Colorado farmers and consumers are feeling the impact of a war that is taking place almost 6,000 miles away from home. There鈥檚 buzz about global wheat supplies, trade sanctions, disruption of supply chains and increasing costs; and yet there is still uncertainty about what we can expect in Colorado and what we can do about it.
Here鈥檚 what you need to know.
Ukraine is an important exporter of wheat, corn and sunflower oil to countries around the world. The war is severely reducing Ukrainian farmers’ productive capacity and their ability to move agricultural abundance into market channels.
In addition, the war has led to sanctions against Russia, one of the world鈥檚 top exporters of fertilizer, contributing to supply shortages and increased prices. This means that both crop output and input are affected everywhere, including our mountain state. As a result, the United States is being called upon to produce more while farmers are having to spend more to produce their crops.
Just like other business owners, farmers are also dealing with labor shortages, rising costs of inputs and reduced access to critically needed water. Add increasing gas and diesel prices, which also affect transportation and distribution, and the combination certainly explains why our food costs are going up. Although the pandemic conditioned us to understand that some products might not be available in every store, this is not a reflection of our Colorado farmers, ranchers and food producers, but of interruptions in our supply chains.
While new disruptions and challenges feel a bit unsettling, a positive outcome hinges on all of us taking active roles in buying locally-grown and locally-made food. I feel very strongly that supporting local agriculture has a multiplier effect on our economy and culture. We get more food choices and more ways to engage with our dollar 鈥� ultimately, helping our state and possibly the world.
Simply put, support local now. Here鈥檚 how.
We can all do our part by visiting a roadside stand or farmers market; participating in a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm-to-consumer program; cooking with Colorado-grown ingredients; and buying locally-produced meats, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, as well as locally-made food products and beverages.
Retailers and even liquor stores feature exclusive 鈥淐olorado鈥� sections, and many chefs tout local ingredients. Local options are available and accessible, so make a plan for how you might add more into your shopping and eating.
While the choice to buy local might feel personal, the benefits impact our state in ways that are especially critical during a time of shortages. Every time we buy local food and products, we are simultaneously boosting Colorado鈥檚 economy and heritage.
With more than 38,900 farms encompassing nearly 32 million acres, agriculture is a vital part of Colorado 鈥� providing more than 195,000 jobs, contributing more than $47 billion to the state鈥檚 economy annually; and feeding the world with more than $2 billion in food and agricultural products exported.
We all have a role in how we contribute to those numbers. As more local food is purchased, the food supply chain will respond to increased demand for locally-grown and — raised food — securing availability here, while also allowing Colorado producers to help meet food needs across the U.S. and around the world. That抖阴ap good for everyone.
Unpredictable global actions will continue to impact food availability and prices, but purposeful reactions by all of us will help our local food system. While it抖阴ap still too early to predict the potential long-term fallout from the war in Ukraine, some of the choices we make now will pay off later.聽 After all, it抖阴ap not just the responsibility of the farmers and ranchers; it抖阴ap important for all of us to take active roles in feeding Colorado by choosing to buy local.
Tom Lipetzky is the director of the Markets Division with the Colorado Department of Agriculture, responsible for marketing programs including Colorado Proud, export development, and the promotion of Colorado wine. He also serves on the Colorado Advisory Committee of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition and Gov. Jared Polis鈥� Revenue Estimating Advisory Committee and Financial Review Committee.
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