Agriculture

Agriculture Land Reserve

Penticton AgricultrueLands designated “Agriculture” within Penticton’s Official Community Plan are primarily lands that are within the provincial Agriculture Land Reserve (ALR). Land use on these lands will include farming operations (excluding intensive livestock operations), one residence per farm parcel, residences for persons assisting in farm operations, farm outbuildings, agri-tourism operations, bed-and-breakfast operations, and secondary uses which promote agriculture and do not affect the farm operation.

Farming has historically been, and continues to be, an important and integral component of the lifestyle and economy of Penticton. Although the western portion of the City contains no agricultural land, a large part of the east side of the city is dominated by land used for agricultural purposes. Of the total land base of 4,447 hectares that lie within the city limits, approximately 890 hectares or 20 percent is designated part of the ALR. Over the past 10 years the grape and wine production industries have shown steady growth. There are now 10 wineries within Penticton’s city limits. The local economy directly benefits from the burgeoning grape and wine industries as does the agri-tourism sector.

Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre

The Pacific Agri-food Research Centre (PARC), located just north of Penticton, was established in 1914. Its research programs are designed to serve the tree fruit, grape and the food processing industries both locally and throughout Canada. The three broad areas of expertise at the Centre are Horticulture and Environment, Food Science and Biotechnology…  Learn about the Pacific Agri-food Research Centre.

Tree Fruits Sector

Tree Fruit SectorTree fruits continue to be a significant contributor to the economy of the Okanagan region with over 1,200 growers and 17,665 acres in tree fruits. The trend today is high density planting with dwarf varieties and specialty fruits. Tree fruit, vegetable, and cattle production form an important base for secondary manufacturing in the area. Although primary agricultural-based employment continues in a long-term decline, it still provides direct employment for approximately 2 percent of the labour force.

An average of 55 percent of all labour in the orchards is provided by the family and they make up 80 percent of the skilled workforce. For picking, pruning and thinning some additional seasonal workers are hired. There is no shortage of seasonal workers with about 1,200 being hired during the season. Sixty-one percent are locals and 39 percent come out of the area or province and they tend to follow the crop cycle through the Valley.

The South Okanagan valley has one of the longest growing seasons in Canada, extensive areas of farmland under irrigation, rapidly expanding markets nearby, and is attracting new value added agricultural products.

Penticton offers many investment opportunities in food production, packaging and processing. The Pacific Agri-food Research Centre continues to undertake research and development work on new agricultural products and to improve the existing varieties.

Questions? Contact Penticton Economic Development

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