[PEN-L:28234] Re: Re: Re: Re: WSJ reviews Marx 101

[Bill Rosenberg <w.rosenberg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Louis Proyect wrote:

> Nobody has much interest in organic farming under capitalism, which is
> really a contradiction in terms. What good does it do to discuss how some
> botique strawberry farm in Northern California conducts its affairs.
> Neither this nor agribusiness in Oxnard has much to do with the socialist
> agenda. For the Marxist view, go to:
> http://www.foodfirst.org/media/press/2002/cubabook.html
Well actually, organics are getting quite trendy in capitalist terms
here in New Zealand, being one of the fastest growing agricultural
export sectors. The following is from the web site of Heinz's local
subsidiary (Heinz Watties). Not, as Louis points out, that this has much
to do with a socialist agenda - just that Heinz (and others in New
Zealand) are now finding that organics (a) have an international market,
(b) can be sold for a premium price and so (c) make money.

Bill

From http://www.watties.co.nz/cda/hwa_page/1,2601,1152,00.html

The Organic Vegetable Story

In New Zealand Heinz Wattie's Australasia processes peas, carrots, sweet
corn, green beans, broad beans, potatoes, squash and onions. New crops
are in development phase.

Heinz Wattie's Australasia has certified organic production facilities
in Gisborne, Hastings, Feilding and Christchurch. HWA's administration
and marketing office is in Auckland. The company's head office is in
Melbourne.

Heinz Wattie's Australasia has approximately 60 BIO-GRO certified
suppliers in NZ. Most have converted from conventional cropping
practices. Over 2500 ha is available for organic process crops.

All suppliers and processing facilities are certified as meeting the
Production Standards of BIO-GRO NZ, an independent certifying agency.
Heinz Wattie's Australasia organic products carry the BIO-GRO trademark.

Heinz Wattie's Australasia commenced its organic program in 1990 with a
7 ha crop of peas in Canterbury, and production has been growing
steadily ever since. Heinz Wattie's Australasia pioneered large-scale
commercial organic vegetable cropping in NZ and is acclaimed as an
industry leader.

Heinz Wattie's Australasia expects to process approximately 6,000 tonnes
of various organic crops in the 2000/1 season.

Heinz Wattie's Australasia's organic products are marketed in NZ,
Australia, Japan, South Africa, Europe, Canada and USA.

Despite the expectation of some observers, many organic crops have
outyielded their conventional counterparts. Heinz Wattie's Australasia
organic growers have achieved 10 t/ha pea crops, 28 t/ha sweet corn, and
over 70 t/ha carrots. However organic yields on average are below
conventional yields due to lower inputs and less intensive production
targeted towards sustainability.

Heinz Wattie's Australasia pays a premium price for organic crops. For
sweet corn, peas and carrots the highest ever returns per hectare have
been achieved by organic growers. Production costs are generally about
the same as for conventional crops.

[snip]