New Raspberry Replant Program funding will make growers in B.C. more competitive, while increasing the bounty of raspberries in the province for fruit lovers.

“By helping growers with planting costs, we’re helping them advance their businesses and giving people more chances to enjoy B.C. berries,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. “This program will support local families and companies, and make the meals, days and memories of British Columbians that much sweeter in the years ahead.”

The goal of the Raspberry Replant Program is to revitalize the raspberry industry with raspberry varieties suitable for fresh and individually quick frozen (IQF) raspberry markets. The $300,000 program will help growers plant raspberry fields and go to strategic sector projects aimed at increasing sector competitiveness. 

Applications for the Raspberry Replant Program will be accepted from Oct. 12 to Dec. 6, 2021, to support the Spring 2022 raspberry planting season.

Quotes:

Jordan Alamwala, raspberry grower and chair, BC Raspberries –

“The B.C. raspberry industry greatly appreciates the continued ministerial support for the Raspberry Replant Program. This program will be imperative in helping raspberry farmers grow varieties that are better suited for the fresh and individually quick frozen markets, ultimately ensuring that high quality raspberries continue to be grown and sourced locally in British Columbia into the future.”

Paul Sidhu, raspberry grower and vice-chair, BC Raspberries –

“The British Columbia raspberry community is excited to hear about the renewed commitment for the raspberry replant program from the British Columbia Minister of Agriculture. This program will continue to ensure that our province will provide quality raspberries to Canadians and that our province will continue to be a leader in the fruit industry.” 

Quick Facts:

• British Columbia is the largest raspberry-producing province in Canada and leads the nation in the sales of raspberries with most of the production in the Fraser Valley.
• B.C.’s raspberry marketed production in 2020 was 5,149 metric tonnes from 950 hectares (2347.5 acres) of cultivated area with a farm gate value of nearly $14 million.
• 2020–21 was the first year for the Raspberry Replant Program, which received $103,000 as part of the Province’s economic recovery plan, StrongerBC. 
• The program provided cost-share funding for 12 producers and 18.6 hectares (46 acres) of new raspberries in B.C. 

Learn More:

To apply to the Raspberry Replant Program, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/raspberry-replant-program

Consider enrolling in other agricultural programs to protect yourself and your crops through the agricultural income and savings account (AgriInvest):
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/agriinvest?keyword=agrirecovery

Agriculture income protection (AgriStability): https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/agriculture-income-protection-agristability

B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/agri-business-planning-program