Milling & Baking News - June 28, 2022 - 32

AMERICAN BAKERS ASSOCIATION
TUES | 06 28 202 2
ABA's Robb MacKie to step down
at the end of 2022
WASHINGTON - The American Bakers
Association on June 24 announced Robb
MacKie, who has led the organization since
2006, will step down at the end of 2022.
The ABA said Mr. MacKie is leaving to
" focus on family full time. " A search for
his successor will be conducted.
" For 27 years, 17 as president and CEO,
it has been my deepest
privilege and honor to serve
the baking industry, " Mr.
MacKie said. " I have devoted
my full passion and energy
to protecting and growing
this noble industry that
feeds our country and communities.
" Meanwhile,
the devotion
to my family greatly
overshadows my deep commitment
to ABA and our
members. It is because of their sacrifices
and support that I have been able to focus
on representing the industry I love. Now
MacKie
it is time for me to practice what I preach
by putting family first and focus my full
attention and passion on helping my family
through our challenges. I only ask for the
industry's and friends' support, prayers
and respect for my family's privacy. "
The ABA said Mr. MacKie will stay on
the next six months " to ensure a highly
successful International
Baking Industry Exposition
(IBIE), which ABA co-owns. "
Mr. MacKie joined
the ABA in 1995 as vice
president of government
relations. Over the next
11 years he worked to
increase the organization's
profile and effectiveness
in Washington policy
circles as an advocate and
spokesperson for the ABA.
He also worked as a liaison with the
ABA's Human Resources, Safety, Fleet
and Distribution, Legal and Executive
Analysts say high prices haven't
stopped organics growth - yet
KANSAS CITY - Steady growth and continuous
demand have defined the organics
market for several decades. In 2020, during
the height of the COVID pandemic, total
sales of organic food and non-food products
garnered more than $60 billion, according
to a 2021 Organic Industry Survey released
by the Organic Trade Association.
But analysts from Mercaris, a market
information service and online trading
platform for organic and other identity-preserved
commodities and ingredients,
wondered how the organics market will
handle current economic trends. Kellee
James, founder and chief executive officer
of Mercaris, and Ryan Koory, vice president
of economics at Mercaris, presented their
insights and outlooks during a breakout
session at the Sosland Publishing Co. annual
Purchasing Seminar in early June.
32
MILLING & BAKING NEWS
" Organic food sales continue to outpace
conventional food sales, " Mr. Koory said,
showing that organic food sales grew 9%
from 2009 to 2019 compared with conventional
food sales that only grew 3% over
the same period.
Mr. Koory said organic food sales in
the United States grew by 13% in 2020,
reasoning that sales reflected consumers'
retail purchases, where consumers have
greater access to and buying power for
organic products, since other food opportunities,
like restaurants and schools,
were closed. Mr. Koory said post-pandemic
consumer behavior has not reset,
and organic sales continue to grow, but he
and other analysts are watching consumers'
reaction to inflation strains.
Organic prices are firm. A bushel of
organic corn costs $11.24, the highest price
Leadership Development Committees.
Before joining the ABA, Mr. MacKie
worked for Congresswoman Marjorie
Holt of Maryland and Congressman Jim
Kolbe of Arizona.
He is a 1985 graduate of Frostburg State
University.
" The baking industry has had the privilege
of Robb's passion and expertise for 27
years, " said Cordia Harrington, ABA chair
and founder and CEO of Crown Bakeries.
" He has made a huge, positive difference
in our business lives and personal lives.
I respect his decision to place his family
first and am very grateful for Robb's dedication
and service. "
Bradley K. Alexander, immediate past
chair of the ABA and chief operating officer
of Flowers Foods, added, " Robb has
been a friend, trusted adviser and tireless
advocate for our industry and the many
members affiliated with the American Bakers
Association. We will miss his strategic
leadership and wish him all the best. "
Mr. MacKie said he will miss " the daily
interactions with a powerful team of
industry leaders and the most respected
and effective team of association professionals
in Washington. " MBN
since August 2015, and organic soybeans
are now at an all-time high of $39.50 per bu.
Mr. Koory said tight soybean supplies and
diminished imports from India, a primary
exporter of organic soybean products, was
supportive of the record-setting soybean
prices. He acknowledged finding appropriate
exporters was difficult due to other
countries' pesticide standards and transparency
concerns. Also, the Russian invasion
of Ukraine had an impact on organic
soybean supplies. Ukraine was a major
exporter of organic soybeans and grains,
but certifications were no longer being
processed due to the war, and previously
certified fields that were now littered with
war debris may be in jeopardy of losing
their certification status, and recertification
is at least a three-year process.
US organic corn, however, verged on
entering a bearish position, he said. He
pointed toward healthy production and
expanded acres along with steady yearover-year
carryover supplies as potential
pressures to organic corn prices. MBN
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Milling & Baking News - June 28, 2022

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