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Farmers are being pushed to become larger or get out! How to NOT be one of them. |
By Helen Disler
 It doesn't matter what size it is, your farm is an ever increasing asset, even more so if you can provide chemical free, clean.
Australian conventional food prices are forecast to quadruple in price over the next five years. The reason is Asia. We are in the middle of a global revolution in the way we think, eat and live.
This week I received this news from Craig Sobey who has recently toured China with representatives from five city councils, Austrade and Regional Development Victoria and reports that there is a real opportunity for all to take a significant market share in this period.
Basically, if it is Australian and premium quality there is a ready market. Australia is seen as a source of safe food regardless of whether it is organic or conventional. At this stage price does not appear in the conversation, just consistent supply and traceability. The interest in all products represented included convenience food packages (pre-cooked), meats, dairy, wines etc.
Did you know:
They have offered an entire Australian Pavilion for Aussie produce including organics in
their premiere stores in Beijing and Shanghai. Organic Wines were the big attraction., There is a farmer's co-op representative with over five million members? (Craig told me that French wine is selling as much as $600 a bottle and even one watermelon cost $40!).
However there is real interest in China for organics (which they refer to as Green Food) and particularly food safety/ traceability which is the paramount concern for all serious buyers they met. A new Australian wide network (not for profit) company is being formed for all sections of the organic market. This is so that a pool of members can tackle the export markets together. Its goal is to give you an export premium to help make membership very appealing.
The time is ripe for all growers to stop and think about the future of their farming. What choice will you make? Your future will depend on it. Even if all of Australia's certified organic farmers, processors etc. were to unite they could not supply the market in China alone and therefore there is untapped potential over the next ten to twenty years to be further developed.
Farming Secrets is a club for farmers who want to farm more sustainably and more profitably. Farming Secrets connects them with relevant experts and farmers through supporting them with one to one help and constant support from experts in order to achieve their farming goals that much quicker. Please Visit http://www.farmingsecrets.com for more information.
Helen and Hugo Disler
For more info visit: http://www.farmingsecrets.com
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