Okanagan tree fruit growers have been experiencing ideal weather conditions this spring with reports that flowers are blooming a month earlier than normal. However, the weather can change quickly and growers are being reminded they can protect their investment with hail insurance offered jointly by the governments of British Columbia and Canada.

To encourage tree fruit producers to include hail insurance as part of their business risk management plans, the Ministry of Agriculture developed and distributes a guide to tree fruit growers that specifically outlines hail insurance coverage and the different options for them to consider: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/agriculture-and-seafood/programs/insurance-and-income-protection/production-insurance/tf_hail_guide.pdf

The governments of British Columbia and Canada subsidize the premium of each hail insurance policy in the province. A sample policy with 80% coverage for an apple crop worth $100,000 would result in $6,744 in producer premiums, with the governments contributing a roughly equal amount. Though coverage for up to 100% of a crop is available, many growers choose to purchase 80% coverage as an appropriate level.

In 2014, B.C. growers produced more than 126,000 tonnes of apples, cherries, peaches, pears, plums and prunes, nectarines and apricots. Farm cash receipts from B.C.’s tree fruit growers amounted to nearly $105 million – more than one-third of Canada’s tree fruits receipts.

There are nearly 6,000 hectares in tree fruit orchards in B.C. with the majority located in the Okanagan Valley.