By Lyonel Doherty, Times Chronicle
While many Kelowna fruit growers are unhappy with BC Tree Fruits, Oliver growers have a reason to celebrate. That’s because of the confirmed expansion and upgrade of the cooperative’s packinghouse here.
Last week BC Tree Fruits came under fire from some Central Okanagan growers for its plan to wind down operations in Kelowna and focus on upgrading Oliver’s packinghouse.
A number of growers protested outside the Ramada Hotel where an in-person meeting was supposed to be held, but it was later cancelled due to security concerns. The meeting was subsequently held online.
Some Kelowna and Lake Country growers say they were never directly consulted about the change in operations and held protest signs with the words “dictatorship” and “no transparency.”
The cooperative made the announcement on August 17 that it was winding down (closing) packing functions in Kelowna/Lake Country and upgrading the Oliver facility. Management said the expansion of the Oliver packinghouse will give them the capacity and increased efficiency needed to service customers while putting more income back in growers’ pockets.
The cooperative calls the change a “fiscally responsible path to modernization.”
President Warren Sarafinchan admitted this decision was difficult and complex but necessary for sustainability.
In August, board chair Andre Scheepers said the tree fruit industry is facing many challenges such as weather events and the cost of running farms.
“As a result, the industry has seen losses of fruit volume across all commodities,” Scheepers said, adding there has been significant pressure on growers over the last three seasons.
The cooperative was planning to build a new packinghouse in Kelowna but changed that course of action due to the sharp rise in construction costs and interest rates. This made the new build “far too risky,” Sarafinchan said.
The expansion in Oliver will include state-of-the-art technology, according to the cooperative. The facility is currently 11,148 sqm, and the upgrades will see the plant increased to 18,580 sqm. Improvements will be made to grading and packing lines, plus storage areas.
The packinghouse currently employs 92 union members in Oliver and expects to hire another 35 people.
Former BC Tree Fruits director Talwinder Bassi from Oliver said this is very welcoming news for Oliver.
“It’s going to be great for our town. This is one of the biggest projects in Oliver after the (Coast) hotel. I’m very happy.”
Bassi said he has spoken to many other growers who are also happy about the expansion. In fact, some are willing to return to the cooperative after previously leaving the collective for various reasons, including future sustainability, Bassi noted.
The farmer acknowledged that Kelowna growers are unhappy with the move, thinking the packinghouse should be in their backyard. Bassi said he isn’t against having the facility in Kelowna but noted the cooperative is saving millions of dollars by its decision to wind down there and expand here. Bassi said the state-of-the-art upgrades in Oliver will have many benefits such as significant job creation.
Oliver Mayor Martin Johansen said the significant investment BC Tree Fruits will be making in Oliver is exciting news for the town.
“While this investment will strengthen our economy and create more jobs for residents, it will also serve to ensure the future viability and success of the cooperative.”
