The Rural Voice, 1986-10, Page 60r
WE ARE
READY TO
RECEIVE YOUR
CORN &
SOYBEANS
KEN R. CAMPBELL FARM
R.R. #1 DUBLIN 527-0249
WEANER EXCHANGE
Purchaser of Quality weaners to
supply fast gaining pigs to swine
feeding operators
Order buying: Veal calves tor slaughter up to 600 lbs
Buying or Selling
call
1iarru Non &duns
R.R. 1 Gorrie 519-335-3234
58 THE RURAL VOICE
RURAL LIVING
If Canadian growers of Brussels
sprouts are to increase their sales
and competitiveness, innovation is
needed. Cole crops such as cab-
bage, cauliflower, and broccoli
have been favoured by the trend
toward the consumption of
wholesome foods, but this has not
been the case for Brussels sprouts.
Although the vegetable has won
some recognition from consumers,
it still has a good deal of catching
up to do.
The market for Brussels sprouts,
which are grown mainly in British
Columbia, Ontario, and New
Brunswick, is fairly unstable for
both fresh and processing crops.
Production often fluctuates from
one year to the next because
growers plant under contract. The
buyer (processor or wholesaler in
the case of the fresh market)
guarantees the purchase of a cer-
tain volume of production on the
basis of predetermined conditions,
especially price. If consumers are
not inclined to purchase Brussels
sprouts, processors or wholesalers
will not be prepared to contract for
Targe volumes because of the
sizable risk.
To end this vicious circle,
marketing is essential. It is not a
simple problem. When a product
has no image, you have to create
one. When its image is negative,
you have to change it. In the case
of Brussels sprouts, both problems
exist.
A criticism frequently made by
consumers is that Brussels sprouts
have a strong flavour, but the
vegetable acquires a strong flavour
only when it is cooked too long.