Fruit farmer job in Canada
If you are considering a career as a fruit grower in Canada, it is important to understand the realities of the job to determine if it is the right path for you. While the idea of working outside and making food that feeds people appeals to many, the work of a fruit grower is physically demanding and often repetitive. But for the right person, the challenges can level out connecting with the land, seeing crops from seed to harvest, and sourcing fresh produce from local communities. If you approach fruit growing with realistic expectations of the pros and cons, you have a good chance of achieving fulfillment and success in this important endeavor.
Average Salary of a Fruit Farmer in Canada
Canada As a fruit grower in Canada, you can earn an average of $52,000 per year. The actual salary depends on factors such as:
- Experience and education – More experience and related education can lead to a higher salary. According to the Labor Bank of Canada, experienced fruit growers with more than 10 years of experience earn an average of $62,000 per year.
- Location – Fruit growers in British Columbia and Ontario generally earn higher wages. The median salary in BC is $57,000. In Ontario, it’s $55,000. You can pay a little less in rural and remote areas.
- Farm size and crops – Larger farms that grow valuable crops such as grapes, berries, and fruits often have higher revenues to support higher wages. For example, grape growers earn an average of $70,000 per year.
- Tasks – Farm managers and supervisors who supervise other workers earn more, averaging about $65,000 a year. Those who focused primarily on harvesting and maintenance earn closer to the median.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Working as a Fruit Farmer
As a Canadian fruit grower, you can experience many advantages as well as major disadvantages.
Benefits
Fruit growing can be a rewarding career for the right person. Some of the benefits include:
- Working outside in nature. You can spend your days outside among the trees and plants.
- Opportunity for high income. Although seasonal, fruit growers can earn well, especially those who own and manage their own orchards. According to the Canadian government, the average annual salary for fruit growers is $61,000.
- Job security. Fruits are always in demand, so fruit growing provides stable work and income for the entrepreneurs of the industry.
Disadvantages
However, fruit growing also has important disadvantages that must be taken into account:
- Physically hard work. Growing fruit requires a lot of hard physical work, including pruning, spraying and picking fruit. This type of work can be physically taxing over time.
- Seasonal income and variable income. Although the annual salary can be good, the income is often based on cleaning time. Earnings may also vary from year to year due to yield fluctuations.
- Many fruit farms are located in rural areas, so farmers can experience long hours of work in isolation. This type of lifestyle is not for everyone.
By weighing both the pros and cons, you can determine if a career as a fruit grower is the right path for you.
Requirements to Become a Fruit Farmer in Canada
To become a fruit grower in Canada you need some basic requirements and qualifications.
Education
While a college degree in agriculture or horticulture is not always required, completing a degree or certification program in horticulture can be beneficial. Practical experience, an internship or entry-level work experience in an orchard or farm is also usually expected.
Technical skills
Fruit growers need some technical skills to properly care for their crops. You must know how to operate farm equipment such as tractors, irrigation systems and mowers. You must understand integrated pest management, pollination techniques, harvesting methods and post-harvest handling.
Daily Duties and Responsibilities of a Fruit Farmer
As a fruit farmer in Canada, your daily duties and responsibilities will vary depending on the season and size of your farm operation. In general, you can expect the following core tasks:
Pre-Season Planning
- You will need to prepare the soil, install irrigation and fencing systems, and plant new seedlings.
- You will also need to prune existing trees and bushes to improve their shape and productivity.
Planting and Crop Maintenance
- Once the seedlings have been planted, you must properly maintain them by watering, fertilizing, and controlling pests and weeds.
- You will need to monitor soil conditions and manually pollinate the flowers on some fruit crops.
Harvesting
- When the fruit is ripe, you will oversee the hand-picking or mechanical harvesting of the produce.
- You must ensure the fruit is picked at the optimal stage of ripeness for the best flavor and shelf life.
- The harvested fruit then needs to be cleaned, sorted, packaged, and prepared for selling to local grocers, farmer’s markets, u-picks, and wholesalers.
Sales and Distribution
- You may sell to local grocers, food cooperatives, farmer’s markets, u-picks, wholesalers, and food processors.
- You will need to negotiate pricing, oversee delivery logistics, maintain business relationships, and keep detailed sales and accounting records.
Best Places to Work as a Fruit Farmer in Canada
As a fruit grower in Canada, the best places to find work are British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia. These provinces offer ideal growing conditions and opportunities.
British Columbia
British Columbia is an optimal location for fruit growers because of its Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. The Okanagan Valley is a popular region, with over 200 wineries and many orchards and berry farms. Jobs here may include orchard worker, vineyard hand, or winery assistant.
Ontario
Ontario’s Niagara Peninsula offers a robust fruit farming industry, especially tender fruit crops like grapes, peaches, cherries, and berries.
Quebec
Quebec has significant apple and berry production; it is also known for maple syrup production. Jobs may consist of orchard worker, berry picker or vineyard hand.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley is one of the country’s largest fruit-growing regions, with over 1,400 hectares of orchards. Apples are the primary crop, with many farms also producing berries, peaches, pears, and grapes. Available jobs could be orchard pruner, harvest hand, or vineyard worker.
Job Requirement
| FRUIT FARM | CANADA | View & Apply |
