National councils edging closer
Proposals to establish national bodies for raspberry, blueberry industries expected to be finalized by spring.
By Judie Steeves S
upport is growing for both national blueberry and raspberry councils, says Karen Fenske of StratPoint Solutions, which is working with the industries and government to bring in a levy that will fund research and promotion. The vote taken at September’s meeting of the Raspberry Industry Development Council resulted in 70 per cent of those in attendance voting in favour of establishing the Canadian National Red Raspberry Council.
Although the turnout was poor, those who attended represented the majority of the producing raspberry acreage, Fenske said. However, an additional information session about the program’s details might be held Jan. 26, at the Pacific Agriculture Show where eligible raspberry producers, (those growing more than 10,000 pounds a year), could vote at the booth or mail in their ballot. Blueberry growers attending the show on Jan. 28 will hear about the National Highbush Blueberry Council program and eligible growers (those growing more than 10,000 pounds a year) may also be able to vote at the booth or mail in a ballot. Fenske said proposals for both national councils will be submitted to the federal government in the spring of 2012.
She said development of the blueberry industry is at a critical point, with two equally significant opportunities. First, she said B.C. needs to find new markets for its production, which is expected to reach 120 million pounds by 2012. Second, the import market share, which represents more than 40 per cent of the market, has increased nearly 400 per cent since 2007.
8 British Columbia Berry Grower • Winter 2011-12
If a levy is collected, both issues could result in industry growth, she noted.
Estimated revenue is more than
$500,000 from domestic product and more than $400,000 from imports, for a total of $900,000 to be available for research, promotion and marketing of blueberries.
The global raspberry market is also growing, and establishing a national council will help keep Canadian raspberries as a viable crop. Statistics Canada data shows that, as of December, 2010, the Canadian raspberry market included about 79,000,000 pounds of fresh and processed raspberries compared to
44,000,000 in 2006.
However, domestic market share was only 31 per cent in 2010, compared to 63 per cent in 2006. At the same time, imported fresh raspberries have doubled since 2008 to more than 37,720,000 pounds while B.C. exports to the U.S. have decreased, due, in part, to competition.
All stakeholders need to contribute to increase research, promotion and marketing to ensure there’s an industry in the future, said Fenske. Growers will find more details in industry newsletters, or call the RIDC at: 604-854-8010; or the BCBC at: 604-864-2117.
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