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The U.S. Produce Industry and Labor: Facing the Future in a Global Economy

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  • Calvin, Linda
  • Martin, Philip

Abstract

Fruit and vegetable production is a labor-intensive process, and over half of the hired workers employed by growers are believed to be unauthorized immigrants. Reforms to immigration laws, if they reduce the labor supply, may increase the cost of farm labor. The authors of this report assess how particular fruit and vegetable commodities might adjust if labor rates increased. Analysis of case studies suggests a range of possible adjustment scenarios, including increased mechanization for some crops, reduced U.S. output for a few crops, and increased use of labor aids to improve labor productivity for others.

Suggested Citation

  • Calvin, Linda & Martin, Philip, 2010. "The U.S. Produce Industry and Labor: Facing the Future in a Global Economy," Economic Research Report 262245, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:uersrr:262245
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.262245
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cook, Roberta L., 2001. "Emerging Trade Practices And Trends In The Fruit And Vegetable Markets," Agricultural Outlook Forum 2001 33077, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Outlook Forum.
    2. Calvin, Linda & Cook, Roberta L. & Denbaly, Mark & Dimitri, Carolyn & Glaser, Lewrene K. & Handy, Charles R. & Jekanowski, Mark D. & Kaufman, Phillip R. & Krissoff, Barry & Thompson, Gary D. & Thornsb, 2001. "U.S. Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Marketing: Emerging Trade Practices, Trends, and Issues," Agricultural Economic Reports 33915, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    3. Huffman, Wallace, 2007. "Demand for Farm Labor in the Coastal Fruit and Salad Bowl States Relative to Midland States: Four Decades of Experience," Staff General Research Papers Archive 12827, Iowa State University, Department of Economics.
    4. Cook, Roberta L. & Calvin, Linda, 2005. "Greenhouse Tomatoes Change the Dynamics of the North American Fresh Tomato Industry," Economic Research Report 7244, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    5. Schimmelpfennig, David E. & Heisey, Paul W., 2009. "U.S. Public Agricultural Research: Changes in Funding Sources and Shifts in Emphasis, 1980-2005," Economic Information Bulletin 58314, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Philip L. Martin, 2013. "Migration and US agricultural competitiveness," Migration Letters, Migration Letters, vol. 10(2), pages 159-179, May.
    2. Amy M. G. Kandilov & Ivan T. Kandilov, 2020. "The minimum wage and seasonal employment: Evidence from the US agricultural sector," Journal of Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 60(4), pages 612-627, September.
    3. Li, Yi & Huang, Kuan-Ming & Guan, Zhengfei, 2024. "Mechanization and Farm Profit: Model and Application to Specialty Crops," 2024 Annual Meeting, July 28-30, New Orleans, LA 344053, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    4. Escalante, Cesar L. & Cowart, Watson L. & Shonkwiler, Vanessa P., 2023. "Coping with Delayed H-2A Worker Arrivals during the Pandemic," Journal of the ASFMRA, American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, vol. 2023, January.
    5. Riccardo Lo Bianco & Primo Proietti & Luca Regni & Tiziano Caruso, 2021. "Planting Systems for Modern Olive Growing: Strengths and Weaknesses," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-18, May.

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