Recent U.S. tariffs have shifted focus towards local procurement, but British Columbian farmers face hurdles. Gagan Singh, an Abbotsford blueberry farmer, highlights the high farming costs as a primary challenge for the B.C. agriculture sector.
Singh organized town halls to explore solutions, urging consumers to consider the origins of their food. "You'll start becoming aware that Canadian produce is going to have to be expensive for the time being because it's so expensive to grow Canadian produce and there's not a ton of local demand, which unfortunately is keeping the prices higher," Singh stated.
He identified seven reasons for the struggles of B.C. farmers: competition with cheaper imports, unpredictable climate, limited marketing reach, challenges in accessing capital, rising costs, restrictive policies, and operational inefficiencies.
"Everything is so expensive here," Singh noted, emphasizing that while B.C. farmers excel in farming, they lack marketing prowess. He pointed out that less than five percent of grocery produce costs return to farmers.
Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture and Food, commented, "We have producers now that are getting their products on shelves across Canada, but more of that would be great." She noted complications due to dual inspection levels by CFIA and provincial authorities.
Singh plans to meet with Popham, stating, "A lot of people don't understand how complex (farming) is." He urged consumers to be mindful of product origins, noting the prevalence of imported goods over local ones.
Source: Global News