Apple juice duty eliminated Saturday, December 3, 2011 by SUSAN MANNEliminating the duty on apple juice concentrate probably won’t affect growers but farmers would have preferred leaving it in place, says a spokesman for the Ontario Apple Growers. Chair Brian Gilroy says the grower group was asked its opinion and it told government officials “the duty should remain to help keep the costs up.”Gilroy says processors could apply to get their duty back. That’s what growers hoped would happen “and we would have supported that.”Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced Nov. 27 the elimination of tariffs on 70 items including apple juice concentrate. Currently Ontario juice apples are selling at $2.50 to $2.60 a bushel, far lower than other commodities, such as soybeans, wheat or corn.A niche market for hand-picked juice apples, however, is fairly strong. Gilroy says hand picked juice apples sell for $4.50 a bushel. That price, however, has increased only marginally in the 25 years Gilroy has been involved in the industry.One thing growers are doing is planting new varieties of apples with an overall goal of reducing the percentage of juice apples. The apple concentrate duty was installed 12 to15 years ago when China was dumping concentrate into the United States, which responded by installing a duty. Then the U.S. removed its duty but Canada didn’t, Gilroy says.The Food Processors of Canada, which represents Canadian food manufacturers, supports the move. President Christopher Kyte says in a press release the tariff cut will help lower ingredient costs. “It levels the playing field so that Canadian processors can better compete against imported finished product.”Kyte says there won’t be any impact on apple growers as processors will continue using high quality Canadian apples to make single strength juice, applesauce and other specialty products. BF Butter, skim milk powder support prices increase Behind the Lines - December 2011
Early Career Research Award supports two Guelph research initiatives Friday, July 4, 2025 The was presented to two University of Guelph researchers at the recently held Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) symposium. Dr. Kelsey Spence received $40,000 towards her work in on-farm biosecurity research, and Dr. Sam Workenhe was awarded $60,000 to further his... Read this article online
Grape Growers 40th Annual Celebrity Luncheon has Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser Friday, July 4, 2025 The Grape Growers of Ontario’s marks the opening of the by showcasing Canadian personalities and celebrating the annual grape harvest. This year, in partnership with Meridian Credit Union, Ontario’s largest credit union and the third largest in Canada, the Grape Growers of Ontario... Read this article online
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Canada’s Place in Global Food System Resilience Wednesday, July 2, 2025 Canada’s food system is facing serious pressure due to global supply chain issues, climate change, and rising food prices. According to a KPMG report, bold and united action is needed now to make Canada’s agriculture sector more resilient and self-reliant. With the global population... Read this article online
Calf Auction Raises Funds for Youth Monday, June 30, 2025 Wyatt Westman-Frijters from Milverton won a heifer calf named Ingrid through a World Milk Day promotion by Maplevue Farms and a local Perth, Ontario radio station. Instead of keeping the calf, 22-year-old Westman-Frijters chose to give back to the community. The calf was sent to the... Read this article online