Working With Ontario's Apple & Tender Fruit Farmers - McGuinty Government Helps Farmers Brace For Smaller Harvests Due to Frost

Ontario is working with producers to assess the damage, determine the implications and develop strategies to help farmers cope.

Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ted McMeekin, toured a Beamsville orchard today to see firsthand the weather damage affecting Ontario's apple and tender fruit crops.

Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ted McMeekin discussed frost damage to apple and tender fruit orchards while touring Mountainview Orchards near Beamsville. (LtoR) Rich Feenstra, orchard owner and Ted McMeekin.

Early estimates suggest widespread damage to the Ontario apple crop as a result of frost hitting trees already in blossom. Other crops that are reporting significant damage include pears, cherries, peaches, nectarines, apricots and plums. Apple orchards in Georgian Bay and Southwestern Ontario are expected to suffer the greatest damage.

The full extent of the province-wide impact will be known in coming weeks. Ontario offers a number of business support programs available to producers to help offset any losses.

Supporting our farmers and agricultural industry is part of the McGuinty government's plan to create jobs, grow the economy and provide Ontario families with healthy, local food.

QUOTES

"I know how much this loss means to the farmers involved, and not just in economic terms. I will continue to closely monitor the situation as we work to assess the damage and develop strategies that will best support the industry."
- Ted McMeekin, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

QUICK FACTS

• The Ontario government has invested more than $2 billion in farm income support programs across all commodities since 2003, including programs to protect producers against severe weather damage.
• Ontario accounts for 40 per cent of all the apples grown in Canada.
• Ontario's apple crop has an annual farm gate value of $63 million.
• Ontario's tender fruit crops have an annual farm gate value of $40 million.

LEARN MORE

Learn more about Business Risk Management Programs in place to assist growers with the potential effects of adverse weather.