The 2023 growing season in the British Columbia interior’s tree fruit growing area is about two weeks later than usual. Blossom and harvest times can vary as much or as little as three weeks from season to season. Apples and cherries comprise about 90 per cent of total tree fruit acreage in the BC Southern Interior region. Despite the delayed season, grower expectations are for a normal crop - with the exception of apricots and peaches.

While there are a lot of weather variables in the weeks and months to come, there is great promise for this year’s cherries. Cherries were subjected to bud damage, and at present predicted to have a 10-20 per cent loss. However, 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 a normal harvest is predicted this year. The apricot crop, the most tender tree fruit, is estimated to be very light in 2023 due to bud damage from extreme cold in November and December 2022.

Similarly to apricots, the peach crop also suffered bud damage last winter. However, the extent of the damage is noted to range widely from orchard to orchard.

Considering the heat dome in 2021, the extremely cold 2022 winter, and 2022’s cold, wet spring, tree fruit growers have had a weather-challenging past two years. The current predictions for an almost-normal growing season in 2023 are a much-needed ray of hope for growers.

BC farmers appreciate British Columbians for supporting fresh, high-quality, BC-grown produce. “We thank consumers for shopping BC-local. The last few years have been tough, but we are committed to producing fruit of the highest quality for your tables” says BCFGA president Peter Simonsen.

Link here for blossom time/harvest time chart: https://bit.ly/3V7G6UW

Source:  BC Fruit Growers’ Association April 26, 2023 news release