Fruit farmers in British Columbia, Canada have been experiencing unproductive growing seasons due to changing weather patterns, leaving their fruit trees barren, BC Business reported. 

With significantly less harvest to work with, these farmers are accumulating financial losses in the seven-figure territory. 

What's happening?

Sukhdeep Brar, an orchardist from the Summerland area in British Columbia, shared that last year in March, two months following a deep freeze, he walked through his family's orchard expecting to find tiny buds to kick off the growing season. Instead, he was greeted with barren peach trees. 

"There's nothing here," Brar said, per BC Business. 

He did not see a single peach the entire growing season. 

Their cherry trees did bloom, but many of the blossoms were dead or contained no fruit. 

Despite losing his crops, Brar still had to finance the farm's growing operations, driving him into debt over seven figures. 

Over the past few years, fruit farmers like Brar have faced challenge after challenge in maintaining their livelihoods, trying to weather heavy rains, severe frost, drought conditions, extreme heat and wildfires. 

"Many growers have exited the industry, [Brar] says, and more are thinking of following suit. Others are still going but wondering why they're doing it," reads BC Business's report. 

Why is crop failure concerning?

Farmers endure a lot of mental stress that many consumers do not see behind the scenes. With the unusual weather patterns we've been having in recent years, farmers have to do their best to adapt to stay profitable. 

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Fruit farmers, however, cannot participate in crop rotation to improve their harvest yields. These farmers have dedicated fruit trees that must produce fruit, or else they risk significant financial loss.

Crop failure is becoming more common for many farmers as warmer weather and extreme weather events threaten optimal growing conditions. As the cost of production rises, average consumers will see inflated grocery prices, making food and daily living more expensive. 

Failed crops also waste energy, water and fertilizer for little to no return. 

What's being done about crop failure?

Since 2020, the British Columbia government has dedicated more than $225 million to support fruit farmers, per BC Business. $100 million of that budget was used to replace damaged fruit trees, as well as grape and berry crops.

In February, the British Columbia government set aside another $10 million to support fruit tree growers, per BC Business. 

The government's financial assistance throws fruit farmers a lifeline to recoup some of their losses.

However, agroecologists urge that more research must be done to find effective agricultural solutions to adapt to changing climates.

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