In the domestic market there are regular buyers of the commodity, rewarding good quality with better prices. Producers of good quality commodities are rewarded, if not directly with a significant price increase in a given year, then in subsequent years with the experience they have gained on how to obtain quality commodities and how to obtain an optimal price.
Goods of inferior quality (contaminated, damp, mouldy or overgrown) always have a lower value. It seems important for the agricultural producer to be aware of these requirements and to have good contact with potential buyers.
Goods prepared correctly, according to the customer’s needs, mean higher revenues, lower expenses and avoiding misunderstandings with contractors. It is advisable to have the harvested goods independently assessed for quality by a reliable, verified laboratory. It is no less important to ensure good storage conditions for the commodity, if required, so that its quality does not deteriorate and the farmer is sure of what he is offering to the market.
Customers expecting a specific commodity, contracting, e.g. green peas, potatoes for the production of Chips, malting barley, have strictly defined requirements regarding varieties and quality parameters of products. Ensuring the appropriate expected quality of the commodity is facilitated by training organised by the recipients (agro-technology, preparation and storage of the commodity) for producer groups or through the farmer’s mentor, on site at the farm. The provision of full instruction by recipients and the implementation of these commodity recommendations does not dispense with the need to test the parameters of the commodity during harvest and storage. Sometimes the inclusion of one shipment of a commodity, e.g. grain with too high a moisture content, can spoil a much larger batch of a good commodity. If the farmer destines the commodity to be sold on the open market, this does not absolve the need to ensure a quality in line with the needs of the potential buyer. Therefore, he should implement and respect the rules for handling the commodity from the moment the decision is taken to harvest, until the commodity reaches the warehouse of the recipient.