One-third of farms benefitted from COVID restrictions, OFA survey says

GUELPH — An Ontario Federation of Agriculture survey of almost 700 members found that one-third of respondents experienced positive benefits under COVID restrictions.

Benefits included “new customers, increased consumer interest and awareness, new direct-online marketing opportunities, increased sales, and in some cases, reduced expenses,” reported OFA director Hugh Simpson.
The survey also revealed that 60 % of Ontario farmers are concerned about a global recession, while 55 % are concerned about financial impacts to their farm businesses and 52 % said they were concerned about trade and supply chain issues.

The inability to conduct business as usual topped the list of COVID impacts, with 43 % of farmers saying they’ve had to alter their business to cope with the pandemic.

“Many experienced delays and disruptions sourcing parts or materials,” said Simpson, a beekeeper. “My farm business made the decision not only to pivot our strategy to build an online retail model, but also market towards food processors instead of solely restaurants. Building a new revenue stream takes time but losing one dramatically affects a business immediately.”