Since the threat of US President Donald Trump’s tariffs, many BC residents have begun to focus on buying local, but how are political tensions and potential tariffs affecting BC farmers and the larger farming community in the province?
Daily Hive recently touched base with Gagan Singh, a local advocate for BC farmers.
Singh is trying to help BC farmers, who are already struggling, get organized to avoid potentially being impacted even harder if Trump’s full suite of tariffs come into play. He’s also trying to usher in a new generation of farmers.
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Despite an agreement between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Trump earlier this month to pause tariffs, Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on certain goods, like steel and aluminum.
Singh has two upcoming town halls in Surrey and Port Coquitlam to bring farmers together to discuss the issues at hand because he believes that the industry is on the “edge of collapse.”
“BC farmers are facing record bankruptcies due to rising costs, restrictive government policies, and uncertain trade conditions,” Singh said in a release.
We spoke to an impassioned Singh, who is trying to help farmers modernize and develop new strategies to survive in an increasingly challenging economic climate.
Singh inherited a farm from his father in Abbotsford, a farm that could be sold for millions. He said that not many who might want to get into farming could afford the mortgages. Not to mention labour costs, equipment costs, and other expenses.
Another problem which exists in various sectors (like housing) and not just agriculture is red tape and bureaucracy. Singh said that if farmers want to change or grow something different, they often have to wait for approval from the government. He also acknowledges that if you were to open things up suddenly, it would be a “gong show.”
“There’s so much opportunity out there,” Singh said.
“If we can get farmers to start working together and seeing that it doesn’t matter if you’re White, Brown, Chinese, blueberry farmer, dairy farmer, we’re all going through the same issues.”
That’s part of the push for these town halls, to get farmers to meet each other in person and share their feedback, which could help the collective.
“We’re trying to bring farmers together and show them there’s so much in their own control.”
Could the Trump tariffs be a positive for farmers?
Heidi Besen/Shutterstock
Can buying local help?
“The system’s set up, not for local consumption,” Singh reflected.
He added that the way that agriculture works locally is that many food products are produced locally but then exported. According to a 2022 BC agriculture report, “BC’s total agrifood, processed food & beverages and seafood exports reached a dollar figure of $6.16 billion in 2022 (+20.5% from 2021).”
“Exports to the US comprised 81.3% of total BC agricultural exports and 67.8% of seafood product exports,” the report added. BC salmon is an extremely popular export.
Singh told Daily Hive that from his perspective, the number one problem facing farmers is rising costs. He added that climate-related issues have exacerbated the cost problem.
In some roundabout way, the threat of Trump’s tariffs could potentially be a good thing since people like Singh are now bringing attention to the broader issues that exist in BC’s agricultural sector.
As we’ve seen, it’s led to a huge push to buy local and Canadian products. Singh also believes that it will lead to fewer products being exported, which would increase supply, which inevitably could lead to lower prices. But Singh believes it will only be a positive if people adapt.
Another problem that exists is a generational one.
“Although the average age of farm operators has increased in every province, BC continues to have the oldest operators with an average age of 55,” states a 2011 BC agriculture census.
Singh believes that number is closer to 66 now.
“We have to get the younger ones in, people like me, because they have the solutions, and they’re the ones who are more likely to make the changes.”
How can BC consumers adapt?
Singh believes there are three ways that the public can adapt to what’s taking place and what may occur in the future.
“The public doesn’t know where to find local produce,” Singh said. He added that farmer markets are popular but infrequent and sometimes far away.
The first way the public can adapt is with increased consumer awareness, something Singh is pushing for.
“Look at where it’s coming from. Buy your Mexican blueberries, your Brazilian carrots, but start reading the label and bring a sense of awareness to where your produce is coming from.”
The second thing Singh is pushing for is for the public to learn how to grow their own food.
“They’re going to have greater respect and appreciation for farmers and what local produce tastes like. And honestly, we might live in a future where sometimes the only food you can eat is what you’ve grown.”
The third thing Singh suggests is to be more engaged in the political process. He says that if there are policies you can vote for that would make life easier for farmers, particularly when it comes to regulations and the red tape stuff, “it will free up farmers.”
You can find more information about the upcoming town halls on Singh’s InstaBerry website.