2005

Saskatchewan's expanding fruit industry is part of a half-billion dollar national industry. In 2002, Canada produced 677,900 tonnes of fruit, worth about $517 million at the farm gate(1). Statistics also show that fruit consumption rose on average to 72 kilograms in 2002, 19 per cent more than a decade earlier. Fresh fruit made up the majority of fruits consumed, especially apples, bananas and oranges(2).

Fruit can be enjoyed fresh, or in a number of processed products including:

• Bars - all types (sports, energy, nutrition, breakfast/meal);
  
• Beverages (wine, juices, ciders);
  
• Candy (chocolates, gum, pastilles, cough drops, other snack foods);
  
• Dairy (yogurt, ice cream);
  
• Cereals (fruit added for flavour);
  
• Baker (cookies, muffins, bread);
  
• Pie and pie-fillings; and
  
• Sauces, jams and jellies.
• Other uses for fruits include flavourings, oils, dyes and cosmetics.

There are approximately 16,000 fruit growers in Canada. Canada's main fruit crops include blueberries, cranberries, and apples. In 2002, Canada exports of frozen wild blueberries reached $83.5 million, and $42.6 million for cultivated blueberries. Cranberry exports were worth $30.3 million in 2002(3).

Apples are Canada's largest fruit crop, with fresh apples accounting for about two-thirds of total apple sales. The remainder is used in processing to make juices and ciders, and/or in canning and baking industries. In 2002, Canada exported $52.1 million worth of fresh apples. Commercial apples production was worth an estimated $166 million at the farm gate that same year.

Key trends in the fruit industry include:

• Growing consumer awareness of the health benefits associated with eating fruit are leading to increased consumption. In Canada, the "5 to 10 a day for Better Health" program promotes the consumption of five to ten servings of fruit and vegetables per day.
  
• Research showing berries contain anthocyanins, a natural anti-oxidant claimed to be beneficial in fighting aging, heart disease and cancer, is very encouraging for the berry sector.
  
• Consumers are demanding reduced pesticide use. In Canada, pesticide use is significantly lower than in many counties, with many producers using integrated pest management programs.
  
• In baking, the use of fruits (whether fresh, frozen or dried) as a value-added ingredient has escalated as new ways have been found to incorporate fruits into cereals, bread, cookies and muffins.
  
• Wineries utilizing non-traditional products, such as berries and apples, have increased in North America(4).

Fruit processing is an emerging industry in Saskatchewan. The industry has grown out of a maturing U-Pick based industry, which began in 1980. As recently as fifteen years ago, fruit processing facilities were virtually non-existent in the province. It is now a well diversified industry supplying fresh, frozen and processed fruit products to the wholesale and retail trades, and expanding export markets of frozen and processed fruit products in Europe.

In keeping with recent developments, the fruit production industry is ensuring that they receive proper On-Farm Food Safety Training, and thirteen of the major fruit processors in the province now have federally inspected plants. There are approximately 30 fruit processors in the province in total, including two wineries established through the Cottage Winery Policy of the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority and based predominantly on Saskatchewan grown fruits. There are several additional wineries are in the planning stages.

In 2004, there were approximately 550 fruit growers in the province and an estimated 1,800 acres planted to fruit crops. Producers and processors originally focused on four major crops: saskatoon, strawberry, chokecherry and sea buckthorn. The industry is now rapidly expanding production to include a number of new crops. With recent developments in the Domestic Fruit Program at the University of Saskatchewan, the industry is now also focusing on dwarf sour cherries, blue honeysuckle, dwarf apples and black currant.

2004 estimated acres planted(5):

Saskatoon berry -1,200 to 1,300 acres
Strawberry -250 acres
Dwarf Sour Cherry -125 to 150 acres
Apple -100 acres
Raspberry -80 to 100 acres
Chokecherry -80 to 100 acres
Blue Honeysuckle -20 acres
Black Currant -15 acres

There are 10 major processors marketing frozen and processed fruit and fruit products in Saskatchewan and approximately 70 people employed in the fruit processing industry.

Registered Fruit Processing Facilities In Saskatchewan

• Berryview Farms - Lloydminster
• C & V Orchards - Weyburn
• Dawn Food Products (Canada) Ltd. - Saskatoon
• Gramma Beps - Swift Current
• Harvest Pie - Pangman
• Heavenly Hills Orchard - Blaine Lake
• Last Mountain Berry Farms - Southey
• Nature Berry - Air Ronge
• Parenteau's Saskatoon Berry - Langham
• Prairie Berries Inc. - Keeler
• Riverbend Plantation - Saskatoon
• Saskatchewan Food Development Centre - Saskatoon
• Saskatchewan Food Centre - Saskatoon

1. Canada's Fruit Industry, Government of Canada, http://ats.agr.ca/
2. Canadians are eating more fresh fruit and fish, Statistics Canada says, Oct. 16, 2003, Canadian Press
3. Ibid.
4. The Fruit Industry, Saskatchewan Agrivision Corporation, November 2003
5. Fruit Specialist, SAF