Positive Change for Ontario’s Processing Vegetable Sector and Consumers with New Marketing Strategy
Guelph, April 17, 2019 – The Ontario Government’s commitment to improving the current price negotiation and marketing system for tomatoes and other processing vegetables is positive news for the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Processors Association and Food and Beverage Ontario.
With 16 vegetable processing facilities and 343 growers, this sector which prides itself in producing ‘made in Ontario’ nutritious and high-quality food has faced challenges with growth and competitiveness. Production has decreased, investment has stalled and imported product continues to rise.
“There is so much opportunity for growers and processors in our sector to develop new markets and improve profitability together. By making the necessary changes to Ontario’s current regulatory system we can align production and product development plans and be more responsive to consumers,” said Butch Siebenmorgen President, Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Processors Association.
The relationship between growers and processors is one of the greatest assets of this sector. With the recent commitment to achieve direct marketing for tomatoes and a review of other processing vegetable categories by 2020, that relationship will be strengthened and further developed.
“We have finally reached a positive turning point in what has been a troubling situation for some time. Growers and processors have to be profitable. If we can establish the right regulatory environment in Ontario, this sector can explore and secure market opportunities, make new investments and grow jobs,” said Norm Beal, Executive Director, Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Processors Association & CEO, Food and Beverage Ontario.
Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Processors Association and Food and Beverage Ontario will be working with the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission on the regulatory change process and providing comment as part of the consultation.
About Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Processors Association
The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Processors Association is a non-profit processor organization for processors of tomatoes, green peas, sweet corn, green and wax beans, cucumbers, beets, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, lima beans, peppers, pumpkin and squash for the canning, freezing and pickling industry.
About Food and Beverage Ontario
Food and Beverage Ontario is a non-profit leadership organization dedicated to advancing the interests of food and beverage processors in Ontario. To learn more about the organization and its members visit www.foodandbeverageontario.ca
Media Contact:
Isabel Dopta
Communications Director
Food and Beverage Ontario
519.993.1192 | idopta@foodandbeverageontario.ca
