AgTech Challenge Drives Canada’s Berry Supply

AgTech Challenge Drives Canada’s Berry Supply Canada is often viewed as a nation of agricultural plenty, but surprisingly, it sources up to 80% of its produce from other countries due to its short growing season. These climate conditions make the country vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions, climate change, and geopolitical instability. In 2022, the Weston Family Foundation recognized the need to strengthen Canada’s domestic food security and launched its $33-million Homegrown Innovation Challenge to help bring together Canadian farmers, growers, academics and entrepreneurs. The Foundation’s goal was to reduce Canada’s dependence on imports, focusing on fresh berries as an ideal test crop for sustainable, technologically advanced agriculture. Four teams, including BeriTech Inc., advanced to the final phase of the Foundation’s Challenge. Each team was awarded $5 million to expand their projects over the next three years. Based in Chilliwack, B.C., BeriTech Inc. is collaborating with Simon Fraser University (SFU) to develop a solution for growing off-season blueberries, raspberries and blackberries in Canada. They’re combining plant breeding, genomics, controlled environment agriculture technologies, and advanced horticultural methods to close a billion-dollar import gap and strengthen national food security. Their approach integrates these berries into a single system, alternating between dormancy and fruiting periods to allow for year-round harvesting. Rodrigo Santana, BeriTech’s CEO, highlights Canada’s need. “We have a seasonal climate with growing season constraints. Our berry production is seasonal, but consumption is year-round. On average, 75% of all fresh fruits consumed in Canada are imported, and the import value of berries alone is around 1.5 billion dollars per year.” BeriTech’s greenhouse infrastructure is specifically designed for berries, emphasizing a “less is more” philosophy. The goal is to extend the harvest season, maximize the use of existing labor and equipment, and help growers generate steady, year-round revenue. Advanced greenhouse technology and sophisticated techniques will enable intercropping and continuous fruit supply while keeping costs in check. The SFU-led team, along with partners such as the University of British Columbia and leading berry growers, is also developing new gene-edited berry varieties suitable for greenhouse cultivation. Commercial demonstration trials are currently underway, with ongoing refinements planned over the next three years. Santana emphasizes that Canadian consumers value more than just affordability. “Canadians want high quality, great taste, transparency and traceability. It’s exactly what our value proposition of freshness, sustainability, safety and consistency is about in comparison to off-season imported berries.” BeriTech’s vision is to provide a dependable, domestic supply of “Made in Canada” berries for consumers, retailers and farmers. For growers, nearby greenhouses provide off-season income and better use of infrastructure. For retailers and consumers, this results in fresher, more sustainable, and flavorful fruit available year-round. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, BeriTech Inc., 41510 No. 3 Rd., Chilliwack, B.C., Canada V2R 5G1 (rodrigo@beritech.ca; www.beritech.ca).

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