The fungus that has slowly decimated B.C.’s hazelnut orchards over the last decade may have finally met its match.
Canadian Hazelnut in Agassiz is vowing to fight the hazelnut blight that has led other B.C. orchards to close and made it difficult to find local nuts.
“(The fungus has) become very rampant in the last two years,” Canadian Hazelnut general manager Shelley Krahn told The Province. “Back in the early 2000s, it only affected a tree here or there and now it’s widespread throughout B.C. in every single orchard.”
This year’s harvest will be smaller than previous years, but Canadian Hazelnut plans to replant with blight-resistant hazelnut trees – a process that will take about five years – and expects to be able to continue offering “everything hazelnut” in its farm store.
Check out this Province story for more news on the B.C. hazelnut harvest, plus fears the world’s Nutella supply could be impacted.
Click here for a past Farmgate profile of Canadian Hazelnut in Agassiz with information on this fall’s hazelnut U-pick and directions to the farm store.
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Glenda Luymes is an award-winning Province journalist and farmer’s daughter who loves local food.
Get in touch at gluymes@theprovince.com, twitter.com/glendaluymes or on Facebook.
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