The NFU will call for a grain chain that rewards risk-takers and those investing in the future at an industry-led conference today.
NFU combinable crops board vice-chairman Mike Hambly will argue that while extreme weather, politicians and merchants all have the ability to affect the grain chain, producers hold the ultimate power because global demand for food will continue to rise – and positive relationships are key to ensuring successful businesses.
It will come during the Cereal’s Arable Conference debate on Thursday 13 June: ‘who calls the shots in the grain chain?’
“The reality is that it is certainly not British farming calling the shots, as we produce just 1.75 per cent of the total world wheat production,” Mr Hambly will say. “The extreme weather events we have witnessed in the last year, drought in America and flooding in the UK, has demonstrated just how vulnerable we are to Mother Nature.
“But while we cannot influence the weather, and we don’t have enough of the market to make significant impact on world prices, we can make sure that processors, food manufacturers and our grain merchants see us as important, valued producers. We need to cultivate those relationships which will lead to greater opportunities to build our businesses.
“It’s actually not about who calls the shots, but about getting a better balance in the chain that repays investments made and risks taken.”
