Lisa Braman
A recent industry research study found that Canada’s wine and grape industry is enjoying a boom time, having grown 33 per cent since 2013 to $9 billion in 2015.
Of that total, the province of BC contributes 31 per cent. Provincially, the BC wine and grape industry is a significant driver of the economy, contributing $2.8 billion in 2015.
The figures come from the recently released report “Canada’s Wine Economy – Ripe, Robust, Remarkable”, authored by Frank, Rimerman and Company.
“Our wine and grape industry is seeing phenomenal growth,” says Miles Prodan, President and CEO of the BC Wine Institute. “BC wineries and grape growers, the majority of whom are small, family-owned agri-businesses, support 12,000 full-time jobs in the province through economic impacts.”
British Columbia is home to approximately 929 grape growers with a combined acreage of 10,260 grape-bearing acres (including wineries).
The report found that using a four-year average of grape production, approximately 27,745 tonnes of grapes are produced annually while wine grape sales totalled $47.2 million, or an average of $1,703 per tonne.
Vineyard development was estimated to have generated $3.85 million. This makes BC the second largest wine grape producing province in the country next to Ontario in terms of acreage, tonnage, and wine grape sales.
“Another reason BC’s wine industry is flourishing is a result of the provincial government’s BC Liquor Policy Review and subsequent recommendations,” adds Prodan.
The province has implemented 90 per cent of the 73 recommendations including allowing 100 per cent BC wine sales at local farmers’ markets and on select grocery store shelves. These changes are providing consumers with expanded access and choice to purchase BC VQA Wine (certified 100 per cent BC grapes).
Consumers are taking advantage of the selection and quality offered by BC winemakers. Since March 2014, provincial BC VQA market share has grown by 355,000 cases and a record high of almost 17%; BC Liquor Store sales are up by 110,000 cases; restaurants up by 48,000 cases and private liquor stores are up by 31% or 72,000 cases.
The number of wineries in BC is also increasing. In 2005, approximately 81 wineries were in operation. Currently, 275 grape wineries are licensed in the province, most of which are open to the public for tastings, tours, and special events.
BC wineries are also home to many award-winning restaurants, often open year-round, that offer farm-to-table local fare. And visitors are loving it.
Wine Economy
The report showed that one million tourists visited BC wineries in 2015, generating an economic impact of $600 million.
To support the growth of winery visits, the BC Wine Institute developed a Wine and Culinary Tourism Strategy.
Now entering year two of the strategy, the focus is on growing the number of visitors to BC Wine Country from the Lower Mainland of BC, and neighbouring Alberta and Washington State.
As the title says, the BC wine and grape industry is certainly ripe, robust and remarkable.