British Columbia: Lepp Farm Market in Abbotsford, B.C., announced it will not have Okanagan peaches, apricots, plums, or nectarines on its shelves this summer due to a severe cold snap in January. The deep freeze destroyed the blossoms of these stone fruit trees, resulting in a 90% reduction in harvests, according to the B.C. Fruit Growers’ Association.
Local growers have been warning about the impacts of B.C.’s extreme weather on crops, with wine grape growers also reporting up to 99% of their harvest destroyed by the January chill. Miles Prodan, president of Wine Growers B.C., highlighted the ongoing effects of climate change on the industry.
Lepp Farm Market plans to source stone fruits from Ontario or Washington and will still offer local apples and cherries, which withstood the harsh winter conditions.