The fruit industry has been hit this year with a series of calamities of truly biblical proportions, literally including pestilence, plague, and natural disasters.
The COVID-19 pandemic was obviously the biggest news for most economic sectors, including fruit production, but growers also faced problems with new pests, and cherry growers in particular were devastated by heavy rains that wiped out millions in revenue.
In our annual Grower’s Survey, we asked and you answered on the hottest topics facing the industry, from how you’re getting through the pandemic, dealing with crop losses and new pest infestations, what the industry needs from government, and how growers are preparing for a post-COVID future.
The only good news in the industry this year, it seems, comes entirely from the fortitude of growers themselves, who have shown both grit and an innovative spirit that bodes well for fruit growers in the coming years.
WHAT TYPE OF FRUIT DO YOU GROW?
FS1
What type of fruit do you grow?
HOW DO RESULTS COMPARE TO PREVIOUS YEARS?
FS2
How Do Your Results Compare to Previous Years?
ARE YOU PLANNING ON ADDING MORE TECHNOLOGY OR MACHINERY TO REDUCE RELIANCE ON LABOUR OR TO MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER?
FS3
Are you planning on adding more technology?
"Our new plantings are done using the KGB training system which is easier to pick (no ladders) and therefore more attractive to pickers. It is also simpler to prune."
"Tough to do with apples."
"Buying a blueberry cleaning line."
"Purchasing a platform summer pruning sickle blade."
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO STAY MORE COMPETITIVE?
Supply management board, government with a backbone to stop imports.
Access to crop protection chemicals to replace those we are losing.
Short term work visas (ie 3 months) for visitors who want to pick fruit.
More buyers, less government interference, prices need to come down, labour availability, more automation.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO STAY MORE COMPETITIVE?
FS4
Have the costs of production increased?
Picking costs higher - local demand for pickers drove up per pound cost for picking.
Labour is in demand, thus more expensive. It's also more expensive to pick a sparse crop than a full one.
Covid costs - at least extra $12,000.
Due to Covid rules. Cost way up mainly because of labour and new rules and inputs.
Minimum wage increase increased all other wages.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE ALR, BILL 52 & BILL15?
"ALR should be abolished, it is unfair to farmers to restrict their land. Initially when it came into law there were crop guarantees as compensation."
"I feel ALR is easily manipulated by big $. Should be more open to farms earning value added revenue."
"Bill 52 - I would like to be able to have a smaller second residence on the farm that is not necessarily moveable."
FS5
How do you feel about the ALR, Bill 52 and Bill 15?
DO YOU FEEL THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD DO MORE TO HELP THE INDUSTRY?
"Labour and promote local."
"Streamline SAWP process ie. regional blanket Labour Market Index Assessment when labour is short."
"Yes and no. What the government thinks is help is sometimes detrimental!"
"No hand outs!! Just restrict imports, imports are not on even playing field re: costs and regulations."
HAVE YOU RECEIVED ANY EXTRA GOVERNMENT FUNDS RELATED TO COVID-19?
FS6
Have you received any extra government funds related to COVID-19?
"We have applied for some funding but it hasn't gone through yet."
"My co-orchardist had help with his workers."
"I have applied for the Domestic Temporary Worker Covid Benefits (up to $1000 for PPE etc) but have received nothing yet."
"Too little and too much red tape to get it and the wait."