Producing Fresh Winter Vegetables in Florida and Mexico: Costs and Competition

摘要

Mexico and Florida supply most of the fresh winter vegetables for the U.S. market. Florida's share of the market declined between 1968 and 1978, but recovered partially from 1973 through 1976. Florida tomato growers enjoy a net competitive advantage over Mexican growers. Mexican growers have a net advantage in producing and marketing green peppers and cucumbers. Any advantage in eggplant production is unclear. Florida may continue to strengthen its general competitive position because Mexico's higher internal rate of inflation keeps pushing up its production costs faster.