A Cost Analysis of Alternatives for Methyl Bromide for Postharvest and Quarantine Treatment of Apples and Cherries

Holly C. Nelson

American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 1996, vol. 78, issue 5, 1424-1433

Abstract: Methyl bromide is currently the only accepted quarantine treatment for temperate fruit worldwide. Recent environmental issues and laws have created the need for an alternative to methyl bromide for postharvest and quarantine treatment of fruits and vegetables due to methyl bromide being classified as a Class I ozone-depleting substance and subject to being withdrawn from production, importation, and use in the United States by the year 2001. The objective of this project was to analyze alternatives with capabilities equal to those achieved by methyl bromide for postharvest and quarantine treatment of apples and cherries. Published literature and personal interviews were used to develop partial budgets for the following scenarios: (1) benchmark—methyl bromide, (2) irradiation, (3) controlled atmosphere storage, and (4) cold treatments. Total operating and depreciation costs for apples for scenario 1 were $431,759.23 compared to $862,505.48 for scenario 2, and $607,744.02 for scenario 3. For the treatment of cherries, scenario 1 totaled $37,564.00 compared to scenario 2's $144,000.00. Scenario 3 is not applicable for cherries. With the loss of methyl bromide, cherries have a potential of $6,700,000 in lost revenues. Copyright 1996, Oxford University Press.

Date: 1996
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