The recent heatwave scorched a number of fruit crops in the Okanagan Valley, resulting in major crop losses, according to local farmers
Cherries, apricots, apples, certain wine grapes, and other high fructose fruit were among some of the hardest-hit.
Some farmers in the Kelowna and Keremeos area suffered total losses, while others saw cherry crop losses in the 70 to 80 per cent range.
The crop losses come at a time when farmers in the area have already been grappling with a challenging season, due to a shortage of fruit pickers due to COVID-19.
A local trader said price increases are likely to occur this year, due to the crop losses impacting supply, and labour shortages.
Source: chatnewstoday.ca