For American milk producers, a black belt has come-a ranch that has worked for decades to destroy one by one.
milk prices in the US market have declined for 4 years in a row. Many farmers, to pay off their debts, are forced to sell their farmland, which is often inherited from father and grandfather. And some do not even resist stress and suicide
Only in one Agri-Mark cooperative, bringing together about 1 thousand milk producers, three volunteers have died in recent years. And, according to the representative of the cooperative, which has just published an estimate of milk prices for 2018, this year the situation will only worsen.
Meanwhile, milk producers have a great chance to get out of a prolonged crisis. This is given to them by the cannabis industry.
It is expected that by 2025 the market volume for the production and sale of marijuana will reach $ 24 billion, and a significant portion of this dense amount will come from food products containing cannabis. Last year, in California alone, the sales volume of beverages and cannabis products exceeded $ 180 million - about 10% of the country's total cannabis market.And as the cannabis industry grows, the product segment with cannabis will definitely grow.
However, for the production of such products (for example, candy or baked goods), not only the grass is needed, but also other ingredients - especially butter and milk. Thus, farmers have a good chance of agreeing to cooperate with representatives of the cannabis industry and secure a stable and growing market.
Moreover, farmers from countries where medical and recreational marijuana has been legalized alone can produce such products, such as milk or butter with the addition of marijuana. The same cafes and restaurants that offer visitors with cannabis foods will be happy to use this product in their kitchen.
In times of crisis, the number of suicides often increases, but this, to make it lighter, is not the best solution. Dairy farmers, who are now in difficult times, have to look around - new opportunities to find now are not difficult.
