British Columbia is providing increased support to berry, wine grape, and tree fruit producers to replant farms with climate-resilient varieties. This initiative aims to strengthen local food supply, enhance the economy, and ensure fresh, local fruit and wine remain available.
The Enhanced Replant Program offers funding to help growers replant orchards, vineyards, and berry fields. The support allows producers to increase production, improve resilience to climate impacts, and explore new market opportunities. This fall, four streams of support will be available: berry replant, tree fruit replant, wine grape replant, and berry removal, expected to cover around 809.4 hectares (2,000 acres).
The View Winery, a family-owned estate overlooking Okanagan Lake, used the funding to switch to cold-hardy Chardonnay vines. Jennifer Molgat, president of The View Winery, said the program enabled them to adapt to extreme cold events and expand their wine portfolio.
“The funding we received through the Enhanced Replant Program enabled us to replace a less cold-hardy grape variety with Chardonnay vines, which are better suited to withstand the extreme cold-weather events that have become more common in our region,” said Jennifer Molgat, president, The View Winery. “We are thrilled to add Chardonnay to our portfolio and are thankful to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food for its support.”
Similarly, Kahlon Farms in the Fraser Valley has replanted raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries with more disease-resistant and climate-adapted varieties. Owner Sukh Kahlon emphasized that the program is key to maintaining competitiveness in the berry industry.
“Plant removal and replanting cost can be a significant barrier to converting berry plantings to climate-adaptable, disease-resistant and higher-yielding varieties,” said Sukh Kahlon, owner, Kahlon Farms. “The Enhanced Replant Program has played a crucial role in maintaining berry industry competitiveness.”
In 2024, the Enhanced Replant Program supported about 200 projects, resulting in approximately 809.4 hectares of previously unproductive or damaged fruit plants being replaced.
“Perennial crop renewal requires faith and commitment. In this ever-changing and challenging climate and retail environment, it is essential that British Columbia tree fruit growers continue to be on the varietal and productive leading edge," said Peter Simonsen, president, BC Fruit Growers’ Association. "The investment stimulus created by the enhanced replant shows a commitment to our industry and to the promise of the agricultural land reserve”.
“The replant program has greatly supported B.C. blueberry growers by providing funding and guidance to replace old or diseased plants with high-yield, disease-tolerant varieties. This has improved crop quality, increased productivity and ensured long-term sustainability of farms. The program also encourages innovation and best management practices, helping farmers remain competitive and profitable in an evolving agricultural market,” said Sudeshna Nambiar, executive director, BC Blueberry Council.
“This program reflects our shared commitment to ensuring the future strength of B.C.’s perennial fruit industry. By helping growers replant with the right varieties for changing conditions, we’re building resilience and setting the stage for a thriving sector for years to come,” said Jack DeWit, chair, Investment Agriculture Foundation of B.C. (IAF).
The Enhanced Replant Program is a five-year initiative aiming to replant 3,600 hectares (8,900 acres) of perennial crops, helping producers replace low-yield varieties with premium fruit that meets consumer demand, ensuring a sustainable and competitive future for B.C. agriculture.