Elected officials and producers at Brarstar Orchards on CCLSP's second Agriculture in Action bus tour (photo courtesy of the CCLSP)

By Liam Verster

Crop Producers Optimistic

Okanagan crops rebounding as tree fruit and grape producers partner on projects

May 7, 2025 | 4:00 PM

The regional tree fruit and grape sectors are reportedly rebounding.

A release from the Kelowna-based Cross-Commodity Leadership Support Project (CCLSP) said early crops were showing signs of renewal and resilience, adding collaborative projects and expanded global interest in Canadian produce, growers and industry leaders were leading people to be optimistic for the Okanagan’s and B.C.’s 2025 crops.

“This season just feels different,” Walter Makepeace, owner of Makepeace Organic Farms and member of the Cross-Commodity Advisory Council, stated.

“You can see the health in the vines and the blossoms. It’s a welcome shift from the struggle of past years.”

The CCLSP stated cherry crops were already strong, export programs were in the process of connecting to numerous markets around the world, and apple crop sold out two months early. Additionally, domestic campaigns were ramping up to prioritize homegrown fruit in response to ongoing trade tensions with the United States.

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“Canadian consumers are showing incredible support for local,” Sukhpaul Bal, Chair of the B.C. Cherry Association, said.

“There’s a real sense of pride in choosing Canadian-grown, and it’s translating into strong demand from coast to coast.”

The CCLSP, a pilot initiative bringing together the tree fruit and wine grape sectors, launched nine programs over the past year and secured over $900,000 in project funding. Those included agricultural bus tours, expanding the B.C. Decision Aid system to include wine grapes, collaborations with the B.C. Agricultural Climate Action Research Network to translate research into briefs for producers, developing domestic labour strategies, and pilot clean plant material imports without fumigation.

“Our progress shows what’s possible when we work together,” Kellie Garcia, Director for CCLSP, said.

“Even with limited capacity, we’re solving problems and creating momentum. It’s encouraging to see so many people step forward to support the sector and each other.”

The agency noted there were still challenges to face, such as labour shortages, policy misalignment, and climate volatility, though also believed B.C. was leading the way in responding to global disruptions and was confident in the sectors’ ability to rebound.