Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley has been in the news for all the wrong reasons this summer, with wildfires plaguing the area. For growers, the underlying drought has affected size and quality of apples.
“What started out as a great season is coming to a very disappointing and depressing apex,” says Emily Lutz, executive director, Nova Scotia Fruit Growers’ Association (NSFGA).
“Fruit size, quality, colour have all been negatively impacted by this exceptionally dry year. On top of crop loss, we are seeing tree collapse in certain regions and areas of orchard, including wilting and defoliation, to the point of tree death. Varying soil types, different irrigation levels and availability of water on-farm has meant growers have been weathering things in a wide range of ways, but some are reporting crop losses up to 50-60 per cent of what was expected.”
As Lutz recently explained to CTV News, apples must meet certain size and quality specifications to be marketed. Growers are faced with tough decisions on whether to pick under-sized apples that have no market. And with no market, how to employ your picking crew?
Concerns will be ongoing with tree health, with questions about replacement costs and up to three to five years to achieve full production.
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