By Charlene Tebbutt

Conditions ripe for fruit growers

May 11, 2018 | 12:00 PM

Producers looking for a new cash crop should investigate options around fruit production, as Saskatchewan’s climate and increased demand for locally-sourced produce makes conditions ripe for growth.

There’s money to be made in fruit production, according the Saskatchewan Fruit Growers’ Association, including around the Prince Albert area and across the northern region. Bryan Kosteroski, executive director of the Agricultural Council of Saskatchewan, which oversees the provincial fruit growers’ group, says he sees more producers invest in fruit.

Haskap berries remain a popular choice for growers in the northern region, Kosteroski says, although Saskatoon berries, strawberries and raspberries are also viable options. There are around 250 fruit producers working around the province,” he added. “In Canada, you’re seeing more of a local movement, which is really helping the industry grow in all sectors and so there’s a lot more demand from Canadian retail for Canadian-approved products.

“And also the big drive right now is fresh and innovation, and so people are really grasping that and so that’s why you see the massive growth in the fruit sector.”

Haskap berries are a fairly new crop to the province, and several varieties have been bred through the University of Saskatchewan, said Forrest Scharf, provincial specialist for fruit crops. The new varieties are hardier and grow well in Saskatchewan, he said.

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At the Canada-Saskatchewan Diversification Centre in Outlook, researchers are also developing new varieties of various fruits, looking at new varieties and various growing conditions. Scharf said the Saskatchewan climate is ripe for fruit production.

“In the summer time, we have a good amount of heat, and we also have long daylights … so we get really good nutrient content in our fruit and high sugar levels,” Scharf added.

Younger producers are also attracted to fruit crops, Scharf said. Fruits need a smaller land mass for production, and research is also being conducted into new varieties of apples and pears.

“In horticulture, you could maybe have 40 acres or less and still have high enough value to make it sustainable,” Scharf said.

While it’s best to take your time when getting into fruit production, Kosteroski says demand for more fresh and local produce is driving the industry.

“It’s actually across Saskatchewan and you’re seeing a lot more things happening across the province,” Kosteroski added. “It’s a great time to get into the fruit industry due to the drive, or the demand for Canadian product.”

Charlene.tebbutt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @CharleneTebbutt