In 49 years of growing apples, Meaford's Jim Almond has never seen anything like this.
An early warm spell in March, followed by repeated frosts has meant that Almond has lost 80 percent of his crop, and will have virtually none of the popular McIntosh or Empire varieties to pick from his trees at all.
“I don't know what to say. As of right now I would say we have approximately a 20 percent crop,” Almond told The Independent.
Almond says that he like most growers in Ontario does not have insurance to cover such a disaster primarily because such insurance is extremely expensive, and is typically unnecessary.
“In 49 years, I have never required insurance. It is expensive, and sometimes the payout isn't as good as it should be,” explained Almond.
Fellow apple grower Brad Johnston of Barbetta Orchards has been growing apples in Meaford all his life. His family established their orchard more than 70 years ago, and Johnston says that he has never seen a growing season as bleak as this one.
“I'd say I've lost 50 or 60 percent. The warm spell in March got everything tricked into the sap coming up into the trees, and of course we had about eight good frosts after that,” offered Johnston.
Johnston said that his losses will be less than Almond primarily because of location. Though only separated by a few kilometres, the two orchards have been impacted differently by the stretch of warm weather, but the end result is the same – a disastrous crop for 2012.
“His (Almond's) maturity is earlier than mine. I'm just that much further north. And in Thornbury they're another seven days ahead of us, which is why they got zapped so bad,” explained Johnston.
Like Almond, Johnston does not carry insurance to cover him for such a loss.
“Of the Georgian Bay fruit growers, which there are not many left, there's approximately 68, and of that I'd say only 25 or 30 percent have crop insurance, it's expensive,” said Johnston, “And the probability of this ever happening is highly unlikely.”
Johnston says that in 1973 there were frost issues for apple growers though the impact wasn't nearly as severe as what growers are experiencing this year. He can only recall one year in which local growers experienced the dire situation that this year has brought.
“Back in 1945 apparently it was devastating. It was a similar situation where there was early warm weather, and then the temperature plummeted quickly,” explained Johnston.
Both Johnston and Almond are confident that the provincial government will come to the aid of Ontario fruit growers, but so far there are no guarantees.
“There are government programs, but so far they're not saying anything,” said Almond, “And I'm not too sure what's going to take place there.”
Johnston says that the provincial government has a huge problem on their hands as it isn't just apple growers that have been impacted by the unseasonable weather – all Ontario fruit growers are struggling this year, and by comparison, most are worse off even than local apple growers.
“The government and politicians know about all this. It's really grim out there. On average in Ontario, it's only going to be 12 to 15 percent of the regular crop. It's widespread, and it's serious, and it affects everything across the board. Nectarines, peaches, cherries, plums, not just apples,” explained Johnston.
As with any such crop disaster, growers aren't the only ones impacted. Johnston said that the spin-off from the poor crop will be widespread.
“The spin-off will be unbelievable. That's the scary part. For one producer like myself, I spin-off down the chain seven times, and that doesn't include the labour force that I have locally and the off-shore labour,” said Johnston.
Agricultural supply operations like Meaford's Earth Power Tractors and Equipment will see their sales fall off, transportation companies will have fewer loads to transport, processors will have less product to work with, and grocery stores will be forced to bring in apples from overseas suppliers.
As for labour, Johnston said that one grower he knows of typically brings in 38 workers from off-shore, but this year he plans to only bring in six. Jim Almond normally has ten off-shore workers but this year he anticipates only being able to hire three.
“The workforce will not be here, it's scary,” said Johnston adding that even businesses who sell household goods, electronics or office supplies will be impacted.
The price of apples and other fruits could also skyrocket for consumers as a result of the disaster, though it is too early to tell to what extent prices could rise.
“It will have an impact on prices. To what extent I don't know because imports could offset it,” explained Almond.
For his part Johnston is trying to look on the bright side, a difficult task when he is faced with the loss of half of this year's crop.
“But you can't control this stuff. You just have to buckle up and go for the ride, and hope for the best,” offered Johnston.
Almond agrees, and he too is trying to stay positive.
“We still have to maintain the orchard for next year, and I do have a decent crop of Spies, and that's where I'm going to get my 20 percent from really,” offered Almond.
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