HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1998-03-18, Page 77MUM
Farm Progress '98 - Page 21A
Research a major factor in agri-food export success
rmcrs should he
glad opposites
attract.
The purity of science
and the pragmatism of
commerce may seem like
odd bedfellows. But when
the two wind up in the
sack, good things happen
for Canada's agri-food
industry.
Export statistics show
the agri-food sector has
been competing and doing
quite well on the interna-
tional scene.
The agri-food indus-
try's goal was to expand
exports to at least $20 bil-
lion by the year 2000 and
regain a 3.5 per cent shah;
of world agn-food trade.
Exports reached $20.02
billion in 1996 and contin-
ued strong in 1997 rising
4.4 per cent to $20.9 bil-
lion.
The rise in national
stats is mirrored in Ontario
where exports rose 5.2 per
cent from 1996 to hit
$5.49 billion in 1997.
To complement this, the
Government of Canada
has been actively involved
in searching out markets
for agri-food products.
It designated 1997. as
Canada's Year of Asia-
Pacific and a Canadian
trade delegation focused
on drumming up business
in countries like Singapore
and Malaysia. This year
has been
marked
the year
of Latin
America
and the-
govcrn-
m e n t
arranged
for a
delegation of buyers from
countries like Brazil and
Argentina to tour Canada
and meet with agri-food
industry reps.
The Government is also
working on arranging for a
Canadian trade delegation
to tour Latin America this
September to drum up
husiness
f o r
Canada's
agri-food
industry.
"This
kind of
aggres-
sive mar-
keting
wouldn't work if Canada
didn't have the high quali-
ty products to back it up."
says Louise Hunt of
Agriculture and Agri -Food
Canada's Market and
1998 - the year
of
Latin America
Head 1. s i a� ; . -.
Lmai. cook', U;Ut; : t t.
Web site NVWs,•.cnr,ks
(lentrall, ;-.
!-tense:
hrrkto?.
.- mberit,
,Atwood ;
Parkhdi t ;'
Division of
Parrish Heimbecket.
industry Services Branch.
That's where science
comes in.
Departmental core
research is mainly focused
on the Tong -term well-
being of the agri-food sec-
tor. New or improved
products stemming from
extensive scientific
research programs often
lead the way into emerg-
ing markets.
"Research ensures the
product matches the
demands of the market-
place. It's a tool to link the
product and the market,"
says Gilles Rousselle of
Agriculture and Agri -Food
Canada's Research
Branch. "When new mar-
ket opportunities arc iden-
tified, we can help the sec-
tor tap the potential that's
out there."
For example,
Agriculture and Agri -Food
Canada researchers at the
Greenhouse and
Processing Crops
Research C. ntre in
Harrow, Ont., have devel-
oped new varieties of soy-
beans to suit niche mar-
kets in Japan. The new
soybean varieties have
paved the way to a dra-
matic increase in soybean
exports.
LYNN
LOWRY
RR #1 KINCARDINE. ONT. IAMBERL:
FARM
SYSTEMS
LTD.
395-2615
1
Sales • Parts • Service
Headquarters for
JAMESWAY: (Butler) Silo Unloaders, Feeders,
Conveyors, Electronic Scales, Nesseth Manure
Pumps
mow : Manure Equipment - Gutter
Cleaners, Chain and Cable Freestall Cleaners,
Replacement Chain .- all types, Underground
Transfer Systems, Liquid Manure Agitators and
Pumps - (PTO & Electric). Liquid Spreaders &
Injectors, Steel Building Trusses
BSM Ltd: The Leader in AH Types of HOG
and DAIRY Confinement Equipment
WESTEEL: Grain Bins, Feed Tanks. Sttr-rator
Drying Bins, Superb Continuous Grain. Dryers
FARMATIC: Feed Processing Equipment
SUDENGA: Computerized Feed Processing Systems
Agri -Metal: Round Bale Chopper/Blowers, Motorized Feed
Carts, Bedding Choppers, Rollers,
Hammermills, Augers, Computerized TMR
Mixing.
LUCK/NOW: Stationary And Mobile TMR Mixers
WINGHAM AREA CALL.
JOHN THOMPSON. Sales Rep. 357-2018