Impediments to what should be free

February 26, 2024

There are producers who have found local markets, but they are largely specialized and what might be called niche producers. Many make local sales, they haul oats, flax or canola to locally located processors, which pays the farmer. However, what those processors make - rolled oats, flax or canola oil - typically ends up shipped out of country, so the farmer still needs export sales to operate. In terms of securing export markets it can be a very complicated thing.

The world of trade in general, and agriculture trade in particular, is complicated. While not an economist, it doesn't take that degree to know the trade in agriculture is not as easily achieved as a buyer wanting a product and a seller having it.

There are very often government-imposed impediments to what should be the free flow of goods. The barriers; tariffs taxes and regulatory red tape, are created usually for political gain and not for good business. Countries have issues with other countries, and trade between those countries may have new hoops to jump through.