BC Grape Industry Overview 

In British Columbia, grapes are grown in the Okanagan Valley, the Similkameen Valley, the Fraser Valley, and on Vancouver Island. The largest grape producing areas are in the South Okanagan near Oliver and Osoyoos (55% by area) with significant plantings from Summerland north to Kelowna and Vernon.

Wine grapes (about 5000 acres) are the main crop for the industry and most are contracted to the many wineries in the valley and other areas, such as the lower mainline and Vancouver Island.

Fresh market grapes (about 140 acres) are primarily sold for immediate consumption, however some are processed on-site into juice, jam, jelly, wine or other products.

Grapes need a warm climate with a growing season of at least 175 days. The single most limiting factor for growing grapes is spring and fall frosts which may prevent grapes from ripening or developing by damaging leaves or buds in the vineyards. Winter temperatures are a further limiting factor outside the Okanagan region. Grapes also need lots of sunshine and heat units. Rain or irrigation is required to develop the plant and the crop. In the Okanagan Valley, grape vines need to be irrigated because the Valley receives less than 30mm of annual precipitation as a result of being in the rain shadow of mountains.

In 1991, BC produced about 4000 tonnes of grapes. 220 of these tonnes were sold as fresh grapes. A rapid expansion of the industry has occurred in the interim as a result of very good prices for vinifera varieties. Production from one year to the next fluctuates because of weather conditions. Wineries use more than we currently produce and some crop is purchased from the US by the larger wineries.

British Columbia Acres in Grapes

British Columbia Average Price $/lb

Source BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands- Horticultural Statistics

Also See Tables : BC Grapes for Processing by Variety:

2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995

Related Areas: 

• BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands - Agri-food Statistical Information