Who Will Harvest? Immigration Policy and Labor Dependence in Florida�s Specialty Crop Sectors

Samiul Haque, A. Malek Hammami and Hayk Khachatryan

Applied Economics Teaching Resources (AETR), 2026, vol. 8, issue 2

Abstract: Florida’s nursery, greenhouse, and floriculture (NGF) sector and fruit and vegetable (FV) sector are among the most labor-intensive in US agriculture, with hired labor comprising 25%-40% of production costs. Both depend heavily on unauthorized workers. Using a transparent simulation framework, we estimate the short-run effects of deporting 25%-75% of unauthorized workers. Results show substantial increases in production costs, reduced output, sales losses, and significant job cuts in both sectors. These findings underscore the sector’s vulnerability to mass deportation and highlight the urgent need for multipronged responses.

Keywords: Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession; Labor and Human Capital (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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