The PEI Wild Blueberry Growers Association (PEIWBGA) directors are advocating for the establishment of a commodity marketing board, urging growers to vote in favor during the upcoming plebiscite. If sanctioned, this board would negotiate prices with the province's two primary processors before the 2025 season.
PEIWBGA President Benny Nabuurs encourages participation in the plebiscite, stating, "As a board, we're recommending they vote yes. But we want as much participation as possible and for everybody to have a say. Have your voices heard."
Previously, a plebiscite on forming a marketing board was rejected by 58% of growers, with concerns about PEI's influence on pricing. However, recent price declines have reignited interest. Nabuurs notes, "After that plebiscite, we had a record price of 70 cents per pound, but since then, it has dropped nearly in half from 35 to 42 cents. That's below the cost of production. Growers are losing money."
The proposed board aims to address pricing uncertainties faced by growers. Nabuurs explains, "Processors don't tell you where the price will land. You don't know until they send out a statement in November." This contrasts with sectors like potato farming, where prices are negotiated beforehand.
The board would negotiate a base price, enabling growers to plan with financial predictability. "If the price goes up later, adjustments can be made with rebates and top-ups," Nabuurs says. PEI has two main processors: Oxford Frozen Foods and Jasper Wyman and Son. Oxford's New Brunswick expansion has influenced industry pricing.
A levy system, funding the association, is a concern for some growers. Currently, levies are collected by processors, with growers eligible for refunds in low-price scenarios. A marketing board would make levies mandatory, without refunds. Nabuurs emphasizes, "The real issue is sitting down with buyers and hammering out a fair base price before harvest."
The plebiscite proposal gained momentum at last spring's PEIWBGA meeting, leading to a formal presentation to the PEI Marketing Council. The council approved the plebiscite in January. Regional meetings will precede the vote, allowing growers to review and provide feedback on the plan. The Marketing Council will oversee the plebiscite process.
Nabuurs anticipates a favorable outcome, noting that growers recognize the potential necessity of a marketing board for business sustainability. Approximately 135 growers, farming 14,000 acres, are eligible to vote. The plebiscite is expected to conclude in April, with potential negotiations by mid-May.
Source: The Eastern Graphic