Repeated extreme weather events have posed serious challenges to B.C.’s horticultural sector. Perennial fruit crops, like apples and cherries that remain in production for up to 20 years, are especially vulnerable as they are exposed to changing conditions year-round. These environmental stresses have led to a steady decline in total fruit production and a net loss of $457 million in 2024. 

Despite this, B.C. remains a key player in Canada’s fruit industry, producing a quarter of the country’s fruit. With Canada importing $7.6 billion worth of fruit annually, there is an opportunity to grow B.C.’s fruit sector if more climate-resilient solutions can be developed. 

B.C. is Canada’s main sweet cherry-producing region and home to the national breeding program for apples and cherries. During this project, researchers from Agriculture and Agrifood Canada (AAFC) will explore innovative genomic technologies to speed up the development of fruit varieties that can better withstand climate stress. One approach involves temporarily activating genes to trigger early flowering in tree seedlings – potentially allowing breeders to skip the usual juvenile phase and produce new varieties up to five years faster. 

This could significantly reduce the typical 30-year timeline for releasing new cultivars, giving growers earlier access to improved options for planting. Summerland Varieties Corp., a key industry partner with deep experience in licensing new apple and cherry varieties, will help ensure that successful results are communicated directly to producers for potential adoption.