Hi Allen and all,
>This does not correspond to what we are seeing here in Canada or the
>offers I am receiving by email from Argentinian beekeepers.
Since more than a month elapsed since the IHEO report was delivered to its
members, it is obvious the information that I reproduced will not
necessarily match
current market data. Neither the specific paragraph describes Canada
situation nor it should have any connection with what is going on right now
in your country and in Argentina. So I don't really understand your
statement aiming at discredit my assertions.
By the way, bear in mind that the USA does not belong to IHEO, it is Canada
(YOUR COUNTRY) who provides these data. Given the absence of US honey
traders it shouldn't be surprising to find unaccuracies or misleading
information. Since the president of IHEO is Mr. Wayne Rumball, why don't you
ask your friend about the authenticity of the information?
>I wonder about the authenticity and the date of that report.
If you wish I can refax you a copy of the report that I got so you can see
it yourself. I have been receiving these reports since June 1998, you can
have a copy from all of them if you want. I am sure Mr. Rumball will confirm
both the authenticity and date of issuance.
As far as I am concerned I have no reason to believe the reports are not
true.
I am sorry but I cannot disclose the source. After all he is an exporter
too, but dislikes the procedures of this group. That is why he was so kind
as to share this information with me.
>At the particular timementioned, prices had already sunk below the 80 cent
Canadian >mark here and in past weeks I have seen offers around the 72 cent
mark and heard
>that people had sold in that vicinity. ($1.00 Canadian is ~65 cents US)
That 72 >Canadian cents translates into something more like $1030 / metric
tonne, if I am >figuring correctly.
Indeed I am sorry you got such bad prices for your honey. I guess you are
right, maybe you are not figuring correcty. Why do you take for granted that
prices being paid to Canadians at a certain time should equal those paid to
US producers? I am subscribed to the American Beekeeping Federation - Honey
Market Faxline (bimonthly report), as per Report Nš 104 issued on Feb. 15
'99 they inform sales of US white honey at 58 cents a pound = $1276 metric
tonne,
considerably above the prices that you got paid.
Please find below part of that same Feb. 15 IHEO report about Canada:
"Actual Price: U$S 1200 / 1300 MT. Max: 15 mm, delivered USA packers, duty
paid.
U$S 1550 CFR EMP for Clover; U$S 1250 CFR EMP for 20 mm. (Import duty in the
USA is 1 cent per pound, which means U$S 22 per metric ton.)
Buyers demand: LOW. General Comments: Most packers want to wait to see how
the market develops."
>And, I guess I should step up here and stick up for a friend of mine...
>I'd like to set things straight regarding Wayne, and maybe the IHEO,
>seeing as his name came up and some things were said.
I don't have the pleasure of knowing -your friend- Mr. Wayne Rumball so I
cannot say anything about his reputation. But it really makes me suspicious
that the organization he is president of, has had such a low profile during
the last 16 years. Allen, don't you think I am right? How many times during
the
existence of BEE-L did you have the chance to debate seriously on world
honey trade? How many times did the name of the IHEO was mentioned? Don't
you think a CARTEL of exporters of any commodity have a lot of power? Like
it or not IHEO is a CARTEL, you don't need to be an economist to realize it
but to read a introductory book on Economics.
>I've been aware of the IHEO for some time. In fact Wayne has mentioned
>the organisation to me in our discussions of honey prices. He knows I'm a
>honey producer, and one with a big mouth to boot, so I don't think the
>IHEO is a secret society -- in Canada at least.
It may not be a secret society in Canada, OK. Why don't you ask down south
US beekeepers how many of them ever heard of IHEO? Why don't you ask Mr.
Rumball to include you in his mailing list and to invite you to IHEO
meetings? If he is your friend maybe he'll do it.
>My understanding is that the IHEO has a strong interest in maintaining
>orderly markets.
I agree with you. As per IHEO perspective they are quite successful at
maintaining an "orderly market", they succeeded in dumping the price. But
as a commercial beekeeper what do you mean by maintaining orderly markets?
According to IHEO Constitution it is "to defend the price of honey". Does it
mean to defend the interest of beekeepers? I don't think so. Whenever
someone sells he wants the best price (beekeepers) , whenever someone buys
(IHEO) he wants to pay the least money. This is real life and basic
economics.
> I hope we can continue it without demonizing any person or group, because
that way >we can all work together.
So do I. It is not a matter of demonizing or sacralizing anybody but to
unmask who is who in the world trade of honey and I am absolutely sure the
IHEO
has been a key player during the last few years.
Regards,
(P.S.: exporter of queens, not of honey)
Martin Braunstein
Queen Breeder & Exporter
Criador de Reinas y Exportador
Malka Cabania Apicola
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
Phone (54+11)4446-8350
Fax (54+2322)487564
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