Grown and consumed in Canada
Competition for Ontario grown sweet potatoes comes from North Carolina, Louisiana, and Mississippi. During last year’s season, VanBerlo shipped throughout Canada from Langley, BC to Halifax, Nova Scotia, with the bulk of crop staying in Ontario. Ontario potatoes are also shipped into the United States. Opportunities have presented themselves in England, Ireland, and Holland; however, VanBerlo wants to ensure he has serviced Canada before beginning to export internationally. “We started this company, to meet the needs of Canadian consumers,” declares VanBerlo, “Grown in Canada, consumed in Canada.”
Filling market gap
VanBerlo started growing sweet potatoes in Ontario because there was a gap in the market. Currently Berlo’s Best sells 3lb and 5lb retail bags along with a 40lb bulk carton. Product of Canada is clearly labeled on the packaging, allowing consumers to know that their produce comes from only 100 miles away instead of 2000 miles. “No one else in Canada was providing for this market,” states VanBerlo, “In the last 5 years, consumers have become aware of the health benefits offered by sweet potatoes, not only increasing demand, but also interesting more growers in cultivating the crop”
Expansion in the works
Berlo’s Best is planning a 30% expansion this year which requires significant capital investment. This new expansion allows VanBerlo to continue to grow quality sweet potatoes and serve emerging markets; however growing them properly is expensive. “Consumers may be upset over price increases, but due to our expansion all of our necessities from utilities to labor to fertilizer also increase,” states VanBerlo, “We are continually learning how to improve, to become more efficient, and to provide Canadians with a world class product that they can enjoy time and time again.”
For more information please contact:
Nick VanBerlo
Berlo’s Best
Tel: 1-519-427-6561
nick@berlosbest.ca
www.berlosbest.com