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market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] Farmer's Market Problem

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  • From: Willie McKemie <mckemie+mf AT spamcop.net>
  • To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Farmer's Market Problem
  • Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2006 12:06:24 -0600

On Sat, Jan 28, 2006 at 12:30:17PM -0500, Pat Meadows wrote:
> In other words, which comes first, the chicken or the egg?
>
> Has anyone dealt with this problem? Do you have any advice
> for us?

I would never increase my plantings to serve an un-proven market.
If many growers you hope will supply your market feel the same way,
your market must grow slowly, at least the first year.

Consumers have less tolerance for low supply than growers have
tolerance for low demand. As you have noted, market management must
strive for balance. With perhaps a bit more emphasis on supply than
demand.

Though I haven't seen much of this myself, it would be ideal if market
management would quickly react to market oversupply with increased
promotion and advertising. I am always willing to give a slow market
several weeks; more, if I notice management trying to correct
oversupply problems by stimulating demand.

Sadly, many market managers create excess demand by over promoting
their markets and then attempt to balance it by turning a blind eye to
peddling.

--
Willie, ONWARD! Through the fog!
http://counter.li.org Linux registered user #228836 since 1995
Debian3.0/GNU/Linux system uptime 41 days 22 hours 25 minutes




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