Summerland B.C. winery says imported fruit is hurting the local market

A provincial program meant to help British Columbia’s struggling wine industry may now be squeezing local grape growers.

Following a devastating cold snap that wiped out much of the Okanagan’s grape crop in 2024, the province introduced an exemption allowing wineries to import fruit from outside the country. The measure was intended as a short-term fix, but it was extended earlier this year.

Now, some Okanagan producers say that move is backfiring.

“Fruit that’s being brought in from Washington has displaced fruit that was grown in B.C.,” said Jesse Gill, owner of Back Door Winery in Summerland.

Gill says the extension has made it easier, and cheaper, for wineries to source grapes from the U.S. rather than buy locally.

“The exemption allows them to bring in grapes from, let’s say, Was