Moncton, New Brunswick, – Farm Credit Canada (FCC) is offering support to customers in the wild blueberry sector in Atlantic provinces and in Quebec who could be facing financial hardship as a result of widespread excessive moisture during the 2023 growing and crop season, in addition to pollination issues and poor-quality harvest.
High inventory and the anticipation of a lower market price may also contribute to cash flow shortfalls, particularly in the fall and winter.
FCC’s support will provide producers and processors the relief needed to make their loan interest payments while they navigate through financial losses.
“We’ve been watching the wild blueberry harvest closely in the Atlantic provinces and in Quebec, and we see the challenges some producers are up against,” said Louis Turcotte, FCC senior vice-president of Quebec and Atlantic operations. “We know that each producer’s situation is unique and encourage our customers to reach out as soon as possible to discuss their needs so we can work together on a plan that makes sense for their operations.”
Although customer support is targeted to specific locations, FCC offers flexibility to all customers through challenging business cycles and unpredictable circumstances on a case-by-case basis.
Wild blueberry customers in the Atlantic provinces and Quebec are encouraged to contact their FCC relationship manager or the FCC Customer Service Centre at 1-888-332-3301 to discuss their individual situation and options.
FCC is Canada’s leading agriculture and food lender, dedicated to the industry that feeds the world. FCC employees are committed to the long-standing success of those who produce and process Canadian food by providing flexible financing, AgExpert business management software, information and knowledge. FCC provides a complement of expertise and services designed to support the complex and evolving needs of food businesses. As a financial Crown corporation, FCC is a stable partner that reinvests profits back into the industry and communities it serves. For more information, visit fcc.ca.
Source : FCC-FAC