The British Columbia Fruit Growers’ Association (BCFGA) has been working hard to alleviate financial stress on its members who have been affected by the July 26 closure of the BC Tree Fruits Cooperative. Many growers have not been fully paid for their 2023 crop, yet their 2023 Advanced Payment Program loans are due at the end of September 2024.

The BCFGA has been working with ACC and the Federal Minister of Agriculture to request a stay of default on these 2023 APP loans.  

On September 10, BCFGA chair Peter Simonsen and executive director Melissa Tesche met with Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food in Canada, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay in Vancouver. 

“We are pleased to share that the Minister has used his authorities under The Agricultural Marketing Programs Act, which governs the Advanced Payments Program, to grant a stay of default and six-month extension to the repayment deadline for the 2023 advances on apples. This will extend the repayment deadline from September 30, 2024 to March 31, 2025.

 
MacAulay has also granted a stay of default for the 2024 Advanced Payment Program advances on cherries, grapes, peaches, and plums. Unfortunately, an extension to the repayment deadline beyond the current December 31, 2024 deadline for these agricultural products cannot be made due to their perishable nature. Having marketable security until full repayment of advances is a requirement under The Agricultural Marketing Programs to grant a repayment deadline extension. 

 
However, the Minister’s authorization of a stay of default will provide all producers with additional flexibilities to repay their advances, including waiving the proof of sale requirements. The stay of default will also allow producers to effectively roll over their loans by applying for 2025 advances and using those funds to pay off their existing advances.

“We are working on making sure that producers who have not received an extension to the repayment deadline will have access to their 2025 advances before the December 31, 2024 deadline,” said the memo to BCFGA members. 
 

 

Source: BC Fruit Growers’ Association September 10, 2024 members’ note