Fruit

Abstract

Abstract American households or consumer units spend an average $12 a week on fresh fruits and vegetables. Farmers receive a third of the retail price of apples and lettuce, and farm labor costs are a third of farm revenue, so a $2 pound of apples or a $2 head of lettuce generates $0.66 for farmers and $0.22 for farm workers. The choice between machines, migrants, and imports varies by commodity. Blueberry and raisin grape farms are likely to mechanize because machines are available and imports limit price increases, while apple, table grape, and strawberry farms are likely to employ more migrant guest workers until a combination of biological and engineering advances leads to mechanization in these commodities.