Competitiveness and Market Analysis Branch

Program description | Key messages | Clients | Contact information | Publications

Program Description

The Competitiveness and Market and Analysis Branch is responsible for the following:

leads the analysis of changes to consumer behavior and emerging trends impacting demand.
provides analysis of market impacts of trade and policy issues.
develops forecasts for commodity pricing and assesses best marketing practices in partnership with internal and external clients.
conducts priority market research, demand modeling and market segmentation research.
provides due diligence in the market assessment of new technology and emerging product development.
provides research, measurement, analysis, opportunity identification and strategic direction on issues impacting the competitive environment.
projects that support the policy development processes by analyzing the competitive impacts of policy alternatives or the impacts of policies in other jurisdictions.
projects that support the strategic planning process by offering insights and opinions on the evolution of the environment within which our agri-food systems operate.

Key Messages

Provide economic analysis on key market and consumer issues that impact Alberta’s ability to compete.
In partnership with internal and external clients conduct analysis of the consumer demand for food products to assess changes in consumer behaviour.
Develop agricultural commodity price forecasts and assess best marketing practices for government and agri-business clients.
Conduct projects to increase understanding of, and enhance the, competitiveness of the food, feed and bio-industrial value chains in Alberta.
Conduct projects that support the policy development, strategic planning and business planning processes by analyzing the potential competitiveness impacts on Alberta’s agri-food supply chains.

Clients

Ministry staff and agencies
Government
Industry

Contact Information
The main contact phone number for the Competitiveness and Market Analysis Branch is 780-422-7101.

Darren Chase E-mail: darren.chase@gov.ab.ca	Branch Head	780- 422-4056	Branch management Expertise in livestock market situation and outlook Industry competitiveness; policy, trade issue, emerging markets
Magda Beranek E-mail: magda.beranek@gov.ab.ca	Branch Administrator	780- 422-7101	Coordinate Branch admin projects and activities Assist with research Graphics design/desktop publishing
Rosalie Cunningham E-mail: rosalie.cunningham@gov.ab.ca	Coordinating Researcher	780-415-9013	Project leadership Research and analysis Value Chain/Supply Chain Analysis
Ava Duering E-mail: ava.duering@gov.ab.ca	Competitiveness Analyst	780- 422-4170	Research and analysis Client surveys Value Chain/Supply Chain Analysis
Sharon Faye E-mail: sharon.faye@gov.ab.ca	Emerging Market Analyst	780- 422-5326	Consumer research and trend analysis Market research on emerging markets
Jeewani Fernando E-mail:jeewani.fernando@gov.ab.ca	Provincial Consumer Market Analyst	780- 415-9773	Emerging markets, policy and trade Consumer research on meat, functional foods and select health issues
Sarah Oliveira E-mail: sarah.oliveira@gov.ab.ca	Market Researcher	780- 422-0264	Consumer research and trend analysis Market research on emerging markets
Chris Panter E-mail: chris.panter@gov.ab.ca	Provincial Livestock Market Analyst	780- 644-1287	Market livestock outlook Risk management tools and strategies for livestock Implications of policy and alternatives on livestock markets
Charlie Pearson E-mail: charlie.pearson@gov.ab.ca	Provincial Crops Market Analyst	780- 422-4053	Market outlook for grains, oilseeds and pulse crops Risk management tools and strategies for crops Implications of policy and alternatives on crop markets
Jennifer Stoby E-mail: jennifer.stoby@gov.ab.ca	Market Analyst, Agriculture Inputs	780-638-3740	Competitiveness research Market outlook for agriculture inputs

Publications

Where to Get Publications/Information
Publication	Website Address
Livestock and Farm Input Market Update	http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/sis5430
Agricultural Marketing Manual	http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/sis8570
Wholesale Market Prices for Commercial Vegetable Crops	http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/sis6846
Farm to Fork: Organics in Alberta, 2007	http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/sis11562

As the work that the Branch performs is unique to each client, it is left with the client to share the results as they feel appropriate. Some past examples of the Branch's work include:

Fertilizer Price Drivers
Food Price Inflation

Competitiveness and Market Analysis Branch

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