The recent heatwave in BC concerns local fruit growers who are facing some harvesting challenges.
Temperatures reached a daily record of 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) on July 13 in the town of Osoyoos, and temperatures have been over 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) in the past week.
At these high temperatures, orchard operations are impacted in the following ways:
– The fruit growth at hot temperatures will slow or stop, then resume when temperatures drop to normal temperatures for the season.
– Picking of fruit (cherry season has opened) is done before noon, when temperatures are cooler.
– Fruit ripens more quickly as temperatures rise. The amount of time available to harvest the fruit is shorter, which makes getting the crop off the trees more time sensitive.
“The summer heat will add an extra challenge to getting crops off in good shape, but we want to assure our loyal customers that there is adequate supply of cherries from now through to August and even into September,” said Fred Steele, president of the BC Fruit Growers’ Association. The Okanagan is the only commercial apricot growing area in Canada, with apricot availability now for the next few weeks.
The various varieties of peaches start now and will be available into September.
“We are looking for local fruit pickers to get the crop off the trees faster than usual,” Steele said. Interested people may call Ron Forrest, the facilitator of the BCFGA Labour Project at 250-859-7503.
“Right now, we have one order for 50 pickers that is unfilled and by next week the tree fruit industry will need more workers,” said Steele.
The apple season starts with early season varieties in mid August.
The Sunrise apple variety is an early variety developed at the Summerland Research Station. Steele said they will be sampling this variety at the 115th Interior Provincial Exhibition in Armstrong on August 27-31.
“The regular apple season starts in September, and we are hoping for more moderate weather then, but the long range forecast is calling for more heat,” Steele said.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
