Education
Work Experience
Board Experience
Vice President, 2020-2022
I have been married to my wife, Tracy, for 37 years. I have three daughters and three beautiful grandsons. My family attends St. Paul Armenian Church in Fresno.
Pound for pound, our adjusted for-inflation price per ton has declined. This decline is not the fault of our growers, but governmental trade policy that promoted foreign vineyard development and cheap low quality imports. Year after year raisin growers are facing challenges to stay in business. Always hoping the next year will bring better prices and profit. SUN-MAID has consistently given our growers some of the best returns, however, this still is not enough to cover rising costs of labor and input materials. This has caused our industry to shrink. Much of our vineyard acreage has been removed and our raisin production is decreasing. This trend must be reversed or the industry will start losing market share.
Raisins growers are experts at adapting to changing marketing conditions. Some have converted over to more profitable crops, while others have developed their old Thompson vineyards into Selma Pete or Fiesta with state-of-the-art trellising systems. The cost of conversion compared to other crops is increasingly labor-intensive and costly. Those growers who do not have the capital to upgrade have been left behind.
SUN-MAID is only as strong as it growers. Small or large, we all contribute to the overall success of SUN-MAID. SUN-MAID role as our marketing and distribution channel is very important. However, the organization must play the role of a resource center. Helping growers with technical knowledge, and best management practices, attaining volume discounts for input material and identifying grant opportunities.
Strengthening SUN-MAID relationships with elected officials will bring dividends to our growers. SUN-MAID has the ability to impact the political process that would benefit the entire industry. SUN-MAID should be advocating for growers by procuring grants and zero interest loans. These funds can be used to off-set the costs of a vineyard that transitions to higher yielding grapes.
Research and development of new varieties and labor saving techniques are vital to our long-term profitability and success. Newer varieties have shown great promise. SUN-MAID should be the leader with their development, making the new varieties exclusive to SUN-MAID growers.
We need fair and balanced trade. No matter what we do our growers can not compete with countries that do not have the same cost and regulatory structures. If our industry can not turn around the declining production numbers, packers will import fruit to fill domestic orders. That will further drive down prices causing a death spiral in our industry. We must protect our market and growers. It is called food security and is vital to our nation.
A culture that promotes and highlights our growers and employees will increase our market share. Everyone wants to be recognized when they do a great job. Growers and employees who are valued will be motivated to be their best.
I just want to thank you for visiting my website. I hope you found it interesting and informative. Many who have served on the SUN-MAID board have done an excellent job. I believe that we need to take it to the next level. My seven point plan will guide me and together we can make raisins great again. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Ballots are scheduled for mailing on Tuesday, March 12.
Please call me direct at 5592850242 or email Beberian@aol.com