An apple farmer in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley reports that his orchard is bouncing back following last year’s severe drought. Stephen Van Meekeren, a third-generation fruit grower based in Lakeville, N.S., expressed astonishment at the unprecedented dry spell that afflicted the province in 2025.
The Canadian Drought Monitor noted that certain regions of Nova Scotia encountered a once-in-50-year drought, resulting in tree loss, diminished yields, and smaller fruit sizes for farmers like Van Meekeren. However, the current year shows signs of improvement.
Van Meekeren remarked, “We’ve received more consistent rainfall, and the trees have rebounded quite well. The fruit size is satisfactory, and the trees appear to be in good health. Healthy trees are crucial for producing delicious, high-quality fruit.”
Emily Lutz, the executive director of the Nova Scotia Fruit Growers’ Association, mentioned a cautious optimism within the industry due to the more favorable present conditions. Nonetheless, the recovery process remains gradual for many farmers.
Lutz highlighted that some trees did not survive the severe drought, leading to ongoing challenges. Nevertheless, surviving trees are yielding a relatively normal-sized crop, indicating positive progress.
Last year, fruit growers and farmers experienced tense times as their crops suffered in the extreme heat and arid conditions. Some incurred significant financial losses due to reduced apple quantities available for sale. Even the surviving fruit often fell short of market standards.
A portion of the undersized fruit found its way to secondary markets for juice, processed apples, and pies. However, Lutz noted that even these markets prefer larger fruit sizes over smaller ones.
Looking ahead, Van Meekeren expressed hope that no major adverse weather events will impede the orchard’s progress. He mentioned concerns about potential hurricanes or tropical storms that could harm the trees but remained optimistic about a successful harvest season.
In summary, the apple orchards in Nova Scotia are showing signs of recovery after the challenging drought of the previous year, offering a glimpse of hope for farmers and fruit growers in the region.