, and processor level.
- Packing, processing, selling and transporting of tree fruits is the mainstay of several industries including local bin and tree post manufacturing, the fruit processing sector, export sales, and trucking.
- The competitive advantage of the tree fruit industry is our intensive management and the dry, northern climate. New varieties of apples and cherries, developed at the federal Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre (PARC) in Summerland, are creating local opportunities and gaining widespread acceptance throughout the world. It is estimated that 80% of new cherry plantings int he world are of Summerland varieties.
- BC fruit growers are at the forefront in new tree fruit technology, converting to high density new varieties as quickly as finances allow.
- BC fruit growers are leaders in new environmentally friendly crop protection methods. We utilize highly-efficient irrigation systems to conserve and manage water, Integrated Pest Management, and other innovations such as area-wide programs for codling moth and starling control. We are pioneering the Sterile Insect Release (SIR) technology for one of the world's worst apple and pear pests - the codling moth.
- Okanagan orchards and vineyards are also a major tourism draw by providing a park-like setting for tourists and residents to enjoy.
- One of the most efficient, high-tech fruit processing operations in North America, Sun-Rype Products Limited, is located in Kelowna. Sun-Rype is the largest single North American user of TetraBrik packaging which is more environmentally friendly than most other packaging methods.
