Production & Marketing of Ethnic or Production & Marketing of Ethnic or Speciality CropsSpeciality Crops

● ● Brief introduction of speciality cropsBrief introduction of speciality crops● ● Opportunities and limitationsOpportunities and limitations● ● Personal experience producing & marketing S.cropsPersonal experience producing & marketing S.crops● ● Questions/Answers & Panel discussionQuestions/Answers & Panel discussion

Ethnic CropsEthnic Crops

• Ethnic crops ↔ Speciality crops ↔ Non-traditional crops ↔ Minor crops

• Initially introduced by immigrants from their native lands

• Mostly imported or grown locally on small scale• Production Targeted to specific consumers base or market niches

Opportunities for growing speciality Opportunities for growing speciality crops in Ontariocrops in Ontario

• Highest per capita immigration rate• 34 ethnic groups with atleast 100,000 members each (Statcan

2001)

• 43% immigrants land in GTA• Purchasing power of target groups • Suitable soil and climate for growing some speciality crops• None or very limited local production

Limitations for growing speciality cropsLimitations for growing speciality crops

• Lack of market research and evaluation• Limited local research and knowledge about production

techniques of Ethnic crops• Agro-climatic conditions• Limited consumer base• Competition from countries where these are major crops

Marketing Ethnic cropsMarketing Ethnic crops

• Know/establish/develop market before producing• Who• What (most sold, premium price)• When (time of production)• How (Crop management practices)

☺Start small☺Grow big as you learn

Marketing Channels of Ethnic crops in TorontoMarketing Channels of Ethnic crops in Toronto

• Local Production• Import

• International food stores• Some Chain stores

• Flea Markets• Small Ethnic fruit &Veg. stands• Mobile vendors

• Ethnic Restaurants