Well, what a change from a year ago! Prices are very different this year as there are no global shortages of organic commodities. The only exception to this is avocados, and Canadians are not renowned for their ability to produce many avocados.

Prices for 1995 crops are running as follows:

Spelt : $260 to $325 per Metric Tonne. The price per pound is 11.8 cents to 14.74 cents per pound for raw spelt. However, less scrupulous millers are buying spelt from farmers at 16 cents per pound dehulled. With a normal mill out rate of 28 to 48 %, the farmer is losing. Even if the mill out rate is only 28%, this means the farmer is only receiving 13.12 cents per pound based on what he would receive for unmilled raw product. If the mill out rate is as low as 48%, then he would receive only 8.32 cents per pound based on what he would have received for raw spelt. The numbers tell the entire story: 8.32 – 13.12 cents per pound based on hulled weight vs 11.8 – 14.74 cents per pound for raw spelt out of the field. If you sell your spelt based on a weight which is calculated after the hull is removed, you are getting paid 10.5% to 44% less for your product. Somebody else is getting the gold mine and you are getting the shaft.

Soybeans: down very slightly from last year with prices ranging from $11.50 per bushel to $18 per bushel. Contracted natto soybeans are an incredible $25 per bushel at the field. Fantastic!

Wheat (Soft White Winter, Hard Red Winter, and Hard Red Spring): all are bringing prices covering $190 – $210 per Metric Tonne.

Hulless Oats are fetching $150 – $170.

Buckwheat: $275 – $325.

Corn is not in demand and there is an oversupply.

Barley: prices are not set and barley is usually traded in a very narrow window of opportunity which lasts only about 8 weeks.

Canola is a crop which is increasing in demand for 1995. The prices seem to be running at approximately 28 – 35% over conventional prices.