The Rural Voice, 1981-01, Page 15VOICE OF A FARMER
Improve our
export market
As we enter a new year almost all of us make some plans to
do better. Farm commodity organizations, too, make plans on
how to serve their members best. One of the areas where
improvement is needed. and possible, is in the export market.
Traditionally, farmers have been looking for government to do
it, and that just doesn't work.
The Ontario Bean Producers Marketing Board was the first
group to be dissatisfied with the sales efforts of the dealers.
Perhaps understandably, dealers were not too keen to spend
considerable amounts of money developing new markets when
they could sell all Ontario produced beans at home and at 'ome.
in Britain. It clearly wasn't their job to seek markets and then ask
farmers to produce for that market. That was the job of the
farmers.
When bean producers decided they wanted to expand their
industry, they received extensive help from government
departments and markets for Ontario beans have mushroomed
all over the world.
Some pork marketing boards. notably Saskatchewan's, have
been active on world markets, often drawing the ire of meat
packing executives. who argued that it was silly and needless
duplication to come toa foreign importer and meet a number of
marketing board representatives seeking business too. What
these executives conveniently forget to mention arethat agents
from other packing houses are there too, competing with each
other.
The soybean board has made some weak efforts in foreign
sales and the egg board has made some moves to sell surplus
eggs to the Arab countries.
There may be more, but most of it is done hesitantly and
without real conviction.
What is badly needed is a sense of confidence Canadian
farmers can compete with anyone in the world when it comes to
food production.
I will always remember how my Dad was reduced to poverty.
He was tailor, and everyone said, a good one, But he had the
misfortune to be at the peak of his productive years when the
ready-made factory clothing came to 4he stores.
In hindsight, he should have increased the price of his work,
because it was something special; handmade. Instead, he didn't
recognize his potential and cut his prices to compete with the
sweatshops.
The same applies to our products. California tomatoes are
reputed to be leathery and tasteless because they are a mass
product. Our Canadian growers should increase their prices and
sell tomatoes to Californians as a special product. Fly it over so it
really will be fresh.
Now what about "cold climate" peaches at a premium price?
Or special "northern" cherries from Canada? Give the
interested consumer a guaranteed quality product, inspected by
officials of the particular marketing board, and see what
happens.
Doesn't "Canadian" bacon sell at a premium in the USA?
Doesn't "Danish" canned bacon sell in the USA? Doesn't
"Gouda" or "Camembert" cheese sell in Canada?
Like the bean dealers, packers and canners won't spend
uncertain money, but producers should.
A Happy New Year and high prices with low inputs.
Greebn9s�
All.
Hoping all the bright days
of your Christmas
will glow with
delight. Thanks.
RADFORD'S
GARAGE LTD.
Londesboro
• Blyth 523-4519
• Clinton 482-9221
special chorus
of thanks
for year
support.
SEAFORTH 521.0120
FARM EQUIPMENT LIMITED ah
SEAFORTH • AYR • CAMBRIDGE • WOODSTOCK
THE RURAL VOICE/JANUARY 1981 PG. 15