BC Tree Fruits is making a return under new ownership and a new business structure with an experienced, fourth-generation Ontario apple grower and packer contributing to the revival.
The sale of BC Tree Fruits’ remaining assets, including the packinghouse in Oliver, B.C., receiving station properties in Summerland and Keremeos, the iconic logo and more, was announced in May.
Purchasers, Penticton-based Wildstone Group of Companies and Algoma Orchards are planning to have the plant operational in July, says Kirk Kemp, president of Algoma, Canada’s largest independent apple grower.
“We’re really confident we can get into the last of the cherries,” Kemp says, noting peaches are planned as well. “Then we’ll get a fresh, full start on the apples.”
The $22.75 million deal will mark the end of BC Tree Fruits as a co-op, and while some growers aren’t happy about that change, others are.
Kemp has met with more than 200 growers in the valley to discuss the transition. He says the majority are pleased to see the company returning and supporting growers.
“It’s been great, it’s been our fourth trip out here,” he says. “There’s good value in that brand. Just drop the co-op. We’re not the co-op anymore.”
It seemed like the end of BC Tree Fruits in July 2024 when the 90-year-old co-op announced its sudden closure, leaving many growers uncertain about their fruit packing options and some rallying for government support. The co-op’s resources were sold off, with the Wildstone and Algoma sale taking up the remaining block of assets.
With plenty of controlled atmosphere storage included within the purchased properties, Kemp is confident the new BC Tree Fruits has everything it needs to succeed in the 2025 season. Former staff and new employees have provided resumes and the hiring process has begun.
“We’ve got lots of resumes and we’re starting to work on that,” Kemp says.
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New owners remain hopeful the last of the season’s cherries will be packed and sold under the popular BC Tree Fruits brand.