‘Not good news’: Farmers stunned as BC Tree Fruits announces surprise closure
Global News
BC Tree Fruits Collective announced its sudden closure on Friday, sending its member farmers scrambling to find new ways to get their produce to market.
The logo has been well-known throughout British Columbia for decades: a green leaf emblazoned with the words BC Tree Fruits.
Today, the member-owned marketing collective behind the brand, BC Tree Fruits Cooperative, is closing its doors — and B.C. fruit farmers are scrambling to get their products to market.
In a letter to its members obtained by Global News, the 88-year-old organization said, “It is with profound sadness that we must inform you that BC Tree Fruits Collective will not be receiving fruit beginning today, Friday, July 26, 2024. We recommend that you immediately search for another alternative to market your fruit for the balance of the 2024 season.”
The letter continued, saying “On July 25, 2024, the board of directors determined that due to extremely low estimated fruit volumes and difficult market conditions, the cooperative would not be able to effectively operate the business and provide pool returns to growers.
“BC Tree Fruits Cooperative and all its subsidiaries are taking steps to obtain court direction and assistance to properly wind down the Cooperative to maximize recovery for all stakeholders.”
Global News has reached out to BC Tree Fruits for comment.
For B.C. fruit farmers, the announcement was a bombshell.
“There’s probably 300 growers looking for a place to find a home for their fruit for this upcoming crop,” said Mike Mitchell, a fourth-generation fruit farmer in Lake Country.
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