Approximately 30 growers gathered in front of Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 Ramada Inn on Wednesday morning (June 5) where members of the BC Tree Fruit Cooperative (BCTFC) were meeting.

The gathering followed a protest at the BCTFC offices on May 29.

READ MORE: Growers and farmers protest at BC Tree Fruits Cooperative in Kelowna

Growers害羞草研究所� concerns are numerous, including less than promised payment for crops, and a lack of communication from the BCTFC.

Speaking on behalf of growers, Amarjit Lali said that the average packing house price for apples this year is 13 cents per pound, but the cost of production is 34 cents.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檝e seen a 12 per cent decrease in the value of my crop, and some growers have seen drastic reductions of up to 50 per cent. The crop was mishandled and the growers are paying for it.害羞草研究所�

Lali added that growers were promised 40 cents a pound when a new packing house was built in Oliver in 2023, despite their objections.

害羞草研究所淲ell, the money has been spent and the return is 13 cents. Somebody has to be held accountable.害羞草研究所�

The average price has been running between 13 and 19 cents a pound for the past five years, Lali said.

READ MORE: Farmers protest BC Tree Fruits surprise facility move from Kelowna to Oliver

Growers are not paid up-front for their crops instead the BCTFC provides a projected price and farmers are given four advances throughout the year.

Some growers 害羞草研究所 spoke to said they got a bill when Co-op projections were not realized.

害羞草研究所淣ow they害羞草研究所檙e being told to give the money back,害羞草研究所� Lali explained. 害羞草研究所淪o, the grower spent the money to grow the apples and at the end of it we害羞草研究所檙e getting a bill.害羞草研究所�

Lali said BCTFC management has become complacent and no longer has the trust of growers.

害羞草研究所淭here have been a lot of irregularities regarding the rules of the cooperative and how they害羞草研究所檙e being followed. The group (growers) have asked for investigations to be done. The board has refused.害羞草研究所�

Lali has asked Premier David Eby to appoint an overseer to look at whether the BCTFC is following its own rules, adding growers are still open to dialogue.

害羞草研究所淭he last resort is pulling the plug and taking our fruit somewhere else,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淲e want to communicate, but there has been no communication from the cooperative.害羞草研究所�

Speaking to media outlets Wednesday afternoon, Eby said his government will continue to hear growers害羞草研究所� concerns.

害羞草研究所淲e understand that without the farmers, we don害羞草研究所檛 have food and without food, we害羞草研究所檙e not going too far. So we害羞草研究所檙e going to make sure we害羞草研究所檙e supporting our farmers in the province.害羞草研究所�

Capital News has reached out to the BCTFC for comment.

READ MORE: 害羞草研究所榃e need to fight害羞草研究所�: Farmers rally in Okanagan as BC NDP gather for retreat