Approximately 30 growers gathered in front of Kelowna91裸聊视频檚 Ramada Inn on Wednesday morning (June 5) where members of the BC Tree Fruit Cooperative (BCTFC) were meeting.

The gathering followed a protest at the BCTFC offices on May 29.

READ MORE: Growers and farmers protest at BC Tree Fruits Cooperative in Kelowna

Growers91裸聊视频� concerns are numerous, including less than promised payment for crops, and a lack of communication from the BCTFC.

Speaking on behalf of growers, Amarjit Lali said that the average packing house price for apples this year is 13 cents per pound, but the cost of production is 34 cents.

91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檝e seen a 12 per cent decrease in the value of my crop, and some growers have seen drastic reductions of up to 50 per cent. The crop was mishandled and the growers are paying for it.91裸聊视频�

Lali added that growers were promised 40 cents a pound when a new packing house was built in Oliver in 2023, despite their objections.

91裸聊视频淲ell, the money has been spent and the return is 13 cents. Somebody has to be held accountable.91裸聊视频�

The average price has been running between 13 and 19 cents a pound for the past five years, Lali said.

READ MORE: Farmers protest BC Tree Fruits surprise facility move from Kelowna to Oliver

Growers are not paid up-front for their crops instead the BCTFC provides a projected price and farmers are given four advances throughout the year.

Some growers 91裸聊视频 spoke to said they got a bill when Co-op projections were not realized.

91裸聊视频淣ow they91裸聊视频檙e being told to give the money back,91裸聊视频� Lali explained. 91裸聊视频淪o, the grower spent the money to grow the apples and at the end of it we91裸聊视频檙e getting a bill.91裸聊视频�

Lali said BCTFC management has become complacent and no longer has the trust of growers.

91裸聊视频淭here have been a lot of irregularities regarding the rules of the cooperative and how they91裸聊视频檙e being followed. The group (growers) have asked for investigations to be done. The board has refused.91裸聊视频�

Lali has asked Premier David Eby to appoint an overseer to look at whether the BCTFC is following its own rules, adding growers are still open to dialogue.

91裸聊视频淭he last resort is pulling the plug and taking our fruit somewhere else,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淲e want to communicate, but there has been no communication from the cooperative.91裸聊视频�

Speaking to media outlets Wednesday afternoon, Eby said his government will continue to hear growers91裸聊视频� concerns.

91裸聊视频淲e understand that without the farmers, we don91裸聊视频檛 have food and without food, we91裸聊视频檙e not going too far. So we91裸聊视频檙e going to make sure we91裸聊视频檙e supporting our farmers in the province.91裸聊视频�

Capital News has reached out to the BCTFC for comment.

READ MORE: 91裸聊视频榃e need to fight91裸聊视频�: Farmers rally in Okanagan as BC NDP gather for retreat