BC To Face Massive Price Spikes For Fruits and Vegetables

A report commissioned by Vancity released today warns that prices for fruits and vegetables in BC could increase up to 34% this year.

The report, entitled Wake up Call: California Drought & BC’s Food Security, indicates:

• In 2010, 67% of BC vegetable imports came from the U.S., over half of which was produced in California, including 95% of all broccoli and 74% of all lettuce.
• Between 1996 and 2011 in B.C., local crop production has decreased by 52% in the case of broccoli and 34% in the case of lettuce.
• Since 1991, local crop production in B.C. has dramatically decreased, including vegetable crops, which have fallen by 20.4 per cent.
• Between July 2013 and 2014, produce prices in B.C. have increased between 5.7% and 9.6%.
• If current trends continue, prices for many fruit and vegetables are predicted to increase by 25%-50% by 2019, adding an extra $30-$60 to the average B.C. household’s monthly grocery bill.
• Paying $7 for a pound of broccoli could be a reality in five years.
• When comparing current production to recommendations for dietary consumption outlined in Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating, B.C.’s food self reliance drops to 34%.

Aquaponics is the solution because it consumes a fraction of the water required by traditional soil based agriculture. It is also a great way to produce food locally in Vancouver because it can be done in an urban environment. To learn how to produce food using aquaponics sign up for a local workshop.