Strawberry dilemma: Buy cheap American or more pricey Okanagan grown

Fruit stands with rows and rows of fresh strawberries in the Okanagan should tell you they’re in season, but if you shop for your berries at the grocery store you might feel like it’s a struggle to buy Canadian right now.

American strawberries are going for a fraction of the cost of BC strawberries in grocery stores which presents a dilemma for people on a budget who want to support local farmers during the Trump trade war.

The Safeway in downtown Kelowna had American strawberries for $2.99 for 454 grams, while B.C. berries were $6.99 for 340 grams.

Meanwhile, more affordable Canadian berries are ready to buy on the side of the road.

Sat Mohinder Tejay runs his family business Bilga Tejay’s Farm in Kelowna on Rutland Road North. He sells his strawberries for $5 for 543 grams.

“We’re selling at a wholesale price here, way cheaper than stores,” he said.

Tejay and his family have been growing and selling fruit in Kelowna since 2019.

He sells some of his produce to local grocery stores, other fruit stands and at the farm’s own stand by the road.

Tejay said business has been good this year, so far, but cheaper American produce is going to hurt all season as his farm rotates what it’s selling at the stand based on what’s ready to pick.

“It’s going to affect me. And they have garbage stuff that they’re shipping here,” he said. “California cherries, totally garbage.”

People across the country are looking for Canadian labels on products in stores, but Tejay said it helps customers and farms to cut out the middle man when buying fruit that’s in season.

“All Canadians, we should help each other here. All farmers, local farmers. That’d be good for the country,” he said. “Why are we shipping money out of the country, right? Why not keep all the money here?”

The past few years have been difficult for farmers in the Okanagan because of cold snaps in the winter and heat waves in the summer, and Tejay’s farm was no exception.

This year, things are looking a bit better, but Tejay did lose some strawberries recently.

“Two weeks ago, we had a (-3 Celsius) here at night time,” he said. “Early flowers died, but the second one is coming up now.”

Tejay said he’s going to be at the stand with his family seven days a week until the start of winter.