Canada: Sapporo Value Chain was honoured with the Canadian Agri-Food Award of Excellence for Export

Sapporo Value Chain partners, which includes several key links including the growers, Sapporo Breweries Ltd., Kataoka, and Alix’s Rahr Malting, received this year’s Canadian Agri-Food Award of Excellence for Export which is a very representative honour for the commitment to agricultural awareness and education.

Manager of Grain Procurement for Rahr Malting Ian John said this type of acknowledgment after only three years in existence, means a lot. “We are very happy to have won that in such a short time,” said John. “Hopefully, with this success, we can grow with Sapporo.”

John says the chain takes pride in being environmentally conscious.

“A lot of work goes into the process, with doing livestock analysis on beer cans, and glass bottles, beer caps, and labels,” said John, who refers to the process as being from cradle to grave.

In addition, he added Sapporo has committed to reducing CO2 emissions in their procedures. “We are probably one of the most environmentally friendly plants in the world.” Sapporo has earned more than $2 million on its way to providing significant increases in malt barley volume.

John feels a key part to the chain’s early success has been the producers. “One of the goals of Sapporo is to build long-term relationships with the farmers who are growing their malt barley,” he said. “I think this award shows the commitment from the farmers and our commitment to them.”

Initially, five producers were involved, before soon jumping to 20, and now 59 farmers.

22 November, 2006