Radiation-Pasteurizing Fresh Strawberries and other Fresh Fruit and Vegetables: Estimates of Costs and Benefits

John H. Droge

No 320594, Miscellaneous Publications from United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service

Abstract: Excerpts from the report Introduction: Spoilage losses in marketing fresh produce are substantial despite dramatic improvements in handling practices, containerization, and use of chemical decay deterrents. Results of technical research now in progress indicate that low-dose radiation-pasteurizing holds real promise for some commodities as a method of reducing spoilage and increasing shelf-life while retaining fresh product qualities. No pilot produce-irradiating facilities have been constructed, and no market tests have been made for radiation-pasteurized produce. But technical research involving the use of small-scale irradiators has advanced to where it is possible to make meaningful preliminary estimates of radiation-pasteurizing costs. In the study reported here, specific objectives were (1) the development of preliminary cost estimates for radiation-pasteurization of fresh strawberries; (2) estimation of money values of some important benefits expected to result from radiation-pasteurization of fresh strawberries; (3) development of preliminary estimates of the economic feasibility of radiation-pasteurization of fresh strawberries; and (4) an evaluation of the likely impact of this new method of food preservation on the structure of produce markets and methods of marketing.

Keywords: Crop Production/Industries; Marketing; Production Economics; Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies; Research Methods/Statistical Methods (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 30
Date: 1965-03
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:uersmp:320594

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.320594

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