Niagara has always been known for the falls, but the juicy cherries and the sweet, ripe
peaches are what keep the consumers coming back.
Tender Fruit and Grape Specialist
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Vineland Station, Ontario, Canada
n dAnnual IDFTA Conference, February 20-24, 1999, Hamilton, Ontario.
INTRODUCTION
The tender fruit industry in Niagara, also known as the “banana belt,” is located along the south
shoreline of Lake Ontario in the province of Ontario, Canada.This small but intense fruit
growing area is bordered by the lake to the north, the Niagara River to the east, the Niagara
Escarpment to the south and the City of Hamilton to the west.The history of tender fruit
production dates back to the early 1790s when cherries and peaches were being harvested at the
mouth of the Niagara River in the then Upper Canada.In 1859, the Fruit Grower’s Association
of Upper Canada was formed and by 1872 there were 1600 members.The issues at that time
which required resolutions were 1) asking the Minister of Agriculture to remove the embargo on
manure coming from the United States and 2) requesting that the government increase the duty
on imported tender fruits.
INDUSTRY STATISTICS
The tender fruit industry in Niagara produces over 90% of the production in Ontario and over
75% of the production in Canada.The 1997 farm value of tender fruits in Ontario is around
CAN$40 million (1 CAN$ equals .63$US) annually and is represented by the various crops in
the following table.
1997 Farm value of tender fruit in
Ontario.
Cherries, Sour
Cherries, Sweet
Nectarines
Peaches
Pears
Plums
3.1
3.0
1.3
25.7
6.0
3.1
1997 Tender fruit acreage in
Ontario.
Cherries, Sour
Cherries, Sweet
Nectarines
Peaches
Pears
Plums
1900
900
750
7000
3000
1500
CLIMATE
Why is the Niagara area so successful for tender fruit production?The moderate climate in
Niagara is perhaps the main reason for the consistency of production and subsequently the
survival of the tender fruit industry in Ontario.The cold northwest winds in January pick up the
warm air from the deep waters of Lake Ontario to help temper the extreme cold air which can
damage the tender fruit buds.Vineland Station, located along the lake shore in the middle of the
fruit belt, has an average of 168 frost-free days with a maximum of 206 days.
between -8.0ºC (18ºF) and -1.2ºC (30ºF).The probability of temperatures falling between
-20.0ºC ( -4ºF) and -25.0ºC (-13ºF) occurs 4 out of 10 years.The probability of temperatures
falling below -25ºC (-13.0ºF) occurs 3 out of 100 years.The summer temperatures are
considered moderate with an average daily temperature of 21.5ºC (71ºF).The Niagara region
has an average precipitation of 837 mm (33 inches) of which over 60% falls during the growing
season.
OTHER FACTORS
The Niagara region has a tremendous diversity of soils developed mainly from glacial lake
deposits and glacial till.There are three main types of soils in the tender fruit lands:clay loam
tills suited for pear, plum, apple and grape production; lacustrine, very fine sandy loam soils for
peach, cherry, nectarine and apricot production; and a coarse sandy loam/gravel sand type soil
best matched for cherry and peach production.
Fruit growers fly in and
house workers from either the Caribbean Islands or Mexico.These reliable workers are brought
in at planting and pruning time and stay until the end of harvest.Niagara is very close to market
with most of the product going to large cities such as Toronto and Montreal.Tender fruit can be
found in most markets in Atlantic Canada and as far west as Edmonton and is marketed under
the Ontario Tender Fruit Producers’Marketing Board.
industry as the 3 million people of Toronto reach out to explore the richness of Niagara. Each
year about 14 million people from Canada and the United States visit the Niagara region.
ago as a protected tariff for tender fruit was phased out.However, a weaker Canadian dollar
during that time led to a competitive advantage for Niagara products compared to those mainly
imported from California.
and dedicated growers who have weathered some difficult years and are now reaping the rewards
for their hard work.
TRENDS
Some trends in the industry today include:
•displacing some acreage of peaches to nectarines
•introduction of white-fleshed peaches
•new plantings of dwarf sweet cherries
•higher density peach and pear orchards
•moving from open center training to a central leader system
•using irrigation wherever possible
•new grape plantings encroaching on tender fruit lands
•growth in greenhouse floriculture and greenhouse vegetables
THE FUTURE
Diversity has been the success of the industry in the past and will continue to be in the future.
There has always been a strong fresh market but there has also been a strong peach, pear and
sour cherry processing industry for many years.The growers in Niagara strive to market the
freshest produce and give the consumer what they want.Niagara has always been known for the
falls, but the juicy cherries and the sweet, ripe peaches are what keep the consumers coming
back.
ADDITIONAL READING
Bridgeman, Howard O.1967.Niagara Peninsula Fruit and Vegetable Growers’Association
1896-1967.
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.1998.1997 Agricultural Statistics for
Ontario.
Upshall, W.H.History of Fruit Growing and Handling in United States of America and Canada,
1860-1972.Pages 172-173.
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