“British Columbia is so fortunate to have the people we rely on for the berries, wine grapes, and tree fruit that our province is so well known for,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture and Food. “This support is helping producers replant their orchards and farms, providing jobs, revitalizing their businesses, and strengthening the economy.”
Funding through the ERP helps growers remove aging or damaged plants and replant with higher-yielding, disease-resistant, and climate-adaptable varieties. The program supports four sectors: berries, tree fruit, wine grapes, and berry removal.
Early results show strong participation. In 2024 alone, the ERP supported about 200 projects, leading to the replanting of 809 hectares (2,000 acres) of crops across the province. Over its lifetime, the program aims to replant roughly 3,600 hectares (8,900 acres).
Among the first participants, The View Winery in Kelowna received support to replace a less hardy grape variety with Chardonnay vines better suited to withstand cold snaps.
“We’re thrilled to add Chardonnay to our portfolio,” said Jennifer Molgat, president of The View Winery. “This funding allowed us to replace vulnerable vines with varieties that can handle the extreme weather events becoming more common in our region.”
Kahlon Farms, a family-run berry farm in the Fraser Valley, used ERP support to switch to higher-yield and disease-tolerant varieties.
“Replanting costs can be a major barrier for small farms,” said Sukh Kahlon, owner of Kahlon Farms. “The Enhanced Replant Program has played a crucial role in keeping the B.C. berry industry competitive.”
Recent extreme cold events have devastated B.C.’s perennial crops. According to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 2024 saw major declines:
These losses highlight the need for replanting with varieties that can survive fluctuating winter temperatures and shorter growing seasons.
The B.C. Wine Grape Council’s 2022 acreage report shows about 12,681 acres of vineyards in the province, with many vines more than 20 years old and increasingly vulnerable to cold damage. Similarly, the Tree Fruit Acreage Report shows aging apple and cherry orchards being replaced by newer, more resilient cultivars — a trend accelerated by the ERP.
“Our tree fruit, wine, and berry growers do more than produce delicious food. They sustain communities and help drive our local and provincial economies,” said Harwinder Sandhu, Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture.
“Perennial crop renewal requires faith and commitment,” added Peter Simonsen, president of the BC Fruit Growers’ Association. “This program shows a real commitment to keeping growers on the leading edge of productivity and climate readiness.”
“The ERP encourages innovation and best practices,” said Sudeshna Nambiar, executive director of the BC Blueberry Council. “Replacing old or diseased plants with improved varieties has boosted crop quality and long-term sustainability.”
Jack DeWit, chair of the Investment Agriculture Foundation of B.C., which delivers the program, said: “By helping growers replant with the right varieties for changing conditions, we’re setting the stage for a thriving sector for years to come.”
By lowering the cost of renewal, the program enables farmers to keep pace with environmental change while maintaining the quality and reputation of B.C.’s fruit and wine industries.
As vines and trees take several years to mature, the full economic and environmental benefits will emerge over the next decade — but for many growers, this marks a critical investment in the province’s agricultural future.
