In the winter of their discontent, western Canadian farmers and grain companies can do little but stand by and watch as delivery opportunities are lost, sales contracts are deferred, financial penalties are accrued and potential markets are lost.
It’s been less than two years since Canada’s controversial decision to eliminate single desk marketing, and the country’s reputation as a reliable supplier of grain is taking a hit.
In lieu of a simple solution, the concerns of grain industry stakeholders are more likely to be addressed over time through a series of measures that involve all players in Canada’s grain supply chain, including farmers, elevator companies, railways and government.
In the words of Keith Bruch, vice-president of Paterson Global Foods: “In our view, the government really has to decide whether … it’s acceptable to them to have the railways determine the economic priorities of Canada.”
