Optimistic outlook for 2023 apple, pear, cherry crops: B.C. Fruit Growers Association

‘Apples and pears appear to have not suffered too much damage and we will likely have a normal harvest this year.’

A cool start to spring isn’t chilling projections for this year’s fruit-growing season.

This week, the B.C. Fruit Growers Association issued a statement saying they’re optimistic for 2023 despite the growing season being around two weeks behind schedule.

“Blossom and harvest times can vary as much or as little as three weeks from season to season,” said the BCFGA, which said apples and cherries comprise about 90 per cent of all fruit grown in the Southern Interior.

“Despite the delayed season, grower expectations are for a normal crop, with the exceptions of apricots and peaches.”

Temperatures in the Okanagan for April trended around 7.7 C, below the average of 8.4 C, though the mercury is expected to rise to the mid-20s Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Looking further ahead, the BCFGA said the cherry crop was subjected to some bud damage, but that the remaining cherries will be larger in size, so the overall tonnage will likely not be impacted.

“Apples and pears appear to have not suffered too much damage and we will likely have a normal harvest this year,” said the BCFGA. “So far, everything is looking great for these hardier tree fruits.”

The BCFGA estimates the apple acreage in the Southern Interior at 6,700 acres, with 600 million apples being harvested for a total of 240 million pounds.