Wild Rice Growers Hopeful Of Industry Turnaround

Wild Rice Growers Hopeful Of Industry Turnaround

Thursday, April 29, 2010 at 15:13

While last year was another poor season for wild rice producers in the province, members of the Saskatchewan Wild Rice Association are cautiously optimistic when it comes to the future of the industry.

The association is holding its annual gathering today in La Ronge.

Delegates heard this morning that the recent economic downturn paired with high volumes of rice in storage led to a tough couple of bad years for producers, but a lack of precipitation in California this year is leading to less production in the United States — which should mean more Saskatchewan rice heading south of the border.

Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook Searson says the rise of the Canadian dollar against its American counterpart has also hurt wild rice growers in her area, but feels the situation will improve as the world’s economy improves.

Despite the problems facing the industry, Saskatchewan still accounted for 80 per cent of the country’s wild rice production in 2009.