Canadian potato growers are showing confidence in a new national body established to improve the marketing of their crop.
With Saskatchewan and Quebec joining United Potato Growers of Canada this month, the organization now represents more than 96 percent of Canadian potato acreage. It already has membership from Manitoba, Alberta, Ontario, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.
The aim of UPGC, formed earlier this year, is to improve the marketing of potatoes by developing better market information. The group plans to build stronger communication and co-operation among grower organizations across Canada and with its sister organization, United Potato Growers of America.
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“First off, we’d like to find out exactly what our markets are, where they are and how big they are and educate people toward that,” said Garry Sloik, chair of UPGC. “Our big thrust is going to be trying to improve the statistics and market information.”
That kind of information could help influence potato seedings and reduce overproduction, which can harm prices. Last year, potato growers across much of the continent reduced acres planted, helping restore profitability.
Member organizations of UPGC are encouraging growers to reduce this year’s plantings by an additional five percent from 2005 levels.
In Canada, P.E.I. has been a leader in that effort by establishing a buydown program. Growers there are paid $200 for every acre taken out of potato production. P.E.I. growers cut production by 10,000 acres last year and aim to do the same in 2006.
Sloik said UPGC does not have the mandate to establish a national buydown program.
“We believe that should be a provincial thing, where local organizations run their own.”
UPGC also wants to increase potato consumption over the next few years by promoting the crop’s nutritional benefits. But Sloik said the immediate priority is restoring profitability.
He doubts potato buyers will be alarmed by the group’s efforts. If growers enjoy stability, everyone should benefit, he said.
“It shouldn’t be viewed as a threat to the processing people at all and the other buyers. It’s always easier and you get a better product when you’re dealing with people that are stable. At the rate that we have been going the last few years, growers weren’t as financially stable as they could be.”
