Jersey Farmers Certainly Have the Cream!

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David Green (FCG Midwest)

I have recently returned from a short trip to Jersey organised by ForFarmers visiting the country to discover more about its agricultural industry and government policies that protect the sustainability of the island.  It was a very interesting trip and fascinating to see how interlinked the government is with the country’s food producers and what value they place on their farmers.

One can only look on with jealously from mainland UK at the value both its population and governors placed on agriculture on the island and the importance placed on protecting it and making it both environmentally sustainable and financially secure into the future.  The islands farmland is predominantly used for either potato growing or dairy farming.  Both industries are protected, and the growers and dairy farmers are irregulated on the island by restrictions that protect their ongoing viability.  Imports and exports are controlled, and produce is marketed by a single authority.  There are only 12 dairy farmers on the island who produce under a quota system around 15 million litres of milk per annum.  All the milk goes to a central factory of which is a farmer owned cooperative.  One third of the milk is consumed on the island whilst the remainder is processed into high value products that are exported across the globe.  The central factory operates the logistics and develops the world-renowned global brand that is Jersey dairy with history and heritage from 1763.

Historically replicating these sorts of closed systems and short supply chains are only really applicable in very niche circumstances across the UK in specific regions or with specific products but should that be the case going forwards?  With trade becoming more fluid across the world albeit with various tariffs should we be marketing our quality British products as much to the Asian businessman as to the British consuming public?  Yes, one is on our doorstep and the other is the other side of the world, but quality produce will be sought by affluent educated individuals irrespective of origin of supply.  If that is the case, then should “bog standard commodity” production which quite frankly the UK struggle to compete on, in terms of efficiency and profit with other counties be a thing of the past?  The regulations and standards placed on UK commodity production are often blamed but wouldn’t it be more productive to shout from the roof tops and tell the whole world that if it’s quality produce produced to the highest standards, then the UK is where to come for their shopping!  More and more supply contracts are asking for higher and higher standards of production, we are continuing to discuss all of these requirements with our clients and the implications these have on their businesses.

If you would like to discuss your “buyers” requirement or like assistance in understanding how best you can comply with the standards, please contact David at davidgreen@fcgagric.com or your local FCG Office.   

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