Bob Harrison said: >> "Part of the *new* cooperative agreement between the Sioux Honey Assn. and >> the Argentine cooperative FACAP *includes* the exportation of *Argentine* >> honey, bottled and labeled under the Sioux honey brand. ...and Aaron Morris said: > Is this decision driven by the bottom line (dollars) or is it a supply/demand issue > (coop members aren't able to produce enough to meet Sioux Bee's needs)? > If the former and I were a coop member, I think I'd be a bit POed. Given views like Aaron's, perhaps Sioux Bee needs to sign an agreement with FACAP in Florida quick! The "Florida Advisory Committee on Arson Prevention" http://www.facap.org :) Seriously, this was a very well-timed announcement, and a very smooth move. Vote the people who did this a raise, Sioux Bee members - they earned it. The net effect is that Sioux Bee may now suddenly be the largest purchaser/packer of Argentine honey, and will no longer be undercut by those who traditionally traded in Argentine honey. They are sure to buy up as much Argentine honey as they can, even if they must stockpile it. This, combined with the ban of Chinese honey, will make a rather large vacuum, leaving a number of honey importer/packers with one less major source of supply. If the Chinese situation remains unchanged, some packers could be put in the position of not being able to supply long-standing customers, and Sioux Bee will be sure to be interviewing now for someone to answer the phones on "3rd shift". It also allows Sioux Bee to process and bottle honey year-round, which means that their capital equipment can be amortized over the same period, but produce many more pounds of honey during the productive lifespan of the equipment. (Don't laugh, this is serious money for any business with a "plant".) Its nothing but a another game of Monopoly, but played with real money, real buildings, and a game board as big as the planet. Since Sioux Bee is a co-op, the members profit on both sides of the deal. Hey! - If Sioux Bee cuts a deal with the Alberta Honey Producers, that would make THREE properties in the same hemisphere, entitling the combined groups to place a hotel on the board. :) The Sherman Antitrust Act, the Clayton Act, the Capper-Volstead Act, and the NAFTA agreement make very informative reading for the megalomaniac in training. It is amazing what co-ops are allowed to do. I sure hope that someone has enough of a sense of humor to hand out eye patches and Jolly Roger flags to all Sioux Bee members at their next meeting. All together now.... "Arrrrr! Arrrrgentina!" jim