The U.S. produce industry: labor-intensive commodities in a global market.

摘要

The US fruit and vegetable industry competes in a global economy with producers from other countries who often have much lower wages. With increasing trade, competitive pressures are greater than ever. Growers are concerned about the potential for higher wages in the USA. Labour is just one input in a complex production process, and growers would have several options if wages rose. This paper uses case studies of raisins, oranges, lettuce, strawberries, and asparagus (none of these crops are completely mechanized) to demonstrate the variety of possible adjustments to higher wage rates: mechanization, adoption of labour aids, passing on some costs to consumers, and declining domestic production accompanied by increased imports (or decreased exports).