The BC Tree Fruit Cooperative continues to rightsize its business with significant investments in state-of-the-art technology for its Oliver facility and the closure of its packinghouse operations in Kelowna/Lake Country.

The Board pledges to continue to serve growers across the Okanagan, Similkameen and Creston areas through the expanded Oliver facility with satellite receiving and storage sites throughout the valleys.

“The Okanagan tree fruit industry has been faced with many challenges over the last number of years,” says Andre Scheepers, chair of the board. “While the cost of farm inputs continues to climb, weather events over the last three seasons have put significant pressure on all growers. As a result, the industry has seen losses of fruit volume across all commodities. After many months of investigation and deliberation, the board of directors and management have decided that this is the best facility investment plan for the cooperative to continue building a sustainable future for our growers.” 

“Until recently, management and the board collectively believed that a new build in Kelowna was the best course of action. However, the sharp rise in construction costs and interest rates along with changes in the industry made the plan for a new build too risky,” says Warren Sarafinchan, president and CEO.

“As a grower-owned cooperative, we place growers first in everything we do. The board of directors and management are confident that the expansion of our Oliver packing facility will give us the capacity and efficiencies needed to service our customers while delivering a solid income back to our growers. We are taking the fiscally responsible path to modernization, which allows us to re-invest funds toward our growers and diversify at the same time.”

When asked about the fate of the land originally slated for the new building in Kelowna, Sarafinchan replied, “We are currently visioning many options for that location that will diversify our business while benefitting our grower base. BC Tree Fruit Cooperative will continue to have roots in Kelowna well into the future.”

 Source:  BC Tree Fruit Cooperative August 17,2022 news release