An apple farmer from Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley reports that his apple orchard is bouncing back following the severe drought experienced last year. Stephen Van Meekeren, a third-generation fruit grower in Lakeville, N.S., expressed astonishment at the unprecedented drought that afflicted the region in 2025.
The Canadian Drought Monitor highlighted that certain areas of the province encountered an exceptional one-in-50-year drought, resulting in tree loss, diminished harvests, and smaller fruits for farmers like Van Meekeren. However, this year signals a positive turn of events.
Van Meekeren remarked, “We’ve received more consistent rainfall, leading to a remarkable recovery of the trees. The fruit size is satisfactory, and the trees appear to be in good health. Healthy trees are pivotal for yielding flavorful and healthy fruits.”
Emily Lutz, the executive director of the Nova Scotia Fruit Growers’ Association, noted that industry professionals are feeling more hopeful due to the current favorable conditions. Nevertheless, the recovery process remains gradual for many.
Lutz explained, “The severity of the drought resulted in the loss of some trees, an aftermath we are still addressing. However, the surviving trees are showing a crop of normal size, indicating positive growth.”
Last year, fruit growers and farmers experienced a tense atmosphere as their crops suffered in the extreme heat and arid conditions. The drought led to substantial revenue losses for some growers due to fewer apples available for sale. Even the surviving fruit often fell short of market standards.
A portion of undersized fruits found their way to secondary markets for juice, processing, and pies. However, Lutz mentioned that these markets also prefer larger fruits over smaller ones.
Van Meekeren expressed hope for a smooth harvest season without major weather disruptions that could potentially harm the progress made by the trees. He stated, “We are hopeful that we can avoid any significant weather events like hurricanes or tropical storms from the south, which are possible in the fall. Otherwise, we anticipate a bountiful crop.”
Overall, the apple orchards in Nova Scotia are showing signs of recovery after the challenging drought of the previous year, with growers cautiously optimistic about the upcoming harvest season.