‘It’s tougher than it used to be’: B.C. farmers bracing for rocky road ahead

A worker is seen on a B.C. blueberry farm in this file photo. (CTV News)

With rising labour and production costs, unpredictable weather, disease and potential tariffs on the way, B.C. farmers are concerned for the industry’s future.

“For the last two years, this has probably been the worst across the board that we’ve seen,” said Nav Sekhon, a Surrey blueberry farmer who also works as a Realtor specializing in farm real estate.

Sekhon says he’s hearing business is so bad that some farmers are barely hanging on.

“What we’ve noticed is there has been a big uptick in potential foreclosures,” said Sekhon. “So we’ve been getting those calls over the last six months where people are borderline, either being foreclosed or will be foreclosed here in the next three to six months.”

Another farmland Realtor told CTV News that government bureaucracy is holding back innovation.

“Let’s say I wanted to get something done on my farm and go through the permit process. And if I’m referred to the ALC – the Agricultural Land Commission – that process could be a year long before you get any answer,” said Rajin Gill with BC Farm & Ranch Realty.

B.C.’s Minister of Agriculture Lana Popham says climate change and rising costs are impacting farms all over North America.

“It’s tougher than it used to be,” said Popham.

She says the industry is facing another major challenge if Donald Trump moves forward with his proposed tariff on Canadian exports.

“About $282 million in blueberries goes down to our neighbors in the south,” said Popham, citing 2023 statistics. “Mushrooms … almost $300 million worth.”

She’s urging people to buy from local producers in an effort to help boost the struggling industry. She says the concerns are significant and a priority for the NDP government.

“In the last two years, we’ve invested about $300 million in making sure that farms have what they need to succeed under changing circumstances,” said Popham.

Sekhon, meanwhile, is pushing government to make significant changes, including reducing red tape to help promote innovation. He says without a shift, the future of B.C. farming could be at risk.

“There’s just better opportunities for this next generation outside of farming,” said Sekhon.