Fruit Prices Research Articles

Standard, Reputation and Trade: Evidence from US Horticultural Imports Refusals

This paper investigates the impact of food safety standards promulgated by governments or imposed by buyers from the private sector on the capacity of developing countries to access developed countries’ markets for high value agricultural and food products. I offer an analysis that disentangles productivity-sorting from quality-sorting in fresh fruits and vegetables exports. My theoretical model and empirical analysis confirms the importance of taking into consideration importers' preference for quality as well as exporters' capacity to produce quality products when analyzing average export unit prices of fresh fruits and vegetables. Thanks to a new database on U.S import refusals, my empirical analysis shows that a shock to reputation seems to have a downgrading effect, reducing the capacity of countries to export quality products.

Regional price differences and food consumption frequency among elementary school children

Food prices may affect diet and weight gain among youth and lead to geographic disparities in obesity. This paper examines the association between regional prices and consumption frequency of fruit/vegetables and snack items among elementary school children in the USA. Observational study using individual-level survey data of fifth-grade children (average age 11 years) and regional food prices based on store visits in 2004. Dependent variables are self-reported consumption frequency in fifth grade; primary explanatory variables are metropolitan area food prices relative to cost of living. Multivariate regression analysis. Price variation across metropolitan areas exists, and lower real prices for vegetables and fruits predict significantly higher intake frequency. Higher dairy prices predict lower frequency of milk consumption, while higher meat prices predict increased milk consumption. Similar price effects were not found for fast food or soft drink consumption. The geographic variation in food prices across the USA is sufficiently large to affect dietary patterns among youth for fruit, vegetables and milk. The price variation is either too small to affect children's consumption frequency of fast food or soft drinks, or the consumption of these foods is less price sensitive.

Socio-economic status, racial composition and the affordability of fresh fruits and vegetables in neighborhoods of a large rural region in Texas

BackgroundLittle is known about how affordability of healthy food varies with community characteristics in rural settings. We examined how the cost of fresh fruit and vegetables varies with the economic and demographic characteristics in six rural counties of Texas.MethodsGround-truthed data from the Brazos Valley Food Environment Project were used to identify all food stores in the rural region and the availability and lowest price of fresh whole fruit and vegetables in the food stores. Socioeconomic characteristics were extracted from the 2000 U.S. Census Summary Files 3 at the level of the census block group. We used an imputation strategy to calculate two types of price indices for both fresh fruit and fresh vegetables: a high variety and a basic index; and evaluated the relationship between neighborhood economic and demographic characteristics and affordability of fresh produce, using linear regression models.ResultsThe mean cost of meeting the USDA recommendation of fruit consumption from a high variety basket of fruit types in our sample of stores was just over $27.50 per week. Relying on the three most common fruits lowered the weekly expense to under $17.25 per week, a reduction of 37.6%. The effect of moving from a high variety to a low variety basket was much less when considering vegetable consumption: a 4.3% decline from $29.23 to $27.97 per week. Univariate regression analysis revealed that the cost of fresh produce is not associated with the racial/ethnic composition of the local community. However, multivariate regression showed that holding median income constant, stores in neighborhoods with higher percentages of Black residents paid more for fresh fruits and vegetables. The proportion of Hispanic residents was not associated with cost in either the univariate or multivariate analysis.ConclusionThis study extends prior work by examining the affordability of fresh fruit and vegetables from food stores in a large rural area; and how access to an affordable supply of fresh fruit and vegetables differs by neighborhood inequalities. The approach and findings of this study are relevant and have important research and policy implications for understanding access and availability of affordable, healthy foods.

Analysing the maintenance and establishment of orchard meadows at farm and landscape levels applying a spatially explicit integrated modelling approach

Landscape elements can enhance the ecological and social value of agricultural landscapes. Orchard meadows are traditional landscape elements in Central Europe, but have deteriorated for decades due to their adverse economic effects. We apply an integrated modelling framework to assess the farm profitability of orchard meadows as well as the effectiveness of measures in the Austrian agri-environmental programme to maintain existing and establish new sites. The model results indicate that current market prices for fruits and harvest productivity levels are not sufficient to support the maintenance of existing sites. The model results also indicate that the agri-environmental measures are effective in maintaining orchard meadows, but are insufficient to make all existing sites profitable or support further establishments. Consequently, alternative policy options will aim at increasing harvest efficiencies (e.g. harvest mechanisation co-operatives), at adding value to orchard fruits (e.g. fruit processing options), and at reducing labour costs by improving seasonal labour availability.

Cost-Effectiveness of Interventions to Promote Fruit and Vegetable Consumption

BackgroundFruits and vegetables are an essential part of the human diet, but many people do not consume the recommended serves to prevent cardiovascular disease and cancer. In this research, we evaluate the cost-effectiveness of interventions to promote fruit and vegetable consumption to determine which interventions are good value for money, and by how much current strategies can reduce the population disease burden.Methods/Principal FindingsIn a review of published literature, we identified 23 interventions for promoting fruit and vegetable intake in the healthy adult population that have sufficient evidence for cost-effectiveness analysis. For each intervention, we model the health impacts in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), the costs of intervention and the potential cost-savings from averting disease treatment, to determine cost-effectiveness of each intervention over the lifetime of the population, from an Australian health sector perspective. Interventions that rely on dietary counselling, telephone contact, worksite promotion or other methods to encourage change in dietary behaviour are not highly effective or cost-effective. Only five out of 23 interventions are less than an A$50,000 per disability-adjusted life year cost-effectiveness threshold, and even the most effective intervention can avert only 5% of the disease burden attributed to insufficient fruit and vegetable intake.Conclusions/SignificanceWe recommend more investment in evaluating interventions that address the whole population, such as changing policies influencing price or availability of fruits and vegetables, to see if these approaches can provide more effective and cost-effective incentives for improving fruit and vegetable intake.

Neighbourhood deprivation and the price and availability of fruit and vegetables in Scotland

Previous research has suggested that fruits and vegetables are more expensive and less readily available in more deprived communities. However, this evidence is mainly based on small samples drawn from specific communities often located in urban settings and thus is not generalisable to national contexts. The present study explores the influence of neighbourhood deprivation and local retail structure on the price and availability of fruit and vegetables in a sample of areas representing the diversity of urban-rural environments across Scotland, UK. A sample of 310 stores located in 10 diverse areas of Scotland was surveyed and data on the price and availability of a basket of 15 fruit and vegetable items were collected. The data were analysed to identify the influence of store type and neighbourhood deprivation on the price and availability of fruits and vegetables. Neighbourhood deprivation and store type did not significantly predict the price of a basket of fruit and vegetables within the sample, although baskets did decrease in price as store size increased. The highest prices were found in the smallest stores located in the most deprived areas. Availability of fruit and vegetables is lower in small shops located within deprived neighbourhoods compared to similar shops in affluent areas. Overall, availability increases with increasing store size. Availability of fruit and vegetables significantly varies by neighbourhood deprivation in small stores. Policies aimed at promoting sales of fruit and vegetable in these outlets may benefit residents in deprived areas.

Problems Confronted by Longan Growers in Northern Thailand After the Adoption of Potassium Chlorate

Interviews with longan growers were carried out in Sarapee and Chaiprakarn in Chiang Mai province, northern Thailand, in order to determine whether or not the application of potassium chlorate (KC1O3) to longan trees improved flowering intensity and yield in commercial orchards. KC1O3 application increased the ratio of inflorescences to total number of shoots and fruit yield in the central part of Chiang Mai province (Sarapee). However, fruit size and thickness of the exocarp were decreased, resulting in a lower fruit price. Sales were not increased by the use of KC1O3. In northern Chiang Mai (Chaiprakarn), KC103 application shortened the time until harvest when applied in December, enabling the off season production of fruits. Therefore, KC103 application increased the price and sales of longan fruits. These results suggest that the effect of KC1O3 application on the profitability of longan cultivation is dependent on climatic conditions.

The First World War and Working-Class Food Consumption in Britain

In this paper we reassess the food consumption and dietary impact of the regimes of food and food price control and eventually, food rationing, that were introduced in Britain during the First World War. At the end of the War the Sumner Committee was convened to investigate into effects of these controls on the diets of working class families. With the help of some of the original returns of an earlier 1904 survey, we are able to reassess the Sumner Committee findings. We find that although calories intakes did not fall for households headed by unskilled workers, there were substantial falls for skilled workers' households. We also find that the price controls were particularly effective in changing the pattern of food spending. In particular, because the prices of many fruits and vegetables were allowed to rise very much more than other foodstuffs, there were large falls in the intakes of nutrients most associated with these foods, to average levels well below today's recommended intakes.

INVESTING IN FRUIT COOLERS AS A FORM OF ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENTAL POLICY

In contemporary business environment when Serbian joining to European Union is expected, enterprises competitiveness significantly depends on determination and application of appropriate developmental policy. To apply developmental policy it is very important to provide appropriate financing sources. Therefore, in this paper is analyzed situation that face most of Serbian fruit producers. The producers (within their developmental policy) put on first place construction of appropriate coolers. In such a way it is possible to facilitate expansion to European market and to achieve higher fruit prices. Cooler construction requires significant financial resources, thus in the paper have been analyzed economic profitability and financial feasibility of such investment. In that sense an example of container cooler for apple storage has been used as a variant which is the most common in practice. It is determined that cooler construction is economically profitable and financially feasible, while most of the investment could be financed by commercial bank loans. Construction of such coolers would significantly contribute to development of rural areas in Serbia.

U.S. Demand for Organic and Conventional Fresh Fruits: The Roles of Income and Price

Using retail purchase data reported by Nielsen’s Homescan panel this study investigates the U.S. demand for organic and conventional fresh fruits. The study fills an important research void by estimating the much needed income and price elasticities for organic and conventional fruits utilizing a censored demand approach. Household income is found to affect organic fruit consumption. Consumers are more responsive to price of organic fruits than to price of conventional fruits. Cross-price effects suggest that a change in relative prices will more likely induce consumers to “cross-over” from buying conventional fruits to buying organic fruits, while it is less likely that organic consumers will “revert” to buying conventional fruits.

Sustainability of Fresh Fruit Certifications: Willingness to Pay Measures

This study analyzes sustainability of fresh fruit certifications using consumers' willingness-to-pay measures of 12 different kinds of fruits. Consumers tended to pay higher prices for fruit certifications when retail prices of fruits were relatively high. If certified fruits were purchased for gifts, purchasing quantities tended to be larger for fruits of high retail prices like wax apples, Indian jujubes, and grapes. If certified fruits were purchased for household consumption, low-priced fruits like guava, honeydew, cantaloupe, pineapples, grapefruits, and papaya tended to be purchased in large quantities. Fresh fruit certifications can be sustainable if marketing strategies are well targeted to customers.

STRAWBERRY NITROGEN FERTILIZATION FROM ORGANIC NUTRIENT SOURCES

Organic strawberry production is increasing in California in response to growing demand and more stable or higher prices for organic fruits in the US and international markets. In 2007, 4.0% of total strawberry acreage in California was farmed organically, but there has not been a solid base of information for growers to develop cultural practices for organic production. In this paper, we review current nitrogen (N) management practices and discuss challenges associated with N management in organic strawberry production in California. The N availability is critical for early plant development on which fruit yield and quality depend. Studies indicate that the synchrony of N supply from organic nutrient sources with crop N demand is inconsistent and unpredictable with organic nutrient sources compared to soluble conventional N materials. Organic growers apply compost, manures, or green manures three to eight weeks before planting for early N nutrition. In addition, growers supplement the pre-plant incorporated fertilizer materials with pre-plant granular or pelleted materials band-applied below the transplant. Studies have shown that most incorporated N materials are completely mineralized by six to eight weeks and thus, it is difficult to plan pre-plant incorporated N programs to match transplanted strawberry plant N needs. One study reported high N loss from an organic strawberry farm during the winter rains. Growers also supplement preplant application with different liquid organic materials injected through the drip irrigation system, but dosage and timing are uncertain. Liquid organic materials are continually and unpredictably transformed by bacteria, they lack uniformity, and a portion of the N is in suspended solids that may be filtered out or lost behind drip orifices. Data from recent strawberry N fertilization trials - including N absorption patterns and N availability from cover crops - are now beginning to answer some of the key questions for organic strawberry producers.

STRAWBERRY PRODUCTION WITH PROTECTED CULTURE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Total and marketable yield, fruit size and fruit rot were evaluated for 'Camarosa' and 'Ventana' strawberry cultivars grown with or without protected culture in southern California in 2003 and 2004. In both years, bare-root transplants were established on October 5 using standard production methods. Fifty-five days after transplanting, metal posts and arcs were positioned over portions of the field and covered with 0.0324 m-thick clear polyethylene tarp to create structures 4.9 m wide, 25 m long, and 3.5 m high. Each tunnel covered three contiguous strawberry beds, and experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replications, with individual plots consisting of 20 plants. In 2003, early season (January-April 1) marketable yields in tunnels were 90% and 84% greater than outdoor culture for Ventana and Camarosa, respectively. In 2004, use of tunnels resulted in a 140% marketable yield increase for Ventana and 62% for Camarosa (January-March 31), however unusually high temperatures (38°C) in April resulted in reduced yields in tunnels thereafter. In both years, increased early production coincided with highest fresh market fruit prices, resulting in $ 14,000-18,500 ha -1 greater returns compared to open field production. For both cultivars, tunnel production resulted in 45-76% fewer non-marketable fruit due to less rain damage, better fruit shape, and decreased incidence of Botrytis cinerea. For all treatments, fruit size decreased as season progressed and this effect was more pronounced in tunnels after April. Overall, these studies indicate that tunnels have considerable potential for enhancing early-season production and profitability of strawberries in southern California.

The Current Low Inflation: Concern of the Poor and Vulnerable People

From the beginning of the year 2009 inflation in India has been declining and people were heaving a sigh of relief that in the New Year at least things will not be as costly as in 2008. But when in the month of March, 2009 inflation went below 1%, people started thinking that when inflation is so low then how the prices of rice, wheat, pulses, vegetables and fruits are soaring. Food prices are important for majority of the Indian population because high food prices immediately put constraint on their expenditure budget. But soaring food prices remained an on and off issue both before the 15th Lok Sabha election and thereafter. This paper sheds some light on the plight of the poor and vulnerable section of the society who feels neglected during this phase of low inflation.

Trends in affordability of the Illawarra Healthy Food Basket 2000–2007

AbstractAims: The Illawarra Healthy Food Basket was developed as one measure to monitor the affordability of healthy eating in Australia. It consists of 57 items selected to meet the nutritional requirements of a reference family of five. The basket was first costed in the Illawarra region of Australia in 2000 and again in 2001 and 2003. The present study aimed to repeat the costing of the basket in 2005 and 2007 and to assess the trends in affordability since 2000.Methods: Costing was carried out in the same five suburbs as previous surveys, using a large supermarket, greengrocer and butcher from each. Comparison data included: welfare entitlements obtained from Centrelink, average weekly earnings and the consumer price index for food.Main outcome measures: The average weekly cost of the Illawarra Healthy Food Basket in 2005 and 2007, and trends in the costs compared with changes in average weekly earning and welfare benefits for the reference family.Results: The total cost of the Illawarra Healthy Food Basket in 2007 was $242.49, an increase of 20.4% since 2000, with the greatest increases in the prices of vegetables (55.7%) and fruit (46.7%). Fruits, vegetables and meat were cheaper at independent grocers and butchers than in supermarkets. The percentage of average weekly earning or welfare payments required to purchase the Illawarra Healthy Food Basket remained stable at slightly below 30%.Conclusion: These results indicate that the affordability of healthy eating has remained relatively constant from 2000 to 2007, but the significant increases in fruit and vegetable prices might be making healthy food choices more difficult.

Food prices, access to food outlets and child weight

This study examines the importance of food prices and restaurant and food store outlet availability for child body mass index (BMI). We use the 1998, 2000 and 2002 waves of the child–mother merged files from the 1979 cohort of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth combined with fruit and vegetable and fast food price data obtained from the American Chamber of Commerce Researchers Association and outlet density data on fast food and full-service restaurants and supermarkets, grocery stores and convenience stores obtained from Dun & Bradstreet. Using a random effects estimation model, we found that a 10% increase in the price of fruits and vegetables was associated with a 0.7% increase in child BMI. Fast food prices were not found to be statistically significant in the full sample but were weakly negatively associated with BMI among adolescents with an estimated price elasticity of −0.12. The price estimates were robust to whether we controlled for outlet availability based on a per capita or per land area basis; however, the association between food outlets and child BMI differed depending on the definition. The associations of fruit and vegetable and fast food prices with BMI were significantly stronger both economically and statistically among low- versus high-socioeconomic status children. The estimated fruit and vegetable and fast food price elasticities were 0.14 and −0.26, respectively, among low-income children and 0.09 and −0.13, respectively, among children with less educated mothers.

The Effects of Reflective Film on Fruit Color, Quality, Canopy Light Distribution, and Profitability of ‘Mondial Gala’ Apples

The effects of covering the orchard floor with Extenday™ or Solarmate™ reflective films on fruit color, fruit quality, canopy light distribution, orchard temperature, and profitability of ‘Mondial Gala’ apples (Malus ×domestica) were evaluated over a 3-year period (2000–02) at Lleida (northeastern Spain). Reflective film was laid down 5 weeks before commercial harvest. Photosynthetically active radiation in the lowest part of the tree (1 m aboveground level) increased by 34% and 56%, for Solarmate™ and Extenday™ films, respectively, compared with the control. Fruit color, measured with a portable tristimulus colorimeter, significantly increased on both sides of the fruit (with lower values of L* and hue) when using the film. A higher proportion of red blush over the fruit surface was observed for the fruit in the film treatments. Based on the fruit size and color required to meet European Union grade standards, the use of Extenday™ or Solarmate™ resulted in an increase of 26% and 17%, respectively, when compared with the control, for the number of fruit picked at first harvest. Season clearly affected fruit color development, whereas harvest date, fruit firmness, fruit size, soluble solid concentration, titratable acidity, and maturity were not consistently affected by the use of reflective film. Despite the advance in fruit color, the starch score did not appear to be affected by the use of film. Based on current fruit prices for the study period, both types of film increased orchard profitability compared with the control, but the long-term benefit of this technique will largely depend on fruit prices.

The Effects of Reflective Film on Fruit Color, Quality, Canopy Light Distribution, and Profitability of ‘Mondial Gala’ Apples

The effects of covering the orchard floor with Extenday™ or Solarmate™ reflective films on fruit color, fruit quality, canopy light distribution, orchard temperature, and profitability of ‘Mondial Gala’ apples (Malus ×domestica) were evaluated over a 3-year period (2000–02) at Lleida (northeastern Spain). Reflective film was laid down 5 weeks before commercial harvest. Photosynthetically active radiation in the lowest part of the tree (1 m aboveground level) increased by 34% and 56%, for Solarmate™ and Extenday™ films, respectively, compared with the control. Fruit color, measured with a portable tristimulus colorimeter, significantly increased on both sides of the fruit (with lower values of L* and hue) when using the film. A higher proportion of red blush over the fruit surface was observed for the fruit in the film treatments. Based on the fruit size and color required to meet European Union grade standards, the use of Extenday™ or Solarmate™ resulted in an increase of 26% and 17%, respectively, when compared with the control, for the number of fruit picked at first harvest. Season clearly affected fruit color development, whereas harvest date, fruit firmness, fruit size, soluble solid concentration, titratable acidity, and maturity were not consistently affected by the use of reflective film. Despite the advance in fruit color, the starch score did not appear to be affected by the use of film. Based on current fruit prices for the study period, both types of film increased orchard profitability compared with the control, but the long-term benefit of this technique will largely depend on fruit prices.

El sudeste andaluz: incertidumbres comerciales de una agricultura productivista

The fruit and vegetable sector of southeastern Andalusia is one of the most important districts of fruit and vegetable production in Spain. The dynamism of the agronomic model developed is based on the constant increase of productivity and the exterior projection of production. At present, the sector is increasingly concerned about the decrease of producer profitability, due to increased production costs which are not followed by a proportional increase of productivity and of fruit and vegetable prices. In keeping with this situation, the productive structure of the sector is analysed, focusing on the recent evolution of yields, costs and exports, without forgetting the impact caused in the sector by international farming regulations and by the elements in favour of identifying it as an industrial district.

Trends in U.S. food prices, 1950–2007

The potential effect that food prices may have on the health of the U.S. population needs to be further explored, particularly in light of the rising food prices currently being observed. Declining food prices over time have been singled out as a main contributor, for example, to the rising trend in obesity. In this paper we use data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the American Chamber of Commerce Researchers Association, the Consumer Expenditure Survey, and the United States Department of Agriculture to analyze trends in various types of food prices, to create a food price index, and to estimate the price of a calorie. Results may be used by future researchers in estimating the health implications of these trends. We find that while the general trend in food prices has been declining, that of restaurant meal prices and prices of fruits and vegetables has risen over time. It is doubtful that the decline in food prices has been sufficiently large to account for the large increase in caloric intake that is said to have contributed to the obesity epidemic in the U.S.