Advancements in Apple Picking: An Industry Addresses Tight Farm Labor Markets

Skyler Simnitt, Philip Martin and Marcelo Castillo

Amber Waves:The Economics of Food, Farming, Natural Resources, and Rural America, 2023, vol. 2023

Abstract: Apples are a versatile fruit. They store well and thrive in temperate climates like that of the United States, which ranks second in the world in apple production. However, apples also bruise easily, so most tree fruit mechanical harvesters are simply too rough on the fruit. To prevent bruising and ensure farmers can harvest their crop at its peak, apples intended for sale in fresh markets are picked by hand. Consequently, labor is among the biggest expenses for U.S. apple growers, accounting for up to a fourth of production costs.

Keywords: Agribusiness; Agricultural Finance; Crop Production/Industries; Farm Management; Labor and Human Capital; Production Economics; Risk and Uncertainty (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:uersaw:338913

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.338913

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