To: Crossy who wrote (851 ) 1/4/2003 12:30:04 PM From: EGGSHAPE Read Replies (1) | Respond to Crossy.... from the farming position here, we are looking at a far too competitive market.... the government subsidises in various forms... one is thru loan payment to producer storage, this puts a support under supply and demand thus giving a higher market reading here in the states.... www.sugaronline.com might help there. I have to admit that processing is more expensive up north here, but more due to shut-down and start-up costs at each plant... the thought has been entertained to tranport southern crop to the northern factories, but transportation is not exactly free either. The main thing from my point of veiw is that we survive the pounding of over supply vs demand, foods have always been that way, oil over here runs a close second. We are by no means producing at 100% ablility.... as a matter of fact, ground is being let back to natural grass every year; but sugar, with its multi-crop sources is a tricky market, let alone that southern farms can raise 2 crops to our 1 per year with beets, and the competition of cane in the Carribean and Gulf region. Sediment up here is that we do not wish to go out of business, but steady pressure is being applied so as to slowly cause many to drop out of the running. This could be as simple as a battle between the industrialized farming and 3rd world hand labor! Most have a minimum of $500000 invested in specialized equipment, along with normal tillage and transport added.... needs a fair return just to break even.... so much on that! Marketing is the big winner here, I think your man is on the right track with going on product name and quality... the processed foods divisions will take care of the rest!
