Small levy, big war chest
Raising funds for research, promotion seen as amajor benefit from establishing national berry councils.
By Judie Steeves T
his summer raspberry growers in the U.S. received the authority to collect a levy of .01 cent a pound on both domestic and imported processed raspberries, joining the country’s blueberry growers, who already collect .06 cents a pound on highbush berries. Approval of the National Processed Raspberry Promotion, Research and Information Order was approved in June and the resulting funds— collected on both U.S. fruit and on fruit brought in from Canada—will go toward research and promotion efforts.
“This means we will be financially supporting foreign research and promotion efforts, giving them a competitive advantage,” commented Karen Fenske of StratPoint Solutions, which is working with B.C.’s blueberry and raspberry industries and government to bring in a similar levy in Canada.
“We need markets, both domestic and foreign, for our berries. We need to continue research for new varieties, pest management and effective chemicals to ensure yields are maintained or improved. “We need to innovate to be cost- effective. We need to experiment to develop value-added products. “We need to keep distribution channels open and find new ones to sell berries.
“We need to make growers’ dollars go farther so they can keep their hard-earned success for their families and for generations to come,” commented Fenske.
Forming Canadian national councils is a tool to keep B.C. growers in the market and expand their options, she explained.
Across the border, the Washington
Red Raspberry Commission’s 2011 budget allocates more than $360,000 for promotion and marketing and research, she said. The Canadian national raspberry program, which could take a levy of up to .005 cents a pound from domestic and imported fresh and processed raspberries, could provide the local industry with more than $370,000 for research and promotion.
In the U.S., the blueberry council’s research, promotion and marketing budget has been more than $2.1 million and the Canadian national highbush blueberry program could provide up to $980,000 from a .006 cent a pound levy on fresh and processed domestic and imported fruit.
For that to happen, a majority of producers and importers must be in favour of forming a Canadian National Raspberry Council.
The same applies to the proposed Canadian National Highbush Blueberry Council.
Both would
collect revenue from levies and distribute it to meet growers’
promotion and research needs.
“These councils will be run by
producers for producers,” emphasized Fenske.
B.C. represents 80 per cent of the raspberry production in Canada and 94 per cent of the highbush blueberry market.
“We have the opportunity to shape the future of both industries in our country,” she said.
Plans are to hold an information evening this September for raspberry growers, where a vote to establish a national council will be held. Blueberry growers will hold a vote in early 2012 to implement a similar national council.
One vote will be allocated per farm/operation, but farms that produce below a certain threshold of berries will not be eligible to vote. Details will follow in industry newsletters, said Fenske.
Logo and slogan adopted by the US Highbush Blueberry Council to bolster its promotional efforts.
MCHALE WRAPPERS: DEUTZKUHN: Welger Balers
PHONE: 604.826.3281 FAX: 604.826.0705 Dave Kruk
British Columbia Berry Grower • Fall 2011 7
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